Region 6 News Release: 13-1587-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
San Antonio to train construction industry workers

SAN ANTONIO – In its persistent effort to protect immigrant workers employed in the construction industry, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the consulate general of Mexico in San Antonio signed an alliance today to provide safety and health training to Mexican nationals working in the construction industry.

This voluntary alliance provides Spanish-speaking construction workers with training, in Spanish, on workers' rights, OSHA standards, and recognizing construction site hazards, such as falls, struck-by, caught-in-between and electrical.

"Providing training through this alliance is an invaluable resource to those working in the construction industry. Often, Spanish-speaking workers do not know they have the right to a safe and healthy workplace," said Kelly C. Knighton, OSHA's area director in San Antonio.

The signing ceremony was held at the consulate general of Mexico office in San Antonio. The alliance was signed by Knighton and Consul General of Mexico Armando Ortiz Rocha.

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.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's San Antonio office at 210-472-5040.

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.