The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Hispanic Contractors of America Inc. (HCA) are partnering to promote safe and healthful working conditions for Hispanic construction workers. The groups plan to use effective safety and health training and increased access to safety and health resources in Spanish to reduce construction deaths among Hispanic construction workers.
"This alliance will greatly expand OSHA's reach in our effort to provide safety and health information and training to Spanish-speaking workers and employers," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "We wanted to join with others who share our concern and are committed to reducing injuries and illnesses among Hispanic workers. I am delighted that HCA wants to work with us."
Under the alliance, HCA and OSHA will:
- Identify existing safety and health resources available for Spanish speakers and stimulate the development of additional publications and audio-visual products.
- Jointly disseminate safety and health information through conferences, events, community-based activities and electronic media.
- Work with community and faith-based organizations and other leadership groups to build safety and health awareness within the Hispanic community.
- Encourage bilingual individuals in construction to take OSHA's train-the-trainer class so they can teach the 10-hour and 30-hour construction safety and health outreach courses in Spanish.
- Promote and encourage HCA members to participate in OSHA cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, consultation and mentoring.
OSHA and HCA are forming a joint steering committee to implement the alliance. The steering committee will draft procedures for the alliance and develop methods to track, analyze, evaluate and share information on the alliance's activities.
A copy of the alliance agreement is available at www.osha.gov/media/oshnews/mar02/trade-20020305a.html.
edited by Sandy Smith ([email protected])