Fair attendees participate in a safety awareness training
sessions focusing on trenching and excavations. |
To protect the safety and health of Hispanic employees, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Region II Buffalo, New York, Area Office
participated in the 12th Annual Hispanic Family Health and Safety Fair on June
21, 2008, in Buffalo, New York.
Fair attendees received “passports” listing three different safety awareness
training tracks based on age groups: adult, young employees and children. For
the adult track, attendees could choose from 21 safety awareness training
sessions that focused on numerous topics, including electrical safety,
trenching/excavations, and fall hazards. OSHA staff provided these sessions in
Spanish to more than 700 people.
Safety awareness training sessions addressing safety and health topics in the
landscaping and restaurant industries were offered as part of the young employee
track. For children, the Buffalo firefighters staffed a fire safety education
trailer and retired OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialist Mike Casler and staff
from the Erie County Department of Health staffed the House of Hazards exhibit
which helped raise awareness of household hazards such as chemicals. OSHA staff
also maintained an exhibit booth, distributed copies of the Agency’s
Spanish-language safety and health outreach materials and answered questions.
"What a great day this was, with workers and their families enjoying themselves
while receiving important information on identifying and preventing health and
safety hazards both on the job and at home,” said Arthur Dube, OSHA Region II
Area Director, Buffalo, New York Area Office. “Our thanks go out to all who
participated and made this year's fair such a success."
The Fair, which was sponsored by a number of organizations including the OSHA
Region II Buffalo Area Office, the Urban Family Practice (UFP), and the Atlantic
OSHA Training Center, also featured music and health and safety booths. UFP
staff provided wellness screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, asthma, and
cholesterol.
The Fair was open to the public and free; it attracted more than 2,500 people,
an increase of 1,000 people from previous fairs. This was OSHA’s first year
participating in the Fair.
For more information about this event, contact
Gordon Deleys,
Region II Compliance Assistance Specialist, Buffalo, New York.
As of September 2008.
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