Immigrants at risk

1. Immigrants at risk Renaldo’s story: Desperate for work, few alternatives. Picked up a street corner and sent to construction site. No training or protective equipment. Fell off building; Severe damage to leg. Impact of preventable injury:Financial burden – hospital bills, loss of wages, public assistance Permanent injury – reduced earning potential, quality of life Emotional toll – impact on family

2. Occupational Safety and Health Act • 1968: Approx. 14,000 worker deaths each year • 2008: Approx. 5,000 worker deaths/year • - - - - - - • 1970: Congress passes the OSH Act: • Est. Occupational Safety & Health Admin. (OSHA) to set & enforce work health/safety standards • Covers all private sector employees. States have option to cover public employees. • Primary law governs safety & health in US • 40 years later: tens of thousands of lives saved and millions of injuries and illnesses prevented • Strong OSHA = safer workplace

3. Engaged Non-Gov. Organizations = Stronger OSHA OSHA can’t be everywhere Immigrants often don’t trust government Non profits/other orgs: Extend the eyes and ears of OSHA Educate workers of OSH rights Help build trust Confirm to workers: OSHA does not report workers to immigration! Make process more accessible

4. Employee Representative Who: “person acting in a bona fide representative capacity, including, … clergy… family members, government officials or nonprofit groups … acting upon …complaints and injuries from employees.” What: • Make a formal complaint on behalf of worker (indicate that worksite is Spanish/other language) • Request a meeting after OSHA investigation has been initiated to provide worker information • Request OSHA interview workers at nonprofit offices, if on-site isn’t safe environment • Request closing meeting after case closed;