Assessment of occupational safety and health materials targeting Spanish speaking workers

Every year in the U.S., there is a disproportionate number of Spanish-speaking immigrant workers injured and killed on the job. Many worker organizations are developing materials and creating educational interventions. However, there are many challenges including: bridging language and cultural gaps, connecting to worker's current socio-cultural reality and understanding their needs, strengths and experiences in the U.S. workplace.

Research indicates Spanish-language educational materials are most effective when culturally adapted; however, there is no comprehensive guide for creating these materials. UCLA-LOSH and NIOSH conducted literature reviews, interviewed workers, their advocates and social marketing professionals to develop criteria that were later used by the research team to assess existing occupational safety and health materials targeting Spanish speaking workers. Five key categories were identified: content, design, visuals, readability, and social and cultural considerations.

The importance of incorporating illustrations, simplifying and minimizing text has been validated in existing literature. However, we also learned that social and cultural considerations should frame the process of material development and define all other categories. Despite its importance, there are significant gaps in the literature regarding this issue. We learned that raising awareness on how to protect one's health at work involves concrete messages emphasizing worker empowerment and necessitates addressing worker's fears, sense of vulnerability and competing priorities.

Questions remain about how to effectively address diversity around Spanish language proficiency, educational levels and specific socio-cultural issues. During the course of the project, we received an overwhelming response of interested professionals wanting information on this project.