Region VII Working With the Consulate of Mexico in Omaha to provide outreach and
training to Hispanic workers in Nebraska
Improving the health and safety of Hispanic workers in Nebraska is the goal of
the OSHA Region VII Omaha, Nebraska Area Office and Consulate of Mexico in
Omaha, Nebraska Alliance signed on January 13, 2006. The Alliance focuses on
providing information, guidance, and access to training resources in an effort
to help Mexican citizens working in Nebraska protect their working conditions
and labor rights, including their health and safety with particular emphasis in
the construction, meat packing, and migrant farming industries. The Nebraska
Workers’ Compensation Court, Nebraska Workforce Development - Safety and Labor
Law, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division are also
signatories of the Alliance agreement. "This Alliance is the first in the
Midwest with the Mexican Consulate," said Charles E. Adkins, Regional
Administrator, OSHA Region VII, Kansas City, Missouri.
Through the Alliance, OSHA and the Consulate of Mexico in Omaha are working to
protect the health and safety of Hispanic workers through a number of
activities, including developing and delivering training programs, speaking and
exhibiting at conferences and meetings, sharing best practices and approaches,
and distributing Spanish-language workplace safety and health outreach
materials. For example, the Alliance sponsored three train-the-trainer sessions
training a total of 15 Hispanic community leaders. Representatives from the
Alliance delivered presentations about services their organizations offer to
Hispanic workers, distributed copies of their organizations Spanish-language
safety and health materials, and answered questions. The sessions also included
discussions about the workplace issues facing Mexicans and other immigrants in
Nebraska.
The Alliance also sponsored outreach events during Bi-National Health Week in
2006 and 2007 in Omaha, Nebraska. Bi-National Health Week, which is observed in
approximately 25 states, is the result of an agreement between Mexico and the
U.S. to provide health-related training to Hispanics living and working in the
U.S. As part of the program, a representative from the Omaha Area Office
delivered in Spanish an "All About OSHA" presentations with special emphasis on
employee workplace safety and health rights. The Omaha Area Office also staffed
exhibit booths, distributed copies of the Agency’s Spanish-language safety and
health materials, and answered questions from many of the approximately 500
people who attended each year’s event.
Through the Alliance, the Omaha Area Office regularly provides the Mexican
Consulate with copies of the Agency’s Spanish-language safety and health
materials for display in the Consulate’s waiting area and for distribution at
the Consulates “Mobile Consulate” outreach activities throughout the state. The
Omaha Area Office also provided the Mexican Consulate with a DVD containing
OSHA’s public service announcements (PSAs) in Spanish to be played periodically
in the Consulate’s waiting area. The PSAs provide information about employee
workplace safety and health rights and promote the OSHA Web site and the
Agency’s national hotline with a Spanish-language option. Lastly, the Omaha Area
Office provides Hispanic community leaders and advocates with a monthly e-mail
update which includes English as a second language-related information,
including regulatory updates, worker fatality data, and training and outreach
opportunities.
"The Alliance is a unique opportunity for our staff to work with the Mexican
Consulate to educate, train, and inform Hispanic workers about OSHA programs and
their worker rights" said Ben Bare, Director, OSHA Region VII, Omaha, Nebraska
Area Office. "Hopefully, our combined effort will help reduce the high number of
injuries and illnesses seen in the Hispanic workforce."
The OSHA Region VII and Consulate of Mexico in Omaha, Nebraska Alliance was
renewed on October 23, 2008.
For more information on this Alliance, contact
Doug Fletcher.
-- As of December 2008.
Alliance Between OSHA Region VII Omaha Area Office and Omaha
Public Schools – Career Center Trains High-School Students
Signed on March 2, 2005, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Region VII Omaha,
Nebraska Area Office and Omaha Public Schools Career Center (OPS-CC) Alliance works to educate the
center's 500 students about the importance of safety and health in the workplace. The Alliance
particularly focuses on offering the 30-35 students in the OPS-CC Construction Academy, which is a
2-year program for juniors and seniors, access to multiple safety training resources in the
construction industry. The Academy also encourages students to stay in school and work to improve
their performance in their selected areas of interest and helps them adapt their education to deal
with the situations the students will encounter when they enter the workforce.
