Journal Article 'The End of Day' by Max Kalish: Reflections on Labor Sculptures, Industrial Age, and Health Get access Eric Persaud Eric Persaud Queens, 109-03 103 Ave, 11419, New York, United States Address correspondence to Eric Persaud, E-mail: epersau01@gmail.com https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4577-7975 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Public Health, fdae080, https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdae080 Published: 02 June 2024 Article history Received: 26 April 2024 Accepted: 16 May 2024 Published: 02 June 2024

In 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), became law, with one component being an investment to clean-up Superfund and Brownfield sites. Through BIL funding, the Environmental Protection Agency announced $3.5 billion to clean-up Superfund sites that have been awaiting funding for years in mostly historically underserved communities. As in many states, the 3 Superfund sites used as examples in this essay are in a metropolitan or surrounding area and in residential communities. The photos in this essay help highlight how hazardous waste sites have come to look like normal industrial sites and that communities are often unaware of the dangerous exposures they face. The author suggests that in the age of social media, taking pictures and documentation of hazardous waste sites today in our communities can help mobilize public awareness and drive action to be taken toward delayed clean-up.

Background: The International Safety Center disseminates the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) surveillance system to standardize a system for healthcare facilities to track mucocutaneous blood and body fluid exposures. Methods: Occupational exposure incidents to blood and body fluids were recorded within the participant health systems and hospitals ( N = 41), using the EPINet Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Report Form. Forms include detailed questions about the circumstances surrounding the exposure, including the type of exposure, body part(s) involved, and if the employee reporting the incident was wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Results: There were statistically significant differences between participants who wore PPE at time of exposure versus those who did not. Differences were noted by job category (χ 2 =32.91, p-value = <.001); where the exposure occurred (χ 2 = 32.31, p-value = <.001); what the exposure was a result of (χ 2 = 50.19, p-value = <.001); and day versus night shift (χ 2 = 11.47, p-value = .001). Conclusion/Applications to Practice: The study found that occupational exposure to blood and body fluids in 2021 remain high risk given the frequency with which they happen, the exposure site (face) and lack of PPE use. The pandemic seemed to matter little in changing frequencies despite high awareness and growing PPE availability and supply. The findings provide robust information about how exposures occur, why they remain high risk, and how important it is to improve reporting and surveillance to prevent occupational exposures and disease in healthcare in future.

Background: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Worker Training Program developed instructor curriculum, a training tool, and materials to prepare trainees to conduct opioids workplace awareness training. Opioids and the Workplace Prevention and Response (OWPR) Train-the-Trainer (TTT) courses were held during three instructor-led online programs. Methods: The OWPR TTT was evaluated using an online pre- and posttest among registered participants, and an assessment of discussion among trainees during the training program. Results: A total of 31 pretests and 24 posttests were completed for the three TTT courses conducted. Quantitative and qualitative data complemented each other in supporting the conclusion that the training achieved intended objectives. Conclusion/Applications to Practice: The evaluation illustrated that the training was effective in increasing knowledge and confidence in conducting awareness training on opioid use and addiction prevention.

Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of a national summer 2020 'Opioids and the Workplace' Prevention and Response (OWPR) Train-the-Trainer (TTT) and Leadership training tool and program at 6-month follow-up. The TTT program goal is to help instructors plan and conduct education and training on opioids and the workplace awareness. The Leadership program goal is to help trainees, who are in a position to take organizational level actions, implement policies, and programs related to opioid and substance use and injury prevention. Methods Trainees were from various backgrounds, such as labor unions, academic consortiums, health and safety professionals, government, and community organizations. About 6 months following each individual course date a follow-up survey was sent to each available participants' e-mail (n = 53 TTT, n = 28 Leadership) with a response rate of 47.2% for the TTT (n = 25) and 63.2% for Leadership (n = 12). Trainees were asked about individual or workplace level actions taken; any obstacles that prevented them or their coworkers from being involved in or conducting activities; if the OWPR training tool was used in their workplace for a training program; and whether the pandemic impacted their ability to address opioids in the workplace. Results Among TTT trainees, about half of follow-up survey respondents from the 2020 training reported planning and conducting training and education, reaching out to coworkers to see how they are doing, sharing factsheets and information from the opioid training with coworkers, and re-focusing on self-care. Among Leadership trainees, about two-fifths of follow-up survey respondents from the 2020 training reported sharing factsheets and information from the opioid training. Some trainees described the COVID-19 pandemic as limiting their ability to take actions in addressing opioids and the workplace. Conclusions Evidence supports that the 'Opioids and the Workplace' Train-the-Trainer program and materials have contributed to helping trainees plan and conduct opioids awareness training at their organizations. Evidence supports that the Opioids in the Workplace Leadership program helped contribute to trainees taking workplace level actions to implement policies and programs.

OBJECTIVE:Opioids and the Workplace Prevention and Response (OWPR) Train-the-Trainer (TTT) and Leadership programs were piloted to improve trainees' abilities to conduct opioid awareness training and to introduce policies and programs in their workplaces.METHODS:The TTT (N = 54) and Leadership (N = 19) pilot trainees were administered voluntary pre- and post-training surveys and observed for discussion on knowledge and confidence regarding teaching and on workplace policies and workplace injury prevention related to opioids.RESULTS:Percentage agreement with correct responses for all TTT and 10 out of 14 (71.4 percent) Leadership knowledge and confidence questions increased significantly from pre- to post-test.CONCLUSION:We found some evidence that the OWPR TTT and Leadership training programs and materials were effective in improving trainee's abilities to conduct opioid awareness training and to introduce policies and programs to address opioids and the workplace.

