Hazardous waste worker education. Long-term effects

• Published in: Journal of occupational medicine Vol. 36; no. 12; p. 1310
• Main Authors: McQuiston, T H, Coleman, P, Wallerstein, N B, Marcus, A C, Morawetz, J S, Ortlieb, D W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-12-1994
• Subjects: Accidents, Occupational; Adult; Curriculum; Disaster Planning; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hazardous Waste; Health Education - methods; Humans; Inservice Training; Labor Unions; Male; Occupational Health
• DOI: 10.1097/00043764-199412000-00012
• ISSN: 0096-1736

This study illustrates how a union education center successfully integrated adult empowerment education principles into the teaching methods and curriculum of a health and safety training program. The 12-month follow-up phone survey involved 481 local union respondents each representing a separate plant site and a group of 50 manager trainees. The evaluation shows that the training manual continued to be used by more than 70% of respondents, more than 70% taught coworkers, more than 50% of union trainees went on to train their managers, and more than 90% identified problems at work and sought and obtained changes in programs, training, or equipment. More than 20% reported that major spills had occurred following training. The majority stated that the handling of the spills improved. More than 80% stated that the training better prepared them for their health and safety duties. The managers' data substantially supported union members' reports.