Results of an Opioid Hazard Awareness Training Intervention for Stone, Sand, and Gravel Miners

Abstract

In the USA, miners are at higher risk for work-related disorders that could precipitate an opioid prescription, injury-related opioid prescriptions, and opioid overdose. We aimed to support prevention of these outcomes with an “opioid hazard awareness” miner safety training module. In January and February 2020, the training module was embedded within required mining safety and health training for stone, sand, and gravel miners in Massachusetts (USA). Training impact and reception were assessed with a pre- and post-training survey of trainee characteristics, training content knowledge, and attitudes. Over 800 miners were trained and over 600 responded to surveys. We found statistically significant improvements in opioid risk factor knowledge and knowledge of resources to help a coworker. Nonstigmatizing attitudes were high both at baseline and following the training. The training was perceived as relevant and useful by trainees. Improving opioid hazard awareness in high-risk worker populations has potential to reduce opioid dependence and downstream impacts including overdose death. Employer injury-prevention efforts should be reinforced while worker health and safety training enhances awareness of opioid-related harms and prevention strategies for miners and other high-risk worker populations.

Dissemination and Evaluation of an Opioid Hazard Awareness Training for Stone, Sand, and Gravel Miners

“…While training workers is important, it is only one component of a comprehensive workplace program to address opioids at work. Additional strategies such as injury prevention programs and recovery-supported workplace efforts should complement such training 17,40,41…”

“…While training workers is important, it is only one component of a comprehensive workplace program to address opioids at work. Additional strategies such as injury prevention programs and recovery-supported workplace efforts should complement such training 17,40,41 (see https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/RRW-hub). All training materials including the slides, trainers’ guide, survey, fully narrated web-hosted training, and employer guide are available for use at no charge by contacting the author or visiting (see https://www.uml.edu/Research/CPH-NEW/education-training/Opioid-Hazard-Awareness/).…”

“…In 2020, I developed an Opioid Hazard Awareness module for required safety refresher training for the Massachusetts stone, sand, and gravel sector—the largest mining employment sector in every state in the United States 33 . We trained more than 800 miners in Massachusetts and found strong evidence through pretraining and posttraining survey data that the training was impactful and well received by the trainees 34 . In November 2020 through January 2023, we promoted a revised national version of the training for use by mine safety trainers throughout the United States.…”

“…33 We trained more than 800 miners in Massachusetts and found strong evidence through pretraining and posttraining survey data that the training was impactful and well received by the trainees. 34 In November 2020 through January 2023, we promoted a revised national version of the training for use by mine safety trainers throughout the United States. Here, we report on those dissemination efforts and the results of the national posttraining survey findings.…”