Region 6 News Release: 13-1702-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 El Salvador and Mexican
Consulates in Dallas to promote safety and health in the construction industry

DALLAS, Texas – In its ongoing and persistent efforts to protect workers employed in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the El Salvador and Mexican Consulates General in Dallas signed an alliance today to provide safety and health training to Mexican and Salvadoran nationals working in northern Texas.

This voluntary alliance provides 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. Under this alliance, consulate personnel will work closely with OSHA's Dallas and Fort Worth Area Offices to also enhance ways of communicating workplace safety and health issues to Mexican and Spanish-speaking workers.

"We welcome this unique opportunity to join the Mexican consulate in emphasizing safety and health in the workplace for all workers," said John Hermanson, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. "The combined resources of this relationship will provide education and training to protect those employed in high-risk industries and ultimately save lives."

The signing ceremony was held at the Consulate General of Mexico office in Dallas. The alliance was signed by Steven Boyd, OSHA's area director in Dallas, Jack Rector, OSHA's area director in Fort Worth and Consul General of Mexico José Octavio Tripp Villanueva and Consul General of El Salvador Jose Mario Mejia Barrera.

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 Dallas Area Office at 214-320-2400 or Fort Worth Area Office at 817-428-2470.

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.