OSHA has renewed alliances with Mexican Consulates in El Paso and Austin to promote worker safety and health. The alliances signed this past week will provide safety and health outreach and training to Mexican nationals working in West and Central Texas.
This voluntary alliance provides Spanish speaking workers with assistance and outreach materials, in Spanish, on workers' rights and OSHA standards. Some of the safety and health issues that will be covered include falls from elevated work surfaces, electrocution, heat illness, exposure to hazardous chemicals, struck-by and caught-in or -between hazards.
"The alliance with the Mexican consulate provides OSHA with a great opportunity to provide safety training and outreach in a native language in an effort to keep Spanish speaking workers safe in the workplace," Diego Alvarado Jr., OSHA's area director in El Paso. "Knowledge is the first step of workplace safety and health, and OSHA is committed to ensuring training is provided in a language that workers can understand."
The alliances are in effect for two years. Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with businesses, trade associations, unions, consulates, professional organizations, faith and community-based organizations, and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses.