I. Alliance Background

Signed - March 21, 2005

Alliance Overview

The Alliance was formed to promote Spanish language safety training, with a focus on the construction industry, to the Hispanic community in the greater Chicago area.

Implementation Team Members

OSHA - Calumet City Area Office
OSHA - Chicago North Area Office
OSHA - Aurora Area Office
Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program
HACIA

Implementation Team Meetings

June 7, 2005

July 26, 2005

December 9, 2005 (Conference Call)

In addition, several telephone calls were dedicated to the OSHA 10 hour courses presented though the alliance in September, 2005.

Evaluation Period.

March 21, 2005 - March 21, 2006

Alliance Activity and Products.

To date, the primary activity undertaken through the alliance has been the Spanish language OSHA 10 hour construction course presented to HACIA members in September 2005. To facilitate attendance by members of HACIA, the 10 hour course was presented in four modules, which each module scheduled for 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Evaluations received from the attendees were very positive, and additional 10 hour courses in this format are under consideration. The alliance has also been able to promote its objectives through OSHA’s attendance at HACIA sponsored functions, including the 2005 and 2006 awards banquets.

Results

Seventeen individuals completed the OSHA 10 hour construction course and received their 10 hour cards. Approximately six individuals attended two or more of the four modules and hope to complete the 10 hour course in the future. An indicated below, additional members of HACIA will attend the upcoming OSHA 10 hour course sponsored by OSHA and several educational institutions in the Chicago area. Contacts with other organizations promoting safety and health issues in the Hispanic community have been initiated through attendance at functions sponsored by HACIA.

Upcoming Milestones

As the Alliance has a primary goal to develop and promote Spanish language safety training an opportunity has been identified to include HACIA membership in other Spanish language projected sponsored by OSHA. Spanish language OSHA 10 hour general industry and construction courses are currently being offered through the cooperative efforts of OSHA, NIU, UIC, Truman College and the Illinois On-Site safety and Health Consultation Program, with a 10 hour construction course scheduled for March, 2006. Rather than the two efforts competing against themselves, the opportunity to include HACIA members in this March 2006 course was identified. If future construction courses are scheduled through these efforts, HACIA members will be included. Otherwise, additional safety courses sponsored through the alliance will be offered to HACIA membership.

Report Prepared by:

William Coulehan - OSHA Calumet City