Makita U.S.A. and Wrangler Western Wear have teamed up to provide free bi-lingual construction safety training in an effort to increase jobsite safety awareness. The classes, in conjunction with local branches of the Hispanic Contractors Association, are taking place in Denver and Dallas and are part of a larger effort by Makita to engage the Hispanic contractor.
The safety training course is free-of-charge and approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The course covers the four major hazards encountered regularly on construction sites: falls, electrical injuries, and caught-in and struck-by hazards. The training focuses on the methods of recognition and prevention of these common hazards. Upon completing the training, students receive the OSHA 10-hour Certification Card.
“Hispanics comprise 25 percent of the construction-industry workforce,” said Helga Grunerud, executive director of HCC. “However, Hispanics in this industry are injured at a disproportionately higher rate than non-Hispanics due in part to a lack of proper training.”
For Makita, extending OSHA-certified safety training to more contractors is an important opportunity. “Teaching the safe use of power tools on jobsites is an ongoing initiative for Makita,” said Ken Hefley, senior vice president of marketing at Makita.
The first training course took place on Feb. 13, at the Denver headquarters of the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado. The second event was co-sponsored by the Hispanic Contractors Association de Tejas and took place on Feb. 21, at Richland College in Dallas.
Sponsors Makita and Wrangler are joined by Rockstar, which is donating energy drinks to both events. Makita and Rockstar are currently team sponsor partners in a variety of power sports including Supercross, Motocross, and off-road racing.
Headquartered in La Mirada, Calif., Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial quality power tools, and offers a wide range of industrial accessories.
