A National Survey of Health and Safety Knowledge and Beliefs Among Technical Vocational Faculty in Autobody Collision Repair Technology.

Objectives: Career technical education (CTE) programs prepare new generations of technicians in a variety of trades. Even though occupational safety and health (OSH) ought to be included as an essential part of CTE curricula it is frequently absent or inadequately taught.

Methods: OSH knowledge and beliefs were assessed in a national sample of 125 secondary and post-secondary faculty in autobody collision repair technology.

Outcomes of a Safety and Health Educational Intervention in Auto Body and Machine Tool Technologies Vocational College Programs: The Technical Education Curricula for Health and Safety (TECHS) Study.

Technical Education Curricula for Health and Safety (TECHS) is a research collaboration between safety and health professionals and vocational instructors in three Minnesota colleges. Curriculum materials, including full and refresher modules with of classroom presentations, lab activities, homework, and quizzes, were developed for auto body collision technology (ABCT) and machine tool technology (MTT) programs. Curricula were implemented during the 2015-2018 academic years.

Career readiness: Finding a place for health and safety education.

Background: Studies have identified gaps in health and safety knowledge and work practices of vocational students in the United States and abroad. Little is known about what, how, when, or if health and safety are taught and if the teaching that takes place is effective. Faculty skilled in their technical area may lack knowledge related to health and safety and pedagogy.

Health and Safety Education in Auto Body Collision and Machine Tool Technology Programs in Vocational Colleges: Challenges and Opportunities.

Collision repair, machining, and metal manufacturing are industries with a large percentage of small businesses whose owners face unique challenges implementing health and safety regulatory requirements. Previous research found that 72% of collision repair technicians and 47% of machinists attended some classes or graduated from vocational colleges. Although health and safety is a mandatory part of the curricula for post-secondary vocational education, little is known about what, how, and when health and safety is taught and if teaching is effective.

Findings From the National Machine Guarding Program: Safety Climate, Hazard Assessment, and Safety Leadership in Small Metal Fabrication Businesses.

Objectives: This manuscript assesses safety climate data from the National Machine Guarding Program (NMGP)-a nationwide intervention to improve machine safety.

Methods: Baseline safety climate surveys were completed by 2161 employees and 341 owners or managers at 115 businesses. A separate onsite audit of safety management practices and machine guarding equipment was conducted at each business.

Self-audit of lockout/tagout in manufacturing workplaces: A pilot study.

Background: Occupational health and safety (OHS) self-auditing is a common practice in industrial workplaces. However, few audit instruments have been tested for inter-rater reliability and accuracy.

Methods: A lockout/tagout (LOTO) self-audit checklist was developed for use in manufacturing enterprises.

Findings From the National Machine Guarding Program-A Small Business Intervention: Machine Safety.

Objectives: The purpose of this nationwide intervention was to improve machine safety in small metal fabrication businesses (3 to 150 employees). The failure to implement machine safety programs related to guarding and lockout/tagout (LOTO) are frequent causes of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations and may result in serious traumatic injury.

Methods: Insurance safety consultants conducted a standardized evaluation of machine guarding, safety programs, and LOTO.

Analysis of workers' compensation claims data for machine-related injuries in metal fabrication businesses.

Background: Metal fabrication workers are at high risk for machine-related injury. Apart from amputations, data on factors contributing to this problem are generally absent.

Methods: Narrative text analysis was performed on workers' compensation claims in order to identify machine-related injuries and determine work tasks involved.

Findings From the National Machine Guarding Program: A Small Business Intervention: Lockout/Tagout.

Objective: Failure to implement lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures adversely affects the rate of work-related fatalities and serious traumatic injury and is one of the most frequently cited Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. This study assesses the impact of a nationwide intervention to improve LOTO in small metal fabrication businesses.

Methods: Insurance safety consultants conducted a standardized and validated evaluation of LOTO programs and procedures.