Through the Alliance, Omaha Area Office representatives Doug Fletcher, Compliance Assistance
Specialist, Phil Pisasale, Compliance Safety and Health Officer and Darwin Craig, Assistant Area
Director and safety directors from the area's construction industry provided the agency's 10-hour
OSHA Construction Outreach Training Program to Construction Academy juniors. The training was
divided into five 2-hour segments that covered a number of topics, including cranes and hoists,
tools, electrical, stairways and ladders, scaffolds, fall protection, excavation, and personal
protective equipment.
All of the students who took the training were given OSHA 10-hour student completion cards at an
awards ceremony attended by construction industry representatives, OPS administrators, OSHA staff
and the media. During the ceremony, which was coordinated by OSHA staff, several of the recipients
made brief remarks expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to attend the Construction
Academy and take the training course. According to Bill Bare, Area Director, Omaha Area Office the
training prepared the students for employment during the summer between their junior and senior
years at the Academy as well as for a career in construction following graduation. He stated, "The
future of workplace safety and health lies with the young workers who will be entering the
workforce. Our Alliance with the Omaha Public Schools Career Center has been a tremendous success
and we look forward to what the future of this program holds."
In addition, Alliance members are working with the Midwest OSHA Education Centers (MOEC), which
partnered with the Greater Omaha Chapter of the National Safety Council, to offer the OSHA Course
500, Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry to OPS
staff and interested area instructors. Also, the Alliance is providing general workplace information
to OPS-CC students. For example, OSHA staff taught two of the center's classes for grades 9–12 and
provided information on employee rights, such as the right to a safe workplace, and gave an overview
of OSHA and specific safety- and health-related subjects.
As a result of the relationships that were established through the Alliance, OSHA representatives
provided Andrew Naikelis, coordinator, OPS-CC with the names of construction companies with
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) approved worksites that they thought might offer summer
internships to the Construction Academy students who had been awarded the 10-hour card. In response
to these contacts, 12 students were offered internship positions in the areas of computer-assisted
design (CAD), dry walling and carpentry. According to Mr. Naikelis, "This Alliance has added
credibility to the training we provide at the Academy. The students who participated in our summer
internship program reported that their contractor/bosses appreciate that they (the students) have
had OSHA training, and the students realize the benefit of having the training before they go to
work. Having representatives from local contractors working with the students helps to improve
community involvement with the school system. In my opinion, this is something that should be done
with all school systems across the country."
To help assess the direction and activities of the Alliance, Phil Pisasale was invited to join the
Career Center Advisory Board. As a board member he attends the Board's quarterly meetings and meets
regularly with Andrew Naikelis. Together, Andrew, Phil and Doug will be scheduling the training for
the upcoming year. In addition, OPS-CC has asked the Alliance to present the OSHA 10-Hour
Construction Outreach Training Program to all of the OPS industrial science personnel in the middle
and high schools.
For more information about this Alliance, contact
Doug Fletcher or
Phil Pisasale.
-- As of December 2006.
OSHA Region VII Omaha, Nebraska, Area Office and Landscape Industry Alliance Reaching Out to
Employers and Employees in Nebraska
On May 18, 2004, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Region VII Omaha,
Nebraska Area Office signed the Landscape Industry Alliance1 with lawn care and landscaping-related
and government organizations in Nebraska. The Alliance's organizations are working together to
provide training to address industry hazards, such as noise, chemicals, machine guarding,
ergonomics, and weather-related hazards, for youth and Spanish-speaking workers. In addition, the
OSHA and Landscape Industry Alliance is sharing information and providing speakers for forums, round
table discussions and stakeholder meetings.
Through the Alliance's implementation team meetings, OSHA updated the agreement's signatories about
the agency's outreach and enforcement activities. In addition, the Nebraska Golf Course
Superintendents Association (NGCSA) invited OSHA to attend its December 2004 board meeting. As a
result, Brad Wood, an Industrial Hygienist in the Omaha Area Office, gave a presentation to the
meeting's attendees on recordkeeping, hazard communication and how to train Hispanic workers. During
the presentation, George Ramirez of United States Department of Labor (USDOL) Wage & Hour Division
also discussed youth labor laws and overtime issues. Mr. Wood also participated in roundtable
discussions during the Sports Turf Managers Association's (STMA) December 2004 and December 2005
chapter meetings in Grand Island and Hastings, Nebraska.
