May 26, 2011
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA, National Council of La Raza form Alliance

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) signed an Alliance May 20, to foster safer and more healthful American workplaces. The Alliance will provide NCLR affiliates with information, guidance and access to health and safety training resources to reach low-wage, limited basic education, and other vulnerable worker populations in the construction, healthcare, service and "green" industries.

"About 12 Latino workers die on the job every week while doing the most difficult, unhealthful and dangerous jobs in America," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "The combined efforts of this Alliance will help improve Latino workers' ability to exercise their workplace rights, and, through enhanced safety awareness, help ensure that they return home every day safe and unharmed."

OSHA and NCLR will use the Alliance to connect with vulnerable and hard-to-reach workers through NCLR's affiliates. NCLR is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. The organization provides research, analysis and support, from a Latino perspective, in areas including health, education and employment. NCLR outreach efforts affect more than 2.6 million Hispanic workers each year.

Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with groups committed to worker safety and health to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. These groups include unions, consulates, trade or professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions. OSHA and the groups work together to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, share information with workers and employers, and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance Program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA programmed inspections.

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 assure 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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