[share] Unemployment in Adams County remained steady for the month of September with no change from the previous month and no change from September 2010. Adams County is tied with Joe Davies County at 6.7%  for the 5th lowest unemployment rate in the state of Illinois. Brown County maintains the lowest rate  in the state and remains the only county with unemployment below 5%.

The unemployment rate in Quincy fell 0.1% from August to September and stands at 7.3%. The state of Illinois rate is 9.5% and the United States stands at 8.8%.

For a complete list of unemployment figures across the state, visit the IDES Local Area Unemployment Statistics website.

[share] The Quincy Area Safety Council (QASC) will sponsor a 2011 OSHA Update Course on Thursday, November 10th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Vatterott College in Quincy.

The 2011 OSHA Course is designed and intended to provide an update on the OSHA inspection process, recent changes in penalties, Severe Violators Enforcement Program, effective safety and health programs, OSHA recordkeeping, emergency action plans and more. There will be a time for questions and answers. Registration fees are $40 for members and $55 for non-members. The deadline to register is Monday, November 7th.

Other topics to be covered include:

• OSHA’s National and Local Emphasis Programs
• Global Harmonization System Update
• Hazard Communication
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Electrical Hazards
• Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
• Confined Space Entry

Brian Bothast, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is the instructor. Brian works out of the OSHA Region 5- Peoria Area Office where he has served as Team Leader and Industrial Hygienist. He has worked for Catepillar in the Environmental, Health and Safety Department and has over 20 years of experience in the safety and health field. He is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health.

For more information and to register, visit www.QASC.org or call /email: 217.224.0149 / qasc@adams.net.

The mission of the Quincy Area Safety Council is to improve safety in Quincy and the surrounding area through a network of safety-minded individuals acting to predict, prevent, and minimize accidents.