OSHA Promotes Job Safety For Hispanic Employers And Workers

3/17/2004

NEW YORK -- Improving workplace safety and health for Hispanic workers is the goal of a new alliance between the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the New York Metropolitan Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (Metro ASSE).

OSHA Health and Safety alliances are part of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao's ongoing efforts to improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative partnerships. The five OSHA area offices participating in the alliance are in Avenel, Long Island, Bayside, Manhattan, and Tarrytown.

"This alliance with the Metro ASSE is an example of Secretary Elaine L. Chao's commitment to find cooperative ways to improve health and safety for all workers," said Patricia K. Clark, OSHA's regional administrator in New York. "It will enlist the help of experienced safety and health professionals to promote a culture of safety."

Through their alliance, OSHA and the Metro ASSE will develop training in Spanish targeted to Hispanic workers. Hispanics suffered a national total of 840 fatal work injuries in 2002. Offerings will include OSHA's 10- and 30-hour construction and general industry courses in Spanish, through the use of ASSE and OSHA Spanish-speaking trainers.

The participants will also develop workplace safety and health curricula on the proper selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). ASSE will organize and work with their members to deliver general PPE, such as head protection and eye protection to Hispanic participants upon their completion of an OSHA 10- or 30-hour course.

"This alliance will equip Hispanic workers with the tools and know-how to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions or to protect themselves against hazardous conditions encountered in their workplaces," said Diana Cortez, OSHA's Tarrytown area director and regional Hispanic coordinator.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses, and protecting America's workers. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit OSHA.gov.

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