OSHA News Release -
Atlanta
Region
Region 4 News Release: 09-87-ATL (030)
Jan. 27, 2009
Contact: Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2078
Jan. 28 signing ceremony to highlight Hispanic worker safety efforts in Central Florida
TAMPA, Fla. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is forming a new alliance with the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce and the University of South Florida's SafetyFlorida Consultation Program to reduce occupational injuries and illnesses among workers in Manatee and Sarasota counties, focusing particularly on Hispanic employees.
The public and media are invited to attend an alliance signing ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. EST during the Latin Chamber of Commerce's Conexion Latina event, being held at Gettel Toyota, 6423 14th St. W., in Bradenton, Fla.
"We are committed to raising safety and health awareness, and hazard recognition among employers and their employees in Central Florida, particularly with the state's non-English speaking and youth workforce," said Les Grove, OSHA's area director in Tampa. "Together, we can reduce the injury incidence rate among Hispanic workers."
A key feature of the alliance is to develop and make available effective safety and health training and education tools, in English and in Spanish. The focus will be on construction and general industry hazards, including but not limited to falls, electrical operations, ergonomics, bloodborne pathogens, fire safety, egress/exit routes and evacuation plans.
Companies and groups interested in learning more about OSHA's activities to improve employee safety and health in Central Florida may contact the agency's area office in Tampa, 5807 Breckenridge Parkway, Suite A; telephone 813-626-1177.
OSHA operates a vigorous enforcement program, conducting almost 39,000 inspections and finding nearly 88,000 violations of its standards and regulations in fiscal year 2008. OSHA currently has more than 470 alliances throughout the nation with organizations committed to fostering safety and health in the workplace.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.