National News Release
February 25, 2002
Contact: Lydia Kleiner
Phone: (202) 693-1905

Washington, DC -- A new Spanish webpage will help the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reach out to non-English speaking employers and workers, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced today.

"Job safety and health depends on employees and employers knowing what they must do to ensure workplace protections," said Chao. "That starts with understanding vital, basic information about preventing injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Through our new Spanish page, millions more employers and workers in this country will have access to information they can use to make their workplaces safer."

The webpage initially focuses on several areas: an overview of OSHA and its mission; how to file complaints electronically in Spanish; worker and employer rights and responsibilities; and a list of resources for employers and workers. The new page features highlights from the agency's extensive website and offers one-stop service for Spanish-speaking employers and employees. Additional information will be added in months to come.

"One of our top priorities is expanded outreach and education," Chao said. "More than 10 million Americans speak little or no English, and one in five Americans does not speak English at home. Too many of these workers, especially Spanish-speaking workers, have experienced on-the-job injuries, illnesses and fatalities."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2000 the fatality rate for Hispanic employees climbed by more than 11 percent, while deaths for all other groups declined. OSHA is concerned about the safety of Spanish-speaking workers and has established an ongoing effort to reach across language barriers to employers and workers to reduce injuries, illnesses and deaths on the job

The new Spanish-language page can be found at www.osha.gov.