Safety of Spanish Speaking Construction Workers Goal of Austin Alliance

Enhanced workplace safety for Spanish speaking workers in the construction industry is the goal of an alliance signed in Austin, Texas, by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Worker’s Defense Project and Construction Safety and Health Inc.

The Workers Defense Project was founded in August 2002 by employees and volunteers of Casa Marianella, a local shelter, to address the problem of unpaid wages for Austin’s low-wage workers.

WDP is part of a national movement of organizations that seeks to provide low-wage workers with the resources they need to eradicate hazardous and unsafe working conditions. WDP provides a source of power and hope for many low-wage workers who have access to few resources to improve their living and working conditions and is one of the few organizations in Texas working to address workplace abuse faced by low-wage workers.

“We are very pleased to be part of this alliance between OSHA and the Workers Defense Project” said CSHI President Greg Smith, “Educating workers about their rights and responsibilities relative to safety and health in a manner where they fully understand the concepts is a key component in preventing workplace accidents, illnesses and injuries.”

CSHI, which is a non-profit safety training and safety services center in Austin, conducts multi-lingual training on both general Industry and construction topics

Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with groups committed to safety and health, including businesses, trade and professional organizations, unions and educational institutions, to leverage resources and expertise to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, and share information with employers and employees to help prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the workplace.

Source: OSHA