Farm health and safety promotores

Objective: In an effort to sustain a farmworker safety training intervention developed by community based participatory research, workers were recruited and trained as promotores to deliver safe work practices educational material.

Background: The Community Collaborations for Farmworker Health and Safety project, coordinated by The Northeast Center for Agricultural Health (NEC) and the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC), developed safe work practices training. The training addressed proper hygiene along with causes and solutions for skin and eye irritation issues identified as the priority health area for intervention.

Methods: Project staff and student volunteers developed low literacy, bi-lingual educational materials to train farmworkers. Content included cultural competency, privacy awareness, and in-depth information on cause/treatments for skin/eye irritation concerns of shade tobacco farmworkers.

Results: Eleven workers were recruited and received instruction as farm health and safety promotores. They participated in twelve hours of instruction. Over the course of six weeks, seven promotores delivered components of the safe work practice training to 114 workers. They reported engagement of an additional five groups of workers, but exact attendance was not accounted for. Outreach staff assisted promotores in data collection. Promotores received compensation in the form of gift cards and an end of season celebration.

Conclusion: Many of these promotores return to work in Connecticut tobacco year after year. They expressed interest to continue as promotores and requested training in other health topics including blood pressure monitoring and first aid. The Promotores Model is an effective means of educating farmworkers on occupational health hazards.