Recruiting Latino Construction Workers for Fall Prevention Training

Background and Objective: The rates of fall-related injuries and death are higher among Hispanic construction workers than their non-Hispanic counterparts, particularly for those who are foreign-born. Construction employment has fallen precipitously since the start of the recession. These job losses may represent an opportunity to attract idled construction workers to participate in Spanish-language fall prevention training classes to prepare them for the next increase in construction job demand. The objective of this project was to reduce the risk of occupational injury and death among Hispanic construction workers in Las Vegas by designing, delivering, and evaluating a culturally-appropriate four hour fall prevention training program. This presentation focuses on the challenges, cost, and effectiveness of various recruiting methods used to reach this population. Methods We used the following channels: outreach to unions, advertisements and news stories in print media, participation in radio talk shows, features on Spanish language television, contacts with key informants, word-of-mouth referrals, Spanish-language fliers at the state unemployment office, distribution of fliers to contractors, and contacts with the county school system's adult English as a Second Language program, Spanish-language social groups, and the Mexican Embassy. Results While print advertisements were the most costly, they were the least effective. The most effective route for reaching Hispanic construction workers was through the Laborers' International Union of North American local, while the second most effective was the news story feature on Univision. Conclusion Unions can play a vital role in encouraging their Hispanic members to trust and attend an outside training program.