%0 Journal Article
%T Evaluation of changes in knowledge and attitude among youth after a one-hour introduction to workplace safety and health: Safety Matters
%J Journal of safety research
%D 2024
%A Okun, Andrea
%A Guerin, Rebecca
%A Smith, Roberta
%A Baker, Devin
%A DiMeo-Ediger, Michelle
%V 89
%N 
%P 306-311
%X INTRODUCTION: Young workers in the United States are injured at higher rates than adults, a trend that has persisted for more than two decades. Despite known risks, young people enter the workforce with little-or-no preparation for the hazards they may face. In 2016, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and American Industrial Hygiene Association developed Safety Matters, a one-hour educational module to raise awareness of workplace safety and health among young people. <br><br>METHOD: A pilot project was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Safety Matters to positively change workplace safety and health knowledge and attitude scores among a sample of 283 youth in Colorado. Train-the-trainer sessions prepared volunteer safety and health professionals to deliver Safety Matters with fidelity and to conduct the assessment immediately prior to and following the program. <br><br>RESULTS: After receiving Safety Matters, participants had statistically significant (p < 0.001) increased scores for both workplace safety and health knowledge (Cohen's d = 1.12; large effect size) and importance (attitude) (Cohen's d = 0.51; medium effect size). Although univariate analyses showed knowledge and attitude scores significantly increased for all demographic groups examined, there were statistically significant differences in knowledge scores by participant age (p < 0.01), ethnicity (p < 0.05), and race (p < 0.001) and statistically significant differences in attitude scores by participant race (p < 0.001). However, when race and ethnicity were both used as predictors in a regression model, only race continued to predict statistically significant (p < 0.01) changes in knowledge and attitude. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This project introduces a promising, community-based model for a one-hour introduction to workplace safety and health on which future, job-specific safety training can be built. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Safety and health professionals can play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young workers. Adapting health and safety programs to diverse youth populations may enhance program relevance and receptivity.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 0022-4375
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2024.02.001