Citation

Forst L, Ahonen E, Zanoni JP, Holloway-Beth AT, Oschner M, Kimmel L, Martino C, Rodriguez E, Kader A, Ringholm E, Sokas R. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2013; 56(8): 827-837.

Affiliation

Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Forst-L@uic.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.22187

PMID

23533016

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Workplace mortality and severe injury are disproportionately distributed among foreign born and Hispanic construction workers. Worker Centers (WCs) provide services and advocacy for low-wage workers and a way for investigators to reach them. The goal of this project is to prevent occupational injuries by increasing awareness of hazards and self-efficacy among foreign born, Hispanic construction workers and by expanding the agenda of WCs to include occupational health and safety (H&S). METHODS: Investigators partnered with eight WCs in seven cities to train worker leaders to deliver a modified OSHA 10-hr curriculum to their peers. RESULTS: Thirty-two worker leaders trained 446 workers over 3 years. There was a demonstrated improvement in knowledge, hazard identification, self-efficacy, and sustainable H&S activities. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for successful implementation of a training intervention for low wage, low literacy Hispanic construction workers using a community-based participatory research approach. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en