The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68125

Melina Williams, MPH¹, Judith A. Daltuva, MSW, MA¹, Thomas G. Robins, MD, MPH¹, Luis A. Vazquez, MPH², and Samuel Orlando². (1) Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2009, 734-764-3946, melinaw@umich.edu, (2) UAW Health & Safety Department, UAW Health & Safety Department, 8000 East Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48214

Worker-trainers have been involved in delivering health and safety training for the UAW since 1990 as part of a program funded by NIEHS and evaluated by the University of Michigan. The premise of worker involvement is that it leads to empowerment and career development of participating workers while simultaneously increasing the quality and relevance of training. Over the past thirteen years, the roles played by worker-trainers have broadened to encompass increasingly diverse and demanding responsibilities, from leading training sessions to developing curriculum and evaluating programs. We present the results of a formative evaluation that describes this evolution in the UAW's health and safety training, with special emphasis on successes and challenges experienced by both worker-trainers and program staff. This evaluation relies on qualitative methods, including document review and in-depth interviews with current and former UAW worker-trainers, UAW health and safety staff, and union and university personnel. We describe the impacts of participation on worker-trainers and, conversely, we identify the ways in which worker-trainers have impacted the UAW's training programs. This study finds that increased worker involvement enhances the following: use of participatory modes of education; inclusion of hands-on activities in curriculum; worker-trainers' commitment to health and safety issues; and worker-trainers' sense of ownership of training programs. Increased involvement also provides worker-trainers opportunities to develop skills useful for career advancement. A model describing levels of worker involvement will be proposed. Finally, we offer some lessons learned and recommendations for incorporating and assessing worker participation in training programs.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant (learner) will be able to:
• · Recognize the value of increased worker participation in occupational health and safety training programs
• · Identify the benefits of as well as challenges to worker participation in such programs
• · Articulate different levels of worker participation in occupational health and safety training programs
• · Understand the utility of qualitative methods and formative evaluation for assessing occupational health and safety training programs
• · Apply lessons learned to similar programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.