Region 2 News Release: 11-1743-NEW/BOS 2011-408
Dec. 19, 2011
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
Email: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA forms alliance with ILA UTM Local 1740
to enhance safety for maritime and longshore workers in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has formed an alliance with the International Longshoreman's Association Union de Trabajadores de Muelles - ILA UTM Local 1740 to enhance safe and healthful conditions for workers in Puerto Rico's maritime and longshoring industries.

"This alliance represents an excellent opportunity to equip workers with the best information to safeguard themselves against work-related hazards, as well as understand their right to a safe and healthful working environment," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's administrator for Region 2, which includes Puerto Rico.

Under the alliance, OSHA and Local 1740 will work together to develop, share and distribute safety and health information, provide training courses on agency standards governing safety in maritime and longshoring work, and conduct outreach activities for workers and employers. Local 1740, with a membership of 750 workers, provides workers to eight maritime industry companies in Puerto Rico.

"This alliance will have a positive impact on hundreds of workers in Puerto Rico," said José A. Carpena, OSHA's area director for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. "It will help them identify and eliminate work hazards and encourage them to have a voice in the workplace regarding their safety and health."

The alliance was signed by OSHA's Kulick and Carpena and by Carlos Sánchez Ortiz, president of Local 1740.

Through its 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 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/index.html or contact the compliance assistance specialist in OSHA's area office in Guaynabo at 787-277-1560.

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.