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OSHA News Release: [10/07/2002] Contact Name: Frank
Meilinger Phone Number: (202) 693-1999
OSHA: ¡Listos para ayudarle!
WASHINGTON A new Spanish language publication, OSHA:
¡Listos para ayudarle! (OSHA: Ready to Help You!), is the
newest piece in a growing number of programs and products intended to help
Spanish-speaking employers and employees reduce injuries, illnesses, and death
on the job.
We continue to be troubled by the high fatality rate among
Hispanic and Latino workers, said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.
That is why is our Hispanic Outreach Task Force is continuing to find
more and better ways to reach Spanish speaking workers and employers with
information that can help save their lives. We think we have made some progress
in the construction industry, but we need to expand our efforts in other
areas.
OSHAs new brochure, which explains the various services, programs
and tools that agency offers, is part of a growing effort to reach Spanish
speaking workers and employers. Other products include a Spanish language web
site, www.osha.gov/as/opa/spanish/;
new data collection efforts to pinpoint safety and health problems among
non-English-speaking employees and employers; and a Spanish language options
for OSHAs toll-free help line, 1-800-321-OSHA. The agency also offers
training classes in Spanish in some parts of the country and works with
community organizations to improve outreach efforts.
The disproportionately high number of work-related deaths suffered
by non-English-speakingincluding Hispanicworkers is of grave
concern to us. These workers are among the most vulnerable in America,
said OSHA Administrator John L. Henshaw. One of the major issues in
improving safety of workers is communicating in a language they understand.
Publications like our new one help us reach more employers and workers with our
safety and health message.
OSHA established its Hispanic Outreach Task Force last year after the
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a disturbing increase in the fatality rate
among Hispanic workers. New data from BLS, released on Sept. 25, 2002, showed
that the fatality rate for Hispanic workers increased by nine percent in 2001.
But the higher numbers reflected deaths in the services and agriculture
industries, rather than in construction as in prior years.
The new Spanish-language brochure is available on OSHAs website at
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/listos_ayudarle.pdf.
Or call 1-800-321-OSHA for a printed copy.
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