The DOL-OSHA Hispanic Safety and Health Summit, on July 22, 2004, in Orlando, was an outstanding success with more than 500 people attending to learn about best practices for safety and health and ways to bridge cultural and language barriers.

The summit drew representatives from 35 states and abroad from government, community and faith-based organizations, non-profits, unions, industry and others to address safe environments for Hispanic workers with a particular focus on construction, agriculture, hospitality, health care, landscaping and maritime.

Keynote speaker Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao (see below) stressed "the commitment of this Administration and the Department of Labor to protecting the health and safety of our nation's diverse Hispanic workforce."

U.S. Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao, speaks with Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, John Henshaw (right), and Luis Moreno (center), Safety Director, WBC Construction, The three spoke at the August Hispanic Summit in Orlando. The Summit was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, Hispanic Alliance for Progress, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

At the USF SafetyFlorida information booth, and prepared for the rush of attendees prior to the opening of the Hispanic Summit, are (l-r) Charlene Vespi, USF SafetyFlorida Program Manager, John Henshaw, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Bob Nesbit, USF OSHA Training Institute Education Center Program Manager, and Pat Stark, USF SafetyFlorida Safety and Health Consultant.