US Labor Department's OSHA and the Georgia Hispanic Construction Association to host safety and health fair Aug. 16, 2014, in Chamblee, Georgia

CHAMBLEE, Ga. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Georgia Hispanic Construction Association are sponsoring a construction safety and health fair for construction workers and their families on Saturday, Aug. 16, from noon to 5 p.m. EDT at Lowe's Home Center, 4950 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Chamblee 30341.

"OSHA is committed to ensuring a safe workplace, and our goal is for workers to recognize the good safety practices that employers have a responsibility to implement," said Christi Griffin, director of the Atlanta-West Area Office. "This is an opportunity for Hispanic workers to involve their families and educate them on the culture of workplace safety and health, so that everyone knows what to expect in a safe workplace."

OSHA staff will distribute Spanish-language publications and answer questions about occupational safety and health issues. The fair will feature a variety of free construction-related workshops and classes covering fall protection, trenching, heat illnesses, personal protective equipment, silica and other workplace hazards. Exhibitors and vendors will be on-site to conduct tool and equipment safety demonstrations.

In addition to its strong outreach, OSHA has a vigorous enforcement program, having conducted more than 38,997 inspections nationwide last fiscal year and exceeding its inspection goals for the last several years. In fiscal year 2013, OSHA found nearly 77,211 violations of its standards and regulations.

The event sponsors include Lowe's; Univision Atlanta; El Nuevo Georgia; Precision 2000; Fulcro Insurance; DeWalt; Holder Construction; and Georgia 811.

For more information about OSHA, contact Christi Griffin at 678-903-7301. To register for this event and to learn more about the GHCA, email info@georgiahca.org, or call 404-229-8070.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.