The Alliance signatories are also sharing information and with other landscape-related organizations
in the state. For example, the Nebraska Turfgrass Association (NTA) invited representatives from the
Omaha Area Office, Nebraska Professional Lawn Care Association (NPLCA), NGCSA, and STMA to give
presentations and exhibit during its annual Turfgrass Conferences in 2005 and 2006. (NTA is a
non-profit trade association that represents the turf industry in Nebraska.)
During the conferences, the OSHA and Landscape Industry Alliance shared information on best
practices and effective approaches to specific issues and projects regarding lawn care and
landscaping industry hazards, such as noise, chemicals, machine guarding, ergonomics,
weather-related hazards, and the use of personal protective equipment. From its exhibit booth, OSHA
personnel distributed outreach materials to industry safety and health professionals. At the 2006
event, Mr. Wood and Phil Pisasale, another Industrial Hygienist in the Omaha Area Office, also
presented "Safety on the Turf" to the general session of over 300 attendees and participated in a
lengthy question session that followed.
Said Tom Baker, Omaha Field Club Course Superintendent, "The OSHA presentation and question period
at the Turfgrass Conference was certainly useful to our employees. People throughout the landscape
industry were able to address specific concerns." According to Mick Reifert, Vice President NGCSA,
"Brad Wood and Phil Pisasale were able to portray their Agency in a positive way and professional
manner during our contacts with them. The other federal and state organizations were also very
responsive in meeting our requests for information."
The Alliance's participants are also sharing information through a number of industry-related
publications. NGCSA sends out a monthly electronic newsletter that includes information on OSHA
regulatory issues and applicable safety guidelines. NPLCA and STMA have newsletters that include
OSHA compliance assistance and outreach information. In addition, OSHA is sending the NGCSA, NPLCA
and STMA stakeholders emails about news, updates or alerts from the agency's National, Regional and
Area Offices.
Signatories of the Alliance estimate that through their speaking opportunities and distribution of
outreach materials and publications, they have been able to reach more than 12,000 employers and
employees in Nebraska's lawn care and landscaping industry. In addition, the OSHA and Landscape
Industry Alliance is continuing to grow and the Nebraska Nursery and Landscapers are discussing
becoming a signatory to Alliance agreement in the upcoming year. Members of the Alliance are also
working to make additional new contacts and increase their distribution of outreach materials.
For additional information about this Alliance, contact
Phil Pisasale in the Region VII
Omaha Area Office.
___________________________
1Signatories of the Alliance are: Nebraska Golf Course Superintendents Association (NGCSA),
Nebraska Professional Lawn Care Association (NPLCA), Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA), United
States Department of Labor (USDOL) Wage and Hour Division, State of Nebraska Workforce Development
and Nebraska 21(d) Onsite Consultation Program.
-- As of May 2006.
Alliance Between OSHA Region VII and the Ozark Underground Laboratory Protects Cave
Workers/Visitors and Cave Environments
Since the success story about this Alliance was posted on the
OSHA Web site in June 2005, this Alliance was renewed twice (in 2006 and 2007), and its Cave
Radiation Management Strategy was adopted by the National Caves Association (NCA) as a requirement
for new or continued membership in the Association. The strategy requires each member cave to
prepare a Cave Radiation Management Plan, be monitored by NCA at least once for radon, estimate
the exposure of employees to radon, submit a detailed plan for training employees and managers
about radiation hazards to the Ozark Underground Laboratory (OUL), and adopt best management
practices appropriate to the cave and its facilities. The OUL reviews each Cave Radiation
Management Plan for compliance with the strategy and, if it is in compliance, recommends the cave
to the President of the NCA for certification. The initial certification period is 3 years
followed by recertification every 4 years. As of August 2007, the OUL had reviewed the Plans for
27 caves and recommended 25 for certification; additional information was requested for the other
two submitted plans.
In addition, in October 2006 Tom Aley, President of the OUL, provided training
on the cave radiation issue for 100 attendees at the Annual National Caves
Association Convention.
-- As of February 2008 |
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On August 20, 2003, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Region VII and the
Ozark Underground Laboratory (OUL) signed an Alliance to evaluate the exposures of radon hazards
while protecting the fragile environments of caves, especially show caves visited by the public, and
develop Best Management Practices (BMP) and Regulatory Guidance to minimize exposures in the show
cave industry. Through the Alliance, OSHA and OUL are developing and providing on-site training
on air-sampling strategies at OUL's test cave--Tumbling Creek Cave in Southwest Missouri--and
developing a training and education program to assess radon exposure to all full-time and seasonal
show cave employees and tourists.
