El Sol has developed a meaningful partnership with NDLON (National Day Labor and Organizing Network), which funds a series of health and safety trainings for day laborers in Jupiter since October 2011. The objective of the 4-year, $ 39K grant is to provide workers the much-needed training on job hazards and their rights. This was accomplished through hands-on training and education to day laborers about the potential of injuries and death if they were not trained in recognizing, avoiding and preventing health hazards. Class topics include: pesticide protection, step ladder awareness, and accidents related to landscaping and construction, and many more.
El Sol’s OSHA workshops have reached 379 workers from 2011-2014. In 2012 alone, reports indicated that 10% of workers used personal protective equipment. As to date, that number has jumped to 98%, an 88% increase! El Sol workers have reported being more careful with potential hazards at work and El Sol’s Health Program has noticed a substantial decrease in work-related injuries.
El Sol is proud to announce that we have received an additional $7,200 dollars to continue empowering our day laborers. In addition, El Sol has signed an Alliance Agreement with OSHA to continue partnering in educating both workers and employers about health and safety issues and prevent fatal injuries. For more information, please contact Betzy Rega at betzy@friendsofelsol.org