The Superfund Worker Training Program (SWTP), a national worker health education intervention has been studied through an application of the theory of the political economy of the work environment. Previously, proponents of this theory suggested its application to the study of occupational disease and of working conditions. Using a social history and a set of case studies, it has been used to support an analysis of the interaction between the social actors and forces which determine the shape of this public health intervention. The central components for developing the political economy of the work environment include investigating how the work environment is impacted by the following set of factors: 1) Technology; 2) Level of Production; 3) Industry Structure; 4) Labor Market; 5) Social Actors; and, 6) Measures for Controlling Occupational Injuries, Illnesses, and Deaths. These have been applied to the SWTP and provide an example for study and analysis of other worker health and safety interventions.
Learning Objectives: 1) Articulate the main points proposed by the political economy of the Superfund Worker Trainin Program 2) Identify the key social actors involved in the Superfund Worker Training Program 3) Apply the theoretical framework to analyze worker training programs and formulate policies to implement them
Keywords: Occupational Health, Environmental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.