No abstract

AR can lead to greater empowerment to address occupational health and safety issues, and to improved dialog between labor and management. AR can increase the likelihood that the problem will be understood, and effective solutions will be developed and their application supported and used throughout the organization.

The United Automobile Workers uses worker-trainers to deliver health and safety education training to its members. The union has experimented with worker-trainers participating in program evaluation. Worker-trainers participated in the design and conduct of a telephone survey of training impact, and of an on-site survey of trainee perceptions of a large-scale program. Worker evaluators were able to analyze data and give a highly successful presentation of results to trainees at the large-scale program. The incorporation of workers as evaluators is a key step toward the goal of worker empowerment. The involvement of program participants in their program's evaluation can enhance the quality and usefulness of work-site health and safety programs in general.

Background The long-term impact of the United Automobile Workers' (UAW) Industrial Emergency Response Training on health and safety conditions and practices in plants is described. Two strategies are combined in this 24-hour training: the use of peer (worker) trainers and a participant-centered approach, the Small Group Activity Method (SGAM). Methods Impact was assessed through a telephone survey of 67 trainees conducted on average 16.8 months post-training. Results 74% of trainees reported using at least one of the provided written training materials after training. Of those reporting an accident in their facility after training, 88% said it was handled differently because of training. Trainees report that peertrainers are more knowledgeable and communicate better than do other types of trainers. Trainees also reported that SGAM made training more applicable to their workplace. 98.5% of trainees like the methods utilized. Conclusions Worker-trainers and SGAM are effective training methods enhancing the long-term impact of union-based workplace health and safety training programs.

It is possible to enhance a workplace health and safety training program through the introduction of ATT without compromising participant-centered, group learning program philosophies.