Safety Now For All

Workers train one another to spot hazards, report hazards and build safety culture where they work. This includes supporting injured workers and ensuring their access to workers’ compensation payments for medical care and lost wages. Health and safety in the workplace have been part of the culture of the Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center (CIWC) since it was founded in 2005. 

In 2017 CIWC’s safety lead Manuel Perez obtained certification from Great Lakes OSHA with the University of Cincinnati to give OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 trainings for workers in the construction industry.   CIWC is now the only local organization within 300 miles with a Spanish speaking OSHA 10 trainer.  CIWC works in coalition to preserve workers’ compensation benefits for all Ohio workers, regardless of immigration status.  

safety now for all in action

OSHA Training: Safer, Higher Paying Work

“I called the workers center because the crew of drywall finishers I work with had our wages stolen. While talking to Manuel I learned that the OSHA training we need as construction workers was available in Spanish for free here. I brought in everyone I knew and we got our cards quick. With the OSHA cards we learned new things, we also got a passport to higher paying work in the construction industry.”

-Orlando Santiago, Cincinnati Interfaith Worker Center Member

Safety now for all in the news

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

When the pandemic hit, CIWC’s critical intervention was providing free food and free Covid-19 awareness training at Cincinnati Public Schools food distribution sites, where we trained and and helped feed thousands.  

Worker Center member Gandhi sitting at a table with US Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh with Worker Center staff member Magda Orlander standing near them