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Immigrant Worker Safety: Renaldo's Story of Struggle

Renaldo's preventable injury highlights the financial, permanent, and emotional toll on migrant workers. Learn about the impact of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and how non-governmental organizations can support OSHA.

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Immigrant Worker Safety: Renaldo's Story of Struggle

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  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;

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