Training Methods and Association with Worker Injury on Colorado Dairies

Abstract

The goals of this study were to define the current methods for training entry-level workers on Colorado dairies, to measure the relationship of training methods to the incidence of work-related injuries on those operations, and to characterize the nature and cause of injuries reported by participating workers. Seventy-two workers from 15 dairies from Weld, Morgan, Larimer and Yuma counties volunteered to be interviewed privately in the language of their choice. Training methods were classified by content (task training versus safety training), method of delivery (on-the-job verbal instruction, on-the-job demonstration, on-the-job supervision, classroom- based, and / or reading materials); and instructor (supervisor and/or co-worker). The majority (84.7%) of interviewed workers were Mexican-born, Spanish-speaking males. Most workers reported the training to be a combination of verbal instruction, demonstration and supervision. Twenty-nine of 72 (40.3%) of all participants suffered at least one work-related injury in the 12 months prior to the interview. Entry-level safety training had no protective effect (P = 0.463) on the reported incidence of injury in dairy workers in the previous year. However, workers that received task-related training were four times less likely to suffer a work-related injury (P = 0.008). Training conducted by a co-worker also had a significant protective effect against work-related injuries (P = 0.028). Dairy workers identified direct contact with livestock or machinery as the main cause for work-related injuries, and most injuries occurred while medicating sick cows and milking.

A Guide to the Design of Occupational Safety and Health Training for Immigrant, Latino/a Dairy Workers

“…When safety information is viewed as meaningful, valuable, and relevant to everyday experiences, it may enhance motivation to learn and aid with memorization and recollection processes (63). One way to ensure OSH training reflects workplace realities is to integrate it with task training as much as possible (13). Whether delivered separately or in conjunction with task training, careful attention should be made to acknowledge what is feasible or realistic for the workers.…”

“…Román-Muñiz et al (13) found that training provided by coworkers had a protective effect against work-related injuries, but this effect was not found when provided by dairy managers. They speculated that coworkers may be better able to deliver safety information in an informal and culturally acceptable manner, compared to managers who may have inadequate Spanish language skills and/or a limited comprehension of the cultural factors that influence effective communication (p. 23).…”

“…For instance, the previously mentioned study by Román-Muñiz et al (13) did not find a significant relationship between safety training and injury outcomes. This is not surprising given that training on U.S. dairy farms is often not adequately tailored for an immigrant, Latino/a workforce (10, 12).…”

“…Due to this lack of regulation, OSH training on U.S. dairies is scant, varied in terms of content and scope, and not applied universally (12–16). Román-Muñiz et al (13) interviewed 72 workers representing 15 dairies to better understand current training available on Colorado dairies. Nearly three quarters reported receiving task-related training (73.6%), while just over half (56.9%) reported receiving safety training upon being hired.…”

The occurrence of M. bovis cases in U.S. cattle, 2001–2011

“…Human-to-cattle spread of M. bovis is more likely to occur on dairy operations in which human/animal contact is frequent and a large part of the workforce is Hispanic [7][8][9]. In one study of 165 human M. bovis cases from 1995 to 2005, Hispanics, relative to non-Hispanics, had 10 times the odds of having M. bovis than M. tuberculosis [10].…”