Lessons from a peer-based participatory training program for Latino day laborers

Through a CPWR/NIOSH funded partnership with New Labor, a non-profit membership organization of Latino immigrant workers, and the Laborers International Union Health and Safety Fund, Rutgers labor education program staff have developed and evaluated an Spanish language health and safety education program for Latino day laborers working in construction. Over the last two years, more than two dozen Latino day laborers were trained as trainers, and more than 300 day laborers from six NJ communities have participated in this training. Baseline and follow-up data collection includes surveys, interviews and focus groups. This presentation will highlight the project's key findings about the impact of this intervention on the health and safety knowledge, attitudes and practices of Latino day laborers. It will also summarize our reflections about approaches that worked (or didn't) and explore the implications of our findings for best meeting the needs of this highly vulnerable workforce.