US Secretary of Labor to convene national action summit on Latino worker safety and health

Conference will take place in Houston on April 14 and 15

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis will convene a National Action Summit for Latino Worker Health and Safety on April 14 and 15 in Houston, Texas.

The summit, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, will bring together more than 500 people, including workers and representatives from unions, employer associations, community organizations, day labor centers, the interfaith community, the academic community, Latino organizations, health professionals, medical clinics, consulates, federal and state agencies, and others with the goal of reducing injuries and illness among Latino workers by enhancing their knowledge of their rights and their ability to exercise those rights.

WHO: U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis will deliver the keynote address.

WHAT: The summit will focus on the construction and other high-risk industries with large numbers of Latino workers. It will showcase innovative partnerships, demonstrate successful education and training strategies, and develop effective enforcement and communication strategies.

WHERE: Hilton Americas Hotel 1600 Lamar St. Houston, Texas

WHEN: Wednesday, April 14 (beginning at 1 p.m. CDT) Thursday, April 15 (beginning at 8:45 a.m. CDT)

For information on the conference workshops, visit https://www.osha.gov/latinosummit/.

Reporters interested in covering the summit are requested to contactDiana Petterson at 202-693-1898 or petterson.diana@dol.gov.

Note: In addition to the National Action Summit on Latino Worker Safety and Health, a We Can Help safety and worker rights fair will be held on Saturday, April 17, at the George R. Brown Convention Center (Hall A) in Houston from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. CDT. The fair is co-sponsored by OSHA and the Labor Department s Wage and Hour Division. It will provide free information on worker rights and resources, games for children, family safety training, and health and medical services.