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Occupational Health Branch

Occupational Health Watch: April 2016

Spotlight on Latinos for Workers Memorial Day

Latino workers are the largest ethnic group in the California workforce, contributing greatly to the state's economy in a variety of jobs. Data from the 2014 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries showed a downward trend in workplace fatalities for Latinos and all workers in California. The number of Hispanic or Latino workers who died on the job fell by 33%, from 194 to 130 deaths, from 2013 to 2014. Similarly, for all California workers, there was a 13% decrease from 396 deaths to 344 during the same period.

While this decrease in fatalities is encouraging, there are many things employers and workers can do to continue keeping their workplaces safe. Employers must ensure that safety training provided for Latino workers is understandable and effective – this means considering employees' language and reading skills. In addition, all workers must be given the training, equipment, and safety measures needed so that they return to their families at the end of a work shift. OHB's Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program (FACE) program provides prevention materials in Spanish.

Falls continue to be a leading cause of workplace deaths in the construction industry for all workers, including Latinos. OHB encourages employers to join the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction on May 2-6. Information about the Stand-Down is also available in Spanish.

Each year on April 28, Workers Memorial Day events commemorate those who have died on the job, and highlight efforts to prevent workplace deaths, illness and injury. More information on commemorative events is available on the AFL-CIO Workers Memorial Day website.


Resources

Spanish Prevention Materials – FACE web page

National Falls Safety Stand-Down | Spanish


Email Occupational Health Watch (OHW@cdph.ca.gov) with feedback or change of address.

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