Alliance Will Promote Job Safety for Hispanic Workers

Improving workplace safety and health for Hispanic workers is the goal of a new alliance between the OSHA and the New York Metropolitan Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (Metro ASSE).

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.

The five OSHA area offices participating in the alliance are in Avenel, Long Island, Bayside, Manhattan, and Tarrytown.

"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," says Diana Cortez, OSHA's Tarrytown area director and regional Hispanic coordinator.