Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training

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Abstract Climate change continues to adversely affect vulnerable communities which predominately affects people of color. This is evident in Puerto Rico as hurricanes, flooding and serve weather continue to create health hazards that disproportionately affect the island’s citizens, including those involved in work related to remediation and rebuilding efforts after a disaster. The Sustainable Workplace Alliance will conduct training for workers and volunteers involved in response and recovery efforts after a declared disaster. The training would ensure workers are aware of physical and health hazards and mitigation techniques prior to and during response activities. Those workers and community volunteers trained would understand potential health hazards encountered during remediation work after a disaster including mold, lead paint and asbestos exposure. Under this project, we expect to deliver 56 classes covering 13 topics and 4,699 contact hours. The delivery of this training will provide essential training to a minimum of 564 workers and vulnerable community members. The topics we will deliver under this project include the following: • Renovation, Repair and Painting (Lead Paint) • Muck and Gut • Asbestos Awareness • Asbestos Worker • First Aid & CPR • Powered Industrial Truck • OSHA 10 Hour Construction • OSHA 7.5 Hour Site Disaster Worker • OSHA 15 Hour Site Disaster Worker • Hurricane Preparedness and Response • Fall Protection • Respiratory Protection • Psychological First Aid The overarching goal of this project is to reduce injuries and illnesses to workers when performing remediation, demolition, and rebuilding work as a result of a disaster. This project will include program assessment with a goal to evaluate: • The model plan for treating mold damage in Puerto Rico • The challenges faced due to the unique construction methods and materials used in Puerto Rico • How effective our outreach was to workers and community members • The identification of additional best practices during a disaster and during disaster response • Language justice issues that can help foster improvement in disaster prep and recovery communications