AN EVALUATION OF PEER AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS IN A UNION-BASED OCCUPATIONAL-HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING-PROGRAM

Social cognitive theory posits that behavior can be changed by observi ng others perform or describe performance of behaviors. This framework was applied to understanding health behavior change associated with w orkplace health and safety training. Questionnaires were developed and administered to 426 workers at a United Automobile Worker's Union hea lth and safety training program. Participants received training from o ne of three trainers: (1) local union discussion leaders (LUDLs), (2) professional staff trainers, or (3) LUDLs with professional staff trai ners. Data were collected in three phases: before, after, and three mo nths post-training. Findings show that subjects trained by LUDLs ident ify most closely with their instructors, whereas subjects trained by s taff trainers identify least closely with them. In addition, workers t rained by LUDLs reported changing behavior as a result of training mor e often than workers trained by others.