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Hispanic Health Program
COMMUNICATING WORKPLACE
SAFETY AND HEALTH
IN SPANISH
WHAT IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM?
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Since 1992,
work-related fatalities among Hispanic/Latino workers in the United States
have increased by more than 50%. |
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In the year 2000
alone, work-related fatalities among Hispanic/Latino workers increased by
12% in all U.S. industries and by more than 24% in the construction
industry. |
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Few resources are
available to help Spanish-speaking workers and their employers learn
about occupational safety and health. |
WHAT HAS CDC
ACCOMPLISHED?
Each year, CDC communicates key occupational research findings to the
public and decision makers. Targeted efforts to reduce illness and injury
among Hispanic/Latino workers include translating this information into Spanish
and communicating it in ways that are culturally and socially relevant to
them.
Examples of programs in action: |
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CDC’s National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) instituted NIOSH en Español—an
all-Spanish-language web site containing information about NIOSH, Spanish
translations of selected NIOSH publications, and links to other useful
Spanish-language materials on occupational safety and health. |
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CDC began a Spanish-language
answering system for the NIOSH 800-number and a system for responding to
e-mail requests in Spanish. |
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CDC sponsored a National
Academy of Sciences workshop to identify key occupational safety and
health information needs of Spanish-speaking workers, their employers, and
the occupational safety and health community. Invited experts provided
data on the rates of occupational injury and illness for Hispanic/Latino workers,
Spanish-language safety and health information needs and resources, and
best practices for reaching Spanish-speaking audiences. |
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In FY2002, CDC published
Soluciones Simples: Ergonomía Para Trabajadores Agrícolas that
provides illustrated, easy-to-read guidelines and tip sheets for
Spanish-speaking farm workers, their employers, and safety professionals. |
WHAT ARE THE NEXT
STEPS?
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CDC
will develop a strategy for communicating workplace safety and
health information effectively to Spanish-speaking workers, their
employers, and occupational safety and health professionals. |
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CDC
will continue to supplement and enhance the occupational safety and
health information provided on the NIOSH en Español
web site. |
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CDC
will continue to work with partners to explore best practices for
communicating occupational safety and health information to
Hispanic/Latino-owned small businesses and businesses with a large Hispanic/Latino
workforce. |
Back to the Hispanic/Latino Populations Page
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