Region 9 News Release: 13-1760-SAN (SF-130)
August 26, 2013
Contact: Deanne Amaden Jose A. Carnevali
Phone: 415-625-2630 415-625-2631
Email: amaden.deanne@dol.gov carnevali.jose@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA forms alliance in Nevada with the consulate
general of Mexico to promote worker safety and health
Aug. 26 signing ceremony marks shared commitment to critical protections

LAS VEGAS — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today formalized an alliance in Las Vegas with the consulate general of Mexico to establish a collaborative relationship that aims at keeping workers safe and healthful on the job. The alliance seeks to increase access to education and training resources that promote workers' rights and employers' responsibilities.

Through the alliance, OSHA and the consulate will develop training and education programs in Spanish. These materials will be for Mexican nationals employed throughout Nevada in general industry and construction. Some of the safety and health issues that will be covered include heat stress, exposure to hazardous chemicals and falls from elevated work surfaces.

"This alliance furthers our shared commitment and duty to strengthen collaborative approaches among all stakeholders to promote workers' safety and health," said Ken Atha, OSHA's regional administrator in San Francisco. "We look forward to maximizing this joint effort by creating, enhancing and sustaining a culture of workplace safety for all workers, which benefits local businesses and communities."

Joy Flack, director of OSHA's Las Vegas Area Office, and Julián Adem Díaz de León, consul general of Mexico, formalized the alliance during a ceremony at the Consulate of Mexico in Las Vegas.

Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources and to educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance Program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA programmed inspections. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/.

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, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.