The OSHA/OUL Alliance was formed in response to a complaint from an employee alleging that the
caves' tour guides were exposed to excessive levels of radon. According to the U. S. Department of
Health and Human Services, more than 20,000 Americans die each year of radon-related lung cancer;
radon is now considered a significant health hazard. In September and December 2001, OSHA had
monitored Tumbling Creek Caves and its workers to discover whether or not any seasonal variations
existed and learned that they do. After conferring with its Salt Lake Technical Center, OSHA
realized that a valid means of evaluating the significance of these two sampling periods, either
independently or together, did not exist. Overexposure to radon could not be determined.
To further meet the goals of the Alliance, on November 29, 2004, representatives from OSHA's Region
VII area office in Kansas City, Missouri, met with representatives from OUL and the National Caves
Association (NCA). OSHA was represented by Kim Castillon, Assistant Area Director; Mark Branden,
Compliance Assistance Specialist; and Steve Carmichael, Assistant Regional Administrator. OUL was
represented by its owner, Tom Aley, who has studied radon in caves for 25 years. NCA was represented
by its president, John Sagendorf. Together, they discussed the status and direction of the OUL/OSHA
Alliance and toured Tumbling Creek Cave. OUL is a member of the NCA. At the meeting, OSHA
representatives focused their comments on the development of this Alliance, the workings of other
Alliances, and the benefits of existing Alliances with other industries and associations.
Tom Aley of OUL reviewed the monitoring and general findings to date, which included the following
data points:
- Fifty-one of 90 show caves have been monitored;
- Four caves have National Natural Landmark status; five more are pending;
- Ten caves are designated as significant areas, natural areas or state landmarks by their States;
- Three caves are listed as habitats for Federally listed threatened or endangered species; three
provide habitat for State-listed species;
- Seventeen caves have buildings (which are occupied) attached to them; and
- Thirty-two caves do not have occupied buildings attached.
Through the Alliance, OSHA and OUL have developed several BMPs for show caves based upon mean radon
concentrations, which vary widely; natural convective airflow patterns, which can result in
relatively low radon concentrations or have the opposite effect; and operation times, which can vary
from a few months to year-round. Because of the highly variable conditions at show caves, the
partners in this Alliance decided that the objectives of the BMPs could best be met by cave-specific
approaches. OUL is planning on monitoring at least 10 more caves as it continues to work on a draft
Cave Management Plan for OSHA approval.
Also at the November 2004 meeting, John Sagendorf discussed the NCA and its commitment to reducing
radon exposure at NCA show caves. He suggested that as soon as a Cave Management Plan outline is
approved, the caves involved immediately begin development of a specific Management Plan for
approval by OUL. Mr. Sagendorf also stressed that while current NCA membership requires
participation in and contribution to funding the radon study, a future NCA membership requirement
will be the development, implementation and regular reporting and updating of a cave-specific Cave
Management Plan to reduce radon exposure to all employees and visitors.
In a recent article in Cave Talk, the publication
of th NCA, John Sagendorff summarized the progress the the OSHA/OUL Alliance as follows, "OSHA's
support and enthusiasm for our Alliance Agreement are so solid that Kim Castillon, CIH, CSP, OSHA's
Assistant Area Director, Kansas City Area Office, has received approval to present a paper entitled
Alpha Radiation Exposures in Show Caves--Do Old Occupational
Safety and Health Models Fit New Challenges? at the 17th World Congress on Safety and
Health, September 18–22, 2005, in Orlando, Florida. It is the enthusiasm of OSHA, the superb
reputation of the work and study results done by OUL and the support of the NCA that allow this
worldwide presentation to take place."
Kim Castillon responded by saying, "I am very excited about this Alliance and strongly feel like it
is the best one in the country right now…It is my greatest pleasure to provide guidance and
assistance from a regulatory agency and at the same time support the importance of preserving our
natural resources…I am happy to represent a regulatory agency where we can use an alternative
approach to reach a population and industry by methods other than enforcement. After all, our goal
is to keep workers safe which should be proactive and not reactive."
For additional information about this Alliance and it activities, please contact
Jacalyn Wheeler,
OSHA Region VII.
--
As of June 2005; updated February 2008.
