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Maria Lazo, Ruth Ruttenberg & Associates, Inc., 5107 Benton Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301-571-4226, bcantrell@georgemeany.org and Brenda M. Cantrell, BA, Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program, George Meany Center for Labor Studies-National Labor College, 10000 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903.
The author shares information on three projects of the Railway Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program -- bringing Hazmat training to Spanish-speaking railworkers. Since its inception in 1990, the Program has provided training for thousands. Belonging to seven different rail craft unions, a number of the trainees were of Hispanic origin. But, all had sufficient English language skills to participate in English-based training. In order to reach individuals with limited or no English, the program has done the following:
1.Delivered a 4-day Chemical Emergency Response course for Spanish-speaking and Native American rail workers. Peer trainers with multiple language skills served as translators and some material was delivered in the native languages of participants. In evaluation (with Spanish language pre- and post-tests and surveys) there was unanimous enthusiasm, as well as gratitude, for receiving training, usually for the first time, that individuals could understand and master. Even for those who understood English, the program provided an opportunity to ask questions without embarrassment and to participate actively in small group activities, was exciting.
2.Just a few months after developing a web page for the rail program, it was translated into Spanish. Many hits go beyond the rail community. Some go beyond the borders of the United States. There are multiple links to important Spanish-language resources on the Internet – including the NIOSH Pocket Guide in Spanish.
3.Translated its on-line Hazardous Materials Awareness course into Spanish. Participants are able to earn a certificate of completion for their work.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Training, Hispanic
Related Web page: www.hazmatgmc.org
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.