Oregon OSHA to Host Spanish-Language Safety Conference on Workers' Rights and Health Protections

Oregon OSHA to Host Spanish-Language Safety Conference Focused on Workers' Rights and Health ProtectionsPhoto byStock Image

By Kristy Tallman, September 3, 2024

SALEM, Ore. – In a continued effort to empower Oregon's workforce, particularly its Spanish-speaking community, Oregon OSHA will present its fourth Spanish-language safety conference this November. The event aims to educate workers about their rights, protections against workplace hazards, and other crucial safety and health issues.

The free conference, titled “Safety, Health, and Your Rights at Work,” is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Wingspan Event Center in Hillsboro. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from workplace safety and health professionals, engage with exhibits, and enjoy a complimentary lunch.

“This conference underscores Oregon OSHA’s deep commitment to connecting with those who are among Oregon’s most vulnerable workers by offering a place where crucial workplace safety and health information is provided entirely in the language of many such workers,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “We place a high value on community engagement. We look forward to listening to Spanish-speaking Oregonians and providing resources to help them meet their safety and health needs.”

Key Conference Topics

Participants at the conference will be equipped with knowledge on a variety of topics critical to workplace safety and health:

• Asserting the right to a safe and healthy workplace
• Protecting personal health both at work and at home
• Identifying and addressing common workplace hazards
• Safety and health considerations in various industries, including agriculture, construction, landscaping, hospitality, caregiving, and manufacturing
• Understanding the role of supervisors in ensuring workplace safety
• Protecting against wage theft and understanding whistleblower protections
• Risk management strategies for small businesses

The event is a significant part of Oregon OSHA’s ongoing mission to expand outreach efforts, dismantle language barriers, and provide essential safety and health resources to a broader audience of workers and employers. It reflects the agency's commitment to enhancing on-the-job safety for all workers across Oregon.

How to Register

Those interested in attending must preregister by Wednesday, October 30. Registration is available in both Spanish and English. For more details, email oregon.conferences@dcbs.oregon.gov or call 503-947-7413.

Additional Resources

Oregon OSHA also offers Spanish-language online training courses and the PESO program, a bilingual initiative designed to help English-speaking employers communicate effectively about workplace safety with their Spanish-speaking employees.

Workers in Oregon are entitled to a safe and healthy workplace. This includes the right to voice concerns without fear of retaliation and to file complaints with Oregon OSHA. The Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers is available to assist workers in understanding their rights regarding workplace safety and the workers' compensation system. The office can be reached toll-free at 800-927-1271.

Additionally, the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) Multicultural Communications Program provides outreach to communities with limited English proficiency, offering vital information about on-the-job safety and health. Spanish-speaking Oregonians can access these services by calling 800-843-8086.

By Kristy Tallman, September 3, 2024

The Republic News

Source: Oregon Dept. of Consumer & Business Services News Release

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