New training has been introduced to highlight the importance of workers' rights.

The new US course, Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is now required content for all ten and 30-hour outreach training programme classes and has been developed following calls from US secretary of labor Hilda Solis.

According to the department of labor, the changes will affect thousands of individuals taking training, as well as 50,000 authorised trainers.

The new programme highlights the rights of workers, including their right to work in safety, receive adequate training and request an OSHA inspection.

Assistant secretary of labor for OSHA David Michaels said that in the past unsafe working conditions were often overlooked due to fears among staff.

"We are confident that this new training will embolden workers to speak up when they find work practices that endanger their lives and the lives of their co-workers," Mr Michaels added.

The US department of labor focuses on equal employment opportunities, health plans, labor relations, regulations and training.

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