English Illiteracy in the Work Place and the Need for Safety Training

“By 2050, immigration is expected to increase the U.S. population by 80 million people.” (Wexley-Latham 325) Do illegal aliens working within United States borders have OSHAct rights for a safe and healthy work place? Is an organization responsible for the training necessary to insure a safe and health work environment? With the large influx of legal and illegal aliens working within our country how will illiteracy and functional illiteracy affect a healthy and safe work environment? A quality training and development program with in any organization should include a health and safety training program. In our global economy this must include health and safety training for those employees who are illiterate or functionally illiterate in the English language. “The cost of work related injuries and fatalities is estimated to be greater than $121 billion annually; from 1980 to 1992, more than 77,000 workers died as a result of work related injuries…” (Wexley- Latham 329) In light of these statistics an organization can not be without a quality health and safety training program. The liability for an organization with out an OSHA approved training program could be astronomical. According to the American Society for Training and Development nine percent of training expenditures are used to support health and safety training. “The occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was designed to set forth a standard that would provide for the safety and health of employees while on the job. Employers are required to provide a place of employment free from occupational hazards. Employees are required to follow rules and regulations established to promote their safety and to use equipment designed to ensure their safety.” (Moran 430) Does an illegal alien qualify as an employee? First one must look at the legal definition; “…Employment may be defined as the rendering of personal service by one person on behalf of another in return for compensation.” (Moran 4)

Cited: Cable, N.H. Court: Injured Illegal Aliens Can Sue for Lost U.S. Wages in Some Circumstances - 04/08/2005 www.occupationalhazards.com 1 Halcarz, “Safety Training for a Diverse Worker Population,” Occupational Hazards 65, no.2 (February 2003): 26. Jordan, “What is OSHA doing About Immigrant Worker Safety?” April 13, 2004 Confined Space News and Commentary on Workplace Health & Safety, Labor and Politics Nitkewic, “Are Undocumented Aliens Barred From Collecting Lost Wages in Personal Injury Suits?” April, 2004. The Nassau Lawyer 1 Time Magazine “Exposes Illegal Aliens” July 16, 2005. The New York Times. Moran. “Employment Law 3rd ed.” (New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2005.) 4, 430. Washington, “Report: 10 Million Illegal Aliens in U.S.” www.newsmax.com / Wexley-Latham “Developing and Training Human Resources in Organizations” (New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2002.) 325, 329