Government Agencies Come Together to Form an Alliance to Help Protect
Employees' Health and Safety in OSHA's Region VII
Since the success story about this Alliance was posted on OSHA's
Web site in March 2005, OSHA, the IRS, NDR and NE/OSHA Consultation have engaged in a number of
additional outreach and education activities as a result of the agreement. The Alliance has
disseminated OSHA safety and health resources at expositions in Nebraska. For example, Alliance
representatives distributed information at the Nebraska Safety Council Exposition April 12-13,
2005 in Lincoln, Nebraska. In June 2005, the Alliance held a tax and safety symposium that
provided small business employers with information about compliance with OSHA, IRS and NDR
regulations along with information about OSHA's Onsite Consultation Program.
Because of the Alliance's successful outreach efforts, it was renewed January 12, 2006. According
to Charles E. Adkins, CIH, OSHA Regional Administrator in Kansas City, Missouri, "This Alliance
has gained national recognition for its unique approach to compliance assistance and outreach
through the combined efforts of federal and state agencies. It provides one-stop shopping for
employers by making safety, health, and tax obligation information all available in one location.".
-- As of July 2006 |
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Providing businesses with information, guidance and access to training
resources to help them protect employees' health and safety is the focus of an Alliance between the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Region VII Omaha Area Office, the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS), State of Nebraska Department of Revenue (NDR) and Nebraska's Workforce
Development's – OSHA Consultation Program (NE/OSHA Consultation). The Alliance was signed on
October 16, 2003.
Through the Alliance agreement, the organizations are developing and sharing
information and guidance to help reduce and prevent safety and health hazards
that impact the small business community and address Nebraska's rising number of
fatalities. In addition, the organizations are working to provide voluntary
compliance assistance to help small businesses understand federal and state tax
regulations.
"Approximately 84 percent of all fatality inspections conducted in Nebraska
between Oct. 2000 and May 2003 were in small businesses," said Charles E.
Adkins, CIH, OSHA Regional VII Administrator in Kansas City. "The Alliance has
taken a unique approach to collaboration on behalf of small business by
involving both federal and state agencies," Adkins said. "This combined effort
is the first such Alliance nationwide with an IRS office and the only joint
effort, to date, with a State Department of Revenue."
In addition, Adkins emphasized that by bringing together a number of government
agencies, the Alliance members hope they are more effective in reaching their
customers, many of whom are small businesses.
In 2004, a number of Alliance-sponsored seminars were held for the employees of
the participating organizations and small businesses in the Omaha area. On May
3, representatives from OSHA, IRS, NDR and NE/OSHA Consultation took part in a
cross training session to help educate and provide the Alliance signatories with
information about the missions and goals of the participants. Also, during IRS
Tax Symposiums on August 10 and 17 a representative from the Omaha Area Office
spoke to employers about the Agency and the general requirements of the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The speaker also provided the
seminars' attendees with up-to-date information from the Agency's National
Office in Washington, D.C.
The Alliance participants were also very busy meeting the outreach and
communication goals of the agreement during 2004. OSHA, IRS, NDR and NE/OSHA
Consultation distributed safety and health information and tax information to
employers throughout Nebraska using a variety of venues including the Nebraska
Safety Council Exposition in April, the National Safety Council's Greater Omaha
Chapter Exposition in May and through the Chambers of Commerce in a number of
cities across Nebraska.
In addition, the Alliance participants used email and mailings to share
information with Nebraska's employers. The IRS sent an email to over 74,000
employers and employees with OSHA's website and compliance assistance materials.
Through a combined effort more than 4,700 packets of the Alliance organizations'
information were also mailed to small businesses. The NDR included OSHA's
pamphlet, "Safety and Health Adds Value" pamphlet in its tax withholding package
that was distributed to every employer in Nebraska.
According to OSHA's Omaha Area Office, the IRS has been so impressed with the
results from this Alliance they are considering signing Alliances in Wisconsin
and Kansas that are modeled after this Alliance.
For additional information about this Alliance and it activities, please contact
Jacalyn Wheeler,
OSHA Region VII.
-- As of March 2005; updated July 2006.
Back to Top
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Kansas City Power and Light Company (KCP&L)
Alliance Leads to a Reduction in Overhead Powerline Hazards
Addressing overhead powerline hazards in the telecommunication and cable television installation
industries is the focus of an Alliance agreement between OSHA's Region VII, Kansas City Regional and
Area Offices and the Kansas City Power and Light Company (KCP&L), Kansas City, Missouri. Through the
Alliance signed on July 8, 2003, OSHA and KCP&L have combined resources, including sharing
expertise, technical knowledge and best practices with telecommunication and cable television line
installation contractors. This collaborative effort has led to a significant reduction in the number
of reportable accidents experienced by KCP&L employees and independent contract employees.
