Tacoma man among those to be honored at safety conference

A Tacoma man is among 27 lifesaving heroes to be honored by Gov. Gary Locke at the 52nd Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference to be held later this month.

Wendell Daniels, a Tacoma Public Utilities employee, and his wife were shopping at Costco, when she noticed and pointed out a very red-faced man with his hands to his throat. Mr. Daniels immediately asked the man if he needed assistance, and then proceeded to perform the Heimlich maneuver, saving the man from choking.

The annual and safety and health conference is set for Sept. 17-Sept. 18, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle.

The awards will be presented during the opening session, which begins at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 17.

The conference is co-sponsored by the governor the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Advisory Board and the state Department of Labor and Industries.