Luis A. Vazquez, MPH¹, Peter Dooley, CIH, CSP², James Howe, CSP³, Andrew J. Comai, MS¹, Sherrod Elledge², and Kim Lane². (1) UAW Health & Safety Department, UAW Health & Safety Department, 8000 East Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48214, 313-926-5612, lvazquez@uaw.net, (2) UAW Health and Safety Department, 8000 East Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48214, (3) Health & Safety Department, United Automobile Workers, International Union, 8000 E. Jefferson Aveune, Detroit, MI 48214

The Health and Safety Department of the International Union, United Auto Workers has long made use of photography in multiple settings. Workplace photographs accompany inspection reports, fatality and injury investigations, and appear in union health and safety publications to illustrate occupational hazards. Photographs in training curricula enhance workers' and union representatives understanding of occupational health issues. Photos tell a story of their own, but also provide visual representation of written descriptions used in reports and curricula. Four examples of photography use will be: 1) Using photos with text to describe an emergency response training program. 2) Using photography to describe circumstances of fatalities. 3) An exercise using photos showing specific OSHA violations. 4) Demonstrating ergonomic principles applied to specific jobs by showing before and after photos.

Lessons learned include: Creative use of photgraphy enhances health and safety training programs. Digital photgraphy has advanced, making it easy to use and process photgraphs. Equipment is affordable for workers and local unions. Photographs of workplace hazards can inform workers and health and safety representatives, by making training programs more effective.

Learning Objectives: Participants in this session will be able to

• Understand and articulate the benefits of using photographs to describe industrial hygiene concerns. 2)Describe essential features and components of using photographs in the occupational health field through four distinct examples. 3)Describe how workers can gain knowledge and information through use of visual media. 4)Describe lessons learned, and discuss how they may apply to similar efforts in the future.

Keywords: Occupational Health, Workplace Safety

Related Web page: www.uaw.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment