ASSE’s newest initiative under its Alliance with OSHA and NIOSH is the involvement of our members in OSHA’s efforts to advance outreach and resources for Spanish-speaking workers.

At the recent ASSE annual conference, these efforts resulted in the establishment of the ASSE Safety Professionals and the Latino Workforce (SPALW) common interest group led by our own LA-ASSE member Hector Escarcega.

Hector and ASSE staff also attended the July 22 Hispanic Safety and Health Summit held by OSHA in Orlando. The summit was a successful beginning for OSHA in bringing together 750 practitioners and leaders from all facets of occupational safety and health to discuss initiatives for protecting Latino workers from safety, health and environmental risks in this nation’s workplaces.

SPALW in Los Angeles

In forming our own SPAWL group, LA-ASSE has taken another significant step in creating a network of interest and information to succeed in reaching across the language and cultural divides that keep Latino workers from being fully engaged in safe and healthy workplace strategies.

Safety practitioners in Los Angeles are among the leaders in the field, developing the tools necessary to help protect Latino workers. The combined expertise of our membership is of great value to our community and can serve as a significant resource.

I am honored and privileged to have been elected ASSE - Los Angeles President for the term 2004 through 2005. I want to thank all that voted for me.

So that you may get to know me, I work for Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. I've been working there for 3.5 years and it's a great place to work. My job title is Industrial Hygienist but the truth is I do mostly safety-related work. We've had a backlog of several hundred million dollars worth of construction that included new buildings plus interior areas that needed to be remodeled. I'm in charge of the construction safety and industrial hygiene. Anyone who works in hospitals knows that you're not really in charge, you mostly collaborate.

I went through the Cal State University, Northridge, Environmental Health and Occupational Safety program. My first job after graduation was with a small company that grew to national status in environmental consulting. In those 7 years I did a great deal of traveling across the country and worked many a night shift. With my CHMM, California Certifications for Asbestos and Lead, I went into the world of independent consulting. During that time I did consulting for hospitals, that primed me for my current position. I've just been approved to take the ASP section of CSP exam. I've been attending the very professional preparation classes given by the Orange Coast section of ASSE in Anaheim. I'm ready to take the exam!

My intention as your President is to continue to build upon the past successes of the Board and Past Presidents. We will do some experimenting and try some new ideas. We want to deliver a program that ASSE - LA wants.

Our first board meeting was held on August 3rd, with great results. Our second board meeting will be held on September 2nd. We're doing this to give you a better year of ASSE-LA. If any of you want to attend a board meeting or submit an idea to the board, please call me anytime at (310) 423-2368 or email me at patrickwilliamsATmembers.asse.org.

Our first meeting is going to be a great Terrorism Primer. How many of you have had Security issues dropped on your lap? We have a great list of speakers that will inform you and maybe make you a little uneasy. The lunch program will include the presentation by the Los Angeles Bomb Squad, it will begin at 11:30am. Show up on time or miss this explosive presentation.

Sincerely,