The Birmingham News reported last week that a team of Hispanic business owners and contractors has come together to create the Association of Hispanic Contractors to help improve workplace safety in the area.
The group of 55 seeks to lower workplace injuries.
“Our focus is on education and safety,” said Martinez, president of the new group. “Safety in our community is a big issue and with us being Hispanic, our organization can play a big role in educating workers.”
Representatives of the Alabama chapters of Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders & Contractors, two national trade groups whose members include several large Birmingham-based construction firms, said they plan to work closely with the new group.
“The more the merrier. You can’t do too much on safety,” said Bill Caton, spokesman for Associated General Contractors in Birmingham. “Jose is a member of AGC and just as we work with the BCIA (Birmingham Construction Industry Authority) to help minority firms, we want to do some joint projects with this new Hispanic group.”
