Region 6 News Release: 13-1656-DAL
Aug. 26, 2013
Contact: Diana Petterson Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: petterson.diana@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA forms alliance with Mexican Consulate
in Austin to promote worker safety and health

AUSTIN – In its ongoing and persistent efforts to protect workers employed in the Austin area, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Consulate General of Mexico in Austin signed an alliance today to provide safety and health outreach and training to Mexican nationals working in Central Texas.

This voluntary alliance provides Spanish speaking workers with assistance and outreach materials, in Spanish, on workers' rights and OSHA standards. Some of the safety and health issues that will be covered include falls from elevated work surfaces, electrocution, heat illness, exposure to hazardous chemicals, struck-by and caught-in or -between hazards.

"The alliance with the Mexican consulate provides OSHA with a great opportunity to provide safety training and outreach in a native language in an effort to keep Spanish speaking workers safe in the workplace," R. Casey Perkins, OSHA's area director in Austin. "Knowledge is the first step of workplace safety and health, and OSHA is committed to ensuring training is provided in a language that workers can understand."

The signing ceremony was held at the Consulate General of Mexico office in Austin. The alliance was signed by R. Casey Perkins and Consul General of Mexico Rosalba Ojeda y Cárdenas.

Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with businesses, trade associations, unions, consulates, professional organizations, faith and community-based organizations, and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/index.html.

More information about this alliance or forming an alliance or partnership can be obtained from OSHA's Austin Area Office, 512-374-0271.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 292-693-7828 or TTY 292-693-7755.