OSHA, AGC of Mass. Partner on Improving Safety and Health for Hispanic Construction Workers

Helping Hispanic construction workers in Boston and southeastern Massachusetts protect themselves against occupational hazards is the goal of a newly signed alliance between the Braintree area office of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (AGC).

Under the alliance, OSHA and AGC will jointly develop and deliver to Hispanic contractors and workers training and education programs focusing on scaffolding, fall protection, electrical safety, lead and other construction hazards. The training will be presented in Spanish for those employers and workers who are not fluent in English.

OSHA and AGC will also work to increase Hispanic worker access to Spanish-language safety and health training resources and related materials. In addition, bilingual individuals in construction will be encouraged to take the OSHA train-the-trainer course on construction standards to qualify to teach OSHA construction outreach courses in Spanish.

“This alliance seeks to reduce Hispanic workers’ exposure to construction hazards by ensuring they and their employers receive information and understand how to identify and protect themselves against workplace conditions that can imperil their safety and health,” said Brenda Gordon, OSHA’s area director for Boston and southeastern Massachusetts.

The joint effort will also encourage Hispanic employer and worker participation in OSHA’s cooperative programs, including compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program, the Mass. Safety and Health Consultation Service and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.

Signing the alliance for AGC of Massachusetts were Gordon and Robert Petrucelli, president and chief executive officer.