Nuevo Leon Launches Workplace Safety Program

The Nuevo Leon Ministry of Labor has launched the Training 2026, Preventing is Taking Care of Yourself initiative, a new training program aimed at strengthening workplace safety and health practices across the state. The program is part of broader efforts to reduce occupational accidents and reinforce a culture of responsible work.

It was presented to representatives from business chambers, industry associations, and public officials, underscoring the government’s intention to work closely with the private sector. Federico Rojas, Nuevo Leon’s Minister of Labor, says the initiative is designed to consolidate prevention as a central element of labor policy.

Occupational health is preventive and concentrates on the well-being of workers and their work environment. “Safety and health at work are not privileges, they are rights,” says Rojas, emphasizing that training is a key tool to prevent unsafe acts and reduce workplace risks. He adds that the campaign seeks to create a shared front between authorities and employers to prevent accidents and promote compliance with labor regulations.

According to the Ministry of Labor, the program is coordinated by the Directorate of Continuing Education, Professionalization, and Labor Certification, the Directorate of Inspection, and the Nuevo Leon Institute for Training and Education for Work (ICET). The joint effort aims to reduce accidents, injuries, and loss of life through structured and accessible training.

Gabriela Zapata, Director of Continuing Education, Professionalization, and Labor Certification, says that the program covers topics such as ergonomics, regulatory compliance, and psychosocial risk factors. It aims to prevent accidents, safeguard workers’ health, and promote workplace well-being.

“Begining with prevention instead of correction is cheaper, more efficient, the process is faster, and the employee’s health condition improves,” says Johnny Hernández, Commercial Director, Grupo Diagnóstico Aries (GDA).

David Rodríguez, Director, ICET, highlights the role of training in ensuring compliance with safety standards. He says ICET’s programs focus on helping workers identify risks in their workplaces, reduce incidents and prevent occupational illnesses while aligning operations with applicable regulations.

“Occupational health refers to providing companies with the necessary healthcare services for their employees and collaborators to ensure compliance with labor regulations and maintain a healthy workforce. This process begins during the hiring stage, with assessments such as vision tests for individuals operating machinery, for instance. Ensuring a safe environment helps prevent accidents and reduce insurance costs,” says Carlos Septien, Director General, Grupo Diagnóstico Aries, to MBN. 

The inspection component of the program was presented by Blas Escamilla, Director of Inspection, Ministry of Labor. He explains that regular inspections, whether routine, extraordinary or complaint-based, are an essential preventive tool to identify risks, advise employers on corrective actions, and ensure compliance with labor and safety regulations.

The training portfolio includes courses on international standards, problem-solving methodologies, root cause analysis, industrial safety, psychosocial risk management, and compliance with Mexican labor norms, among other topics. Additional courses offered by ICET address industrial electricity, forklift operation, mobile equipment safety, and sanitary safety guidelines in the workplace.

Authorities say the program reflects the state’s strategy to position prevention and training as central pillars of labor policy, with the goal of improving working conditions while supporting productivity and regulatory compliance across industries.