Creating healthy communities through hazardous waste worker training programs

This panel presentation will discuss how federal hazardous waste worker training programs, such as NIEHS' Worker Education and Training Program and EPA's Brownfields Job Training Program, effectively meet the needs of communities impacted by public health and environmental hazards by encouraging residents of these communities to participate in the environmental remediation process and thereby become part of the solution in addressing the disproportionate impacts in their communities. These programs are fundamental in providing required technical training and critical life skills to these residents, which have created new life and career opportunities that did not previously exist for the individual or their community. Trained residents are able to obtain new green/environmental jobs, become environmental justice advocates which help to both protect the environment and revitalize their communities. Moreover, the health and safety skills taught by field expert instructors impact public health and the environment not only for the work arena, but also within the home and communities. Graduates of the training programs share with their family and community what they have learned in the training and incorporate safety and health practices into their daily lives. They use this understanding to obtain meaningful jobs which result in public health and environmental benefits, and improve the health of their family members and neighbors by teaching them about the potential health risks that exist in their communities or surrounding areas.