Safety & Health Issues relating to the

Non-English Workforce

Mark A. Hernandez, CHST

Outline

• Hispanic population• Workplace Fatalities –

BLS/OSHA Data• Understanding the

Hispanic Workforce• Training – Translation• OSHA’s Hispanic

Initiatives• Training Resources

Hispanic Population

• Today More Than 39 Million Latino’s Live in U.S.

• By 2016 the Hispanic workforce will grow by 30%

• Latino’s make up 11% of the U.S. workforce (16% of the Fatality Rate)

• Harris County is the 2nd. Largest county in the Nation (1.5 mill.)

• Houston is the 4th. largest city with Hispanic representation

• A recent Hispanic immigrant isless likely to: speak English or have a high school diploma.

Source: Hispanic Pew Institute, 2000 Census

Region Fatalities: FY 2007

2

32

8

64

23

102

7

15

35

1

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

OSHA Regions

Nu

mb

er F

atal

itie

s In

ves

tig

ated

Immigrant and Hispanic Fatalities

Worker Fatalities

• CDC-MMR: 6-6-08 Report: 1992—2006 (first time CDC specifically ID Hispanic group as the demographic with the highest fatality rate)

• During 2003--2006, 67% of Hispanic decedents were foreign born (Table), an increase from 52% in 1992.

• Approximately 70% of these decedents were born in Mexico.

"The burden of risk is primarily on foreign-born workers,“said Scott Richardson, a Bureau of Labor Statisticsprogram director, in a telephone press conference aboutthe new report.

Apparent Contributing Factors

• Foreign-born Hispanic• Limited or non-existent training• Language Barrier (English vs. Spanish) illiteracy in own language

(nodding yes, when really it’s no)• Lack of Understanding of Culture, Values Traditions by Management to

close culture gap (SPALW-Newsletter 2008 Vol. 1, No. 2)• Traditions and values in conflict with workplace safety• Often subjected to unsafe conditions and harassment due to legal status • Lack of continuing education: 2000 Census reported that only 43% have

received a HS diploma.• 2003 CPWR report: underreporting: undocumented workers will not

complain about unsafe conditions or report unsafe conditions, near-misses for fear of loosing their jobs.

• 2003 CPWR report: Disadvantage of using translators in that not all translators are proficient and may catch all words loosing context

• Not enough Qualified Bi-lingual trainers, Supervisors

Understanding the Hispanic Workforce

• La Familia (Family) • Las Tradiciones

(Traditions/ Beliefs)• El Respeto

(Respect)/ Status & Hierarchy

• La Educacion (Education)

Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social

Belief in Fatalism “Si Dios Quiere ”(if God Wishes)

Manana is not just a term, but a way of life.

Training

Training:• Use Few Words/ Many Pictures• Use Props and Hands on Training Always• Ask questions• Kinesthetic: I do & tell, you watch – You & tell do, I watch. • Use understandable terms: (ISA /ANSI) Ex. NFPA 704 (universal colors, symbols,

and numbers) • OSHA: certified training (doc), some standards indicate: legible and understandable

(asbestos). • Bi-lingual trainers• Train for comprehension not compliance• Focus Areas: Orientation training

– Hazard recognition training – Training required by OSHA standards – Emergency response training– Accident investigation training – Emergency drill training

Body HarnessArnés de CuerpoArnés de Cuerpo

Training cont.

• Provide ESL to employees and conversational Spanish to Supervisors to bridge the language barrier.

• 61% more effective in Spanish, Bilingual – 3x’s more effective.• Pareto Principle: Identify the Maestro within the group and equip,

educate and train to become the Leader.• Use the 1989 Management Guidelines• Keep Education Level in Mind (6th or 7th grade)• Be aware of different words for different Latin American countries• Literal Translating vs. Conversational (Field) Translating (if not

correct will loose context)

John Maxwell: All Teams rise and fall on Leadership.Leadership is nothing more than Influence.

OSHA Dictionary terms

General OSHA Terms• English to Spanish - (Diccionario de OSHA - Términos• Generales de OSHA (Inglés a Español)• Spanish to English - (Diccionario de OSHA - Términos• generales de OSHA (Español a Inglés))• Frequently Used General Industry Terms• English to Spanish (with phonetic pronunciation guide) -• (Diccionario de OSHA - Términos Generales• frecuentemente utilizados (Inglés a Español))• Spanish to English - (Diccionario de OSHA - Términos• Generales frecuentemente utilizados (Español a Inglés))• General Industry Terms• English to Spanish - (Diccionario de OSHA - Términos• de la Industria General (Inglés a Español))• Frequently Used Construction Industry Terms• English to Spanish (with phonetic pronunciation guide) -

OSHA Compliance Assistance

• Hispanic Employers and Workers: https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/index_hispanic.html

• Quick Start - Hispanic Outreach: https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/quickstarts/hispanic/index_hispanic.html

• Publications in Spanish: https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/spanish/spanish_publications.html• OSHA Dictionaries: https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/

spanish_dictionaries.html• Publications in Spanish: https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/spanish/

spanish_publications.html

Training Resources

• OSHA Hispanic Outreach Fact Sheet [PDF* - 24 KB] • Oregon PESO Program:

https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/spanish/spanish_publications.html

• ASSE -Safety Professionals Latino Workforcehttp:/www.asse.org/spalw

Local Outreach: • OSHA / AGC Alliance 8hr. Awareness classes for free• OSHA / HASC safety videos in Spanish: Intro to OSHA website in

Spanish (3.48 min) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sOEHOwUHBo• OSHA Labor laws (9.55 min) http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=LVmYS7QxWR4

• Mexican Consulate Alliance: Hotline number: 713-980-9999

Oficinas de OSHA

Houston North Area Office:507 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E. Ste. 400Houston, TX 77060281-591-2438 *227

Houston South Area Office:17625 El Camino Real #400Houston, TX 77058281-286-0583 *241

Disclaimer

This information has been developed by an OSHA Compliance AssistanceSpecialist and is intended to assist employers, workers, and others as theystrive to improve workplace health and safety. While we attempt to thoroughlyaddress specific topics [or hazards], it is not possible to include discussion ofeverything necessary to ensure a healthy and safe working environment in apresentation of this nature. Thus, this information must be understood as a toolfor addressing workplace hazards, rather than an exhaustive statement of anemployer’s legal obligations, which are defined by statute, regulations, andstandards. Likewise, to the extent that this information references practices orprocedures that may enhance health or safety, but which are not required by astatute, regulation, or standard, it cannot, and does not, create additional legalobligations. Finally, over time, OSHA may modify rules and interpretations inlight of new technology, information, or circumstances; to keep apprised ofsuch developments, or to review information on a wide range of occupationalsafety and health topics, you can visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.