Tailoring Safety Training Material to Migrant Farmworkers: An Ergonomic User-Centred Approach

Abstract

Lectures are the most commonly used training method but may not be effective in communicating safety information among migrant workers because of language and cultural barriers. The comprehension of safety information is particularly urgent in highly hazardous sectors such as agriculture, which has a high migrant workforce rate. In this study, an ergonomic user-centred approach was adopted to develop and evaluate safety training material targeting migrants employed on Italian farms. Focus groups with both trainers and migrants were carried out to collect information on critical issues in traditional training material, the most and least comprehended topics and suggestions for training improvement. Based on the focus group analysis, the training material was developed considering several visual factors and more engaging interaction between trainers and migrant trainees. The usability of the developed material was then evaluated in a group of 20 migrant farmworkers through a questionnaire assessing the knowledge of safety information before (T0) and after (T1) the training (effectiveness), perceived effort in learning (efficiency) and user satisfaction after training. The results showed improved knowledge, low perceived effort and high satisfaction, pointing to the positive effects of active user involvement when designing targeted training materials.

Innovating Occupational Safety Training: A Scoping Review on Digital Games and Possible Applications in Agriculture

“…To deliver safety and health training, several methods are used [ 6 , 7 ] and they can be more or less passive. The least engaging methods include lecture, adoption of videos and written materials as pamphlets, whereas progressively more engaging training methods consist of feedback interventions, computer-based instructions associated with hands-on demonstrations, and finally behavioral simulation as the most engaging training method [ 8 ].…”

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Employers and H&S Services in Relation to the COVID-19 System in Polish Manufacturing Companies

“…In the field of education and training, there appears a widely understood and constantly developing concept of e-learning, which can be simply explained as distance learning. Its advantages usually include flexibility and mobility, i.e., the possibility of conducting the educational process at any time and at any place [18,20]. Moreover, a lack of territorial limitations is mentioned as one of the most important advantages.…”

“…Moreover, it is characterized by the involvement of employees in the formation of safety culture [18]. The effectiveness of the conducted training is influenced by the selection of an appropriate training method [19,20].…”

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