National Machine Guarding Program: Part 2. Safety management in small metal fabrication enterprises.

Background: Small manufacturing businesses often lack important safety programs. Many reasons have been set forth on why this has remained a persistent problem.

Methods: The National Machine Guarding Program (NMGP) was a nationwide intervention conducted in partnership with two workers' compensation insurers.

National Machine Guarding Program: Part 1. Machine safeguarding practices in small metal fabrication businesses.

Background: Metal fabrication workers experience high rates of traumatic occupational injuries. Machine operators in particular face high risks, often stemming from the absence or improper use of machine safeguarding or the failure to implement lockout procedures.

Methods: The National Machine Guarding Program (NMGP) was a translational research initiative implemented in conjunction with two workers' compensation insures.

Two-year follow-up of the Collision Auto Repair Safety Study (CARSS).

This paper presents an evaluation of the sustainability of health and safety improvements in small auto collision shops 1 year after the implementation of a year-long targeted intervention. During the first year (active phase), owners received quarterly phone calls, written reminders, safety newsletters, and access to online services and in-person assistance with creating safety programs and respirator fit testing. During the second year (passive phase), owners received up to three postcard reminders regarding the availability of free health and safety resources.

The Collision Auto Repair Safety Study (CARSS): a health and safety intervention.

Background: Collision repair employs approximately 205,500 people in 33,400 shops. Workers are exposed to a diverse array of chemical, physical, and ergonomic hazards.

Methods: CARSS was based on a random and purposeful sample.

A comparison of owner and expert evaluation of health and safety in small collision repair shops: a pilot study.

Background: Workplace evaluation is one of the first steps in reducing the risk of injuries and illnesses, and is part of several programs that promote a participatory approach to occupational health among small business owners. The usefulness of written safety evaluations is contingent upon non-safety professionals obtaining accurate and reliable results.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to better understand auto body shop owners' ability to correctly identify occupational health and safety issues within their businesses.

Understanding safety climate in small automobile collision repair shops.

Background: In the United States, approximately 236,000 people work in 37,600 auto collision-repair businesses. Workers in the collision-repair industry may be exposed to a wide range of physical and chemical hazards.

Methods: This manuscript examines the relationship of safety climate as reported by collision repair shop workers and owners to: (1) an independent business safety assessment, and (2) employee self-reported work practices.

A qualitative evaluation of owner and worker health and safety beliefs in small auto collision repair shops.

Background: About 223,000 people are employed in approximately 34,500 auto collision repair businesses. In general, employees and owners in these establishments lack knowledge of health and safety practices and do not have the technical expertise to make their place of work safer.

Methods: Three employee and three owner focus groups were conducted.

Exposure assessment in auto collision repair shops.

Workers in auto collision shops are exposed to a variety of chemical and physical hazards. Previous studies have focused on measuring levels of isocyanates, but little is known about exposures to dust, noise, and solvents. In preparation for an intervention effectiveness study in small collision repair businesses, sampling was conducted on 3 consecutive days in four representative businesses with three to seven employees.

A randomized, controlled intervention of machine guarding and related safety programs in small metal-fabrication businesses.

Objectives: Metal fabrication employs an estimated 3.1 million workers in the United States. The absence of machine guarding and related programs such as lockout/tagout may result in serious injury or death.

Child labor, gender, and health.

It is often forgotten that child labor is part of a multi-generational problem due in part to the failure to educate girls. Although the literacy rate for women has improved over the last two decades, in many countries it is less than half that of their male counterparts. This in turn leads to nutritional deficiencies, poverty, and poor health.

Hazardous child labor: lead and neurocognitive development.

Hazardous child labor is challenging to define and quantify in the context of acute or chronic toxic exposures--either of which may cause significant disease and disability. Epidemiologic occupational studies in adults have documented many harmful outcomes secondary to exposure to toxic substances. Occupational surveillance efforts often have focused on acute injuries because they are more readily identified.