U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels today issued the following statement regarding training for Gulf Coast oil spill clean-up: "Employees hired to be supervisors in the onshore and marine cleanup are required to receive extensive training. A rigorous 40-hour program is required... In order to meet the certifications...a combination of classroom and hands-on, applicable experience is required. This includes...experience with the equipment needed for the work, safety gear and local environment. We have received reports that some are offering this training in significantly less than 40 hours, showing video presentations and offering only limited instruction. This training cannot be shortened... Moreover, computer-based training...can be used...[but] such training alone does not meet the full course requirements..."