Health EquityVol. 6, No. 1 Letter to the EditorOpen AccessCreative Commons licenseUndocumented Americans Need Equitable Language in Worker TrainingEric PersaudEric Persaud*Address correspondence to: Eric Persaud, DrPH, MEA, 109-03 103 Avenue, South Richmond Hill, NY 11419, USA. E-mail Address: epersau01@gmail.comhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4577-7975South Richmond Hill, New York, USA.Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:29 Aug 2022https://doi.org/10.1089/heq.2022.0006AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Dear Editor:Undocumented immigrant American workers face barriers to adequate safety training and disparities in occupational health.1 The workplace plays a vital role in the lives of all Americans who perform the necessary work that keeps society functioning, including undocumented workers. It is important that workers receive training and education to perform their work safely and in a healthy manner.Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a shift from in-person training and education to virtual platforms due to the need to be socially distant, including occupational health and safety (OHS) training. There was a need to integrate COVID-19 and infectious disease control and prevention curricula into broader worker training programs. Some of those OHS trainings were conducted virtually, despite barriers that existed for many, including immigrants and persons of color, in technological access, comfort, and fluency.2Undocumented workers, often immigrants and persons of color, filled many of the roles of essential workers, and were disproportionately employed to work in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic in unsafe working conditions and environments.3 It remains unclear the effectiveness of OHS training undocumented workers received in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in some cases if any OHS training was even offered. Public health practitioners, researchers, and program planners need to further recognize how the COVID-19 pandemic has created changes in training and education for undocumented workers, who were already facing limitations in virtual and in-person services.At a minimum, the language for OHS training needs to be appropriate for the audience and competently delivered by the instructor.4 Language, however, is not just the dialect, for example, English, Spanish, or Vietnamese, but also using the words in a context the trainees understand.5 For example, undocumented workers may fear reporting injuries on the jobsite and unsafe working conditions, despite their right to do so under federal law without employer retaliation. Simply stating a worker can report injuries may not be enough for undocumented workers. Clarifying worker rights against employer retaliation regardless of their documentation status is important and should be emphasized in OHS training programs.1 This is one of many such examples of how language of worker rights to safety and health needs to be equitable to undocumented workers.There is a need to act toward ensuring that language equity is part of OHS training. Instructors need to engage those with lived experiences of undocumented status and advocate for such audiences to support review of curricula. The input of those with lived experiences can provide context and content an instructor may not have otherwise. Instructors should develop and deliver OHS training on a platform and in a language participants understand, provide translation of materials into languages that fit possible target audiences, and use terminology framed in a practical context applicable to the target audience. To do so would better prepare and protect all workers, including our undocumented workers who equally deserve and need safe working conditions and environments.Author Disclosure StatementNo competing financial interests exist.References1. O'Connor T, Flynn M, Weinstock D, et al. Occupational safety and health education and training for underserved populations. New Solut 2014;24(1):83–106; doi: 10.2190/NS.24.1.d. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar2. Make the Road New York. Excluded in the Epicenter: Impacts of the COVID Crisis on Working-Class Immigrants, Black, and Brown New Yorkers. 2020. Available from: https://maketheroadny.org/excluded-in-the-epicenter-impacts-of-the-covid-crisis-on-working-class-immigrant-black-and-brown-new-yorkers/ [Last accessed: May 4, 2022]. Google Scholar3. Faghri PD, Dobson M, Landsbergis P, et al. COVID-19 pandemic: What has work got to do with it? J Occup Environ Med 2021;63(4):e245–e249; doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002154. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar4. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Worker Training Program. Minimum Health and Safety Training Criteria Guidance for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) and HAZWOPER-Supporting Training. 2018. Available from: https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_get_blob.cfm?ID=11266 [Last accessed: May 4, 2022]. Google Scholar5. Brunette MJ. Development of educational and training materials on safety and health: Targeting Hispanic workers in the construction industry. Fam Community Health 2005;28(3):253–266; doi: 10.1097/00003727-200507000-00006. Crossref, Medline, Google ScholarCite this article as: Persaud E (2022) Undocumented Americans need equitable language in worker training, Health Equity 6:1, 638–639, DOI: 10.1089/heq.2022.0006.Abbreviation UsedOHSoccupational health and safetyFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 6Issue 1Dec 2022 Information© Eric Persaud 2022; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article:Eric Persaud.Undocumented Americans Need Equitable Language in Worker Training.Health Equity.Dec 2022.638-639.http://doi.org/10.1089/heq.2022.0006creative commons licensePublished in Volume: 6 Issue 1: August 29, 2022Open accessThis Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons License [CC-BY] ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.PDF download

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that large segments of the workforce–many of which were not previously considered or valued–are needed to keep the economy moving and critical societal functions going. From first responders to bus drivers, this expanded essential workforce needed training to build a solid knowledge of infectious disease protection practices. However, most workplaces had no existing plan or training for infectious disease exposure control. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Worker Training Program (WTP) was able to immediately respond with health and safety curricula, resources, and course delivery based on decades of building capacity for disaster and infectious disease response.