Prior to signing the agreement, OSHA and KCP&L worked together to hold an informational
demonstration session for the OSHA staff from the Kansas City and Wichita Area Offices. The event
was held on February 11, 2003, at KCP&L's training site, known as Sub One. Topics covered during the
session included how to identify overhead power lines from other types of lines attached to utility
poles and potential hazards that can occur when lines are not strung properly. The organization also
demonstrated in a controlled setting, what can happen when something comes in contact with energized
power lines. In addition, KCP&L employees illustrated how detrimental work habits endangered the
cable television installers and KCP&L's employees.
KCP&L and OSHA also produced and distributed informational packets to cable television installation
companies. The packets contain materials on safety and health programs in English and Spanish, cable
television line installation hazards, the safety requirements for attaching cabling to utility
poles, and OSHA information including contacts for the Kansas and Missouri State Consultation
Services. KCP&L is planning to mail these packets to tree trimmers in the metropolitan Kansas City
area. In addition, packets are given to cable installers who ask KCP&L for permits to attach their
lines onto the company's poles. Further, the Alliance developed and assembled an employee packet for
distribution to employees in the field.
Since the information packets were first distributed in April, 2004, KCP&L has determined that the
number of reportable accidents for contract employees has been reduced to zero. In addition, KCP&L
has observed that cable television installers are more responsive to their staff's guidance and have
instituted safe work practices. Through distributing the outreach materials to multi-state
employers, the Alliance is also having an impact on workplace safety and health outside of the
metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri area.
KCP&L staff are helping to make others aware of the positive impact of the Alliance and OSHA's
compliance assistance resources through outreach to others involved in the utility industry. On May
25, 2004, Keith Kensinger, KCP&L Distribution Safety Manager and Dale Myers, Superintendent
Contracted Services gave a presentation in Jefferson City, Missouri to the Missouri Public Service
Commission. Approximately 40-50 electrical utilities were represented at the meeting.
Bill Herdegen, Vice President, Distribution Operations at KCP&L said "the KCP&L Alliance agreement
with OSHA has been very beneficial to raise safety awareness within the local telecommunications
industry. We look forward to continuing our relationship with OSHA to proactively educate the public
on safety issues associated with electric utility facilities."
For additional information about this Alliance and it activities, please contact
Jacalyn Wheeler,
OSHA Region VII.
-- As of March 2005.
Back to Top
OSHA, Mexican-American Commission Alliance reaches
out to Hispanic community to prevent construction industry hazards
Since signing their Alliance on November 4, 2002, the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration's (OSHA) Region VII and the Mexican-American Commission
(MAC) of Nebraska are continuing to work together to reduce and prevent
workplace injuries and illnesses. Through the Alliance, OSHA's Region VII and
MAC are sharing best practices and technical knowledge through the dissemination
of OSHA information to Hispanic workers throughout Nebraska.
OSHA's Region VII is also benefiting from networking opportunities with MAC. For
example, MAC has set up an e-mail distribution list to help OSHA's Region VII
staff share information with the Hispanic community on upcoming training
opportunities. Information provided by OSHA's Omaha Area Office about an
OSHA-sponsored construction training seminar in North Platte, NE was recently
featured on the MAC e-mail distribution list. The seminar covered fall
protection, electrical hazards and OSHA targeted inspections. More than 20
people attended this session on November 18, 2003.
In addition, OSHA's Omaha Area Office Compliance Safety and Health Officer
Elizabeth Morales made a presentation in Spanish on OSHA's regulatory
requirements to about 20 participants at the Juan Diego Center in Omaha, NE, a
non-profit training group for Hispanic small business persons. Region VII
anticipates more opportunities for presentations such as this in 2004.
Reducing construction industry hazards is a special emphasis area identified in
OSHA's 2003-2008 Strategic Management Plan (SMP). It is hoped that these
OSHA/MAC Alliance activities will help raise awareness of construction industry
hazards as identified in the OSHA SMP and lead to reductions in injuries and
fatalities in the workplace.
For additional information about this Alliance and it activities, please contact
Jacalyn Wheeler,
OSHA Region VII.
-- As of November 2003.
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