FY25-FY29 WTP HWWTP

Sustainable Workplace Alliance, Inc., Lake Wales FL

Investigators

Abstract

The Sustainable Workplace Alliance (SWA) proposes to reach multiple audiences with its model program for educating communities and training workers under the Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program (HWWTP). These populations are unlikely to know the inherent risks of the work they do, the hazards created by pollution or hazardous materials, and the most effective ways to protect themselves from these harms. The overarching goal of this program is to prevent work-related harm by teaching workers how best to protect themselves and their communities from exposure to hazardous materials while at work. For the last twelve years, SWA and its alliance partners have been leading the HAZMAT P.A.C.T. (Pacific Atlantic & Caribbean Training) initiative, and as a continuation of that initiative, we will focus on providing outreach in Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. Additionally, we will service the U.S. Territories of the Pacific Islands, including American Samoa, Guam and Saipan. Typical trainees would include remediation contractors, site demolition, debris removal, and post-emergency cleanup; laborers who work with mold, asbestos, or lead-based paint; and abatement workers performing work at Superfund or brownfield sites. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022) there are over 123,362 workers employed in hazardous waste and remediation (NAICS 562) jobs in our geographical target areas. There are an additional 1,957,553 workers employed in construction fields (NAICS 23) in our geographical target areas. Over the five-year term of the HWWTP, SWA and its alliance partners will conduct 300 classes, train 3,305 hazardous material and waste workers, resulting in 36,560 contact hours of training. Graduates of the model training program will be able to recognize hazards in the workplace and avoid hazards through engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment. This model training and outreach program is designed to teach workers how to recognize hazards and how to eliminate or reduce hazards through engineering controls, administrative controls or personal protective equipment. Students trained under this model program experience fewer workplace injuries and fatalities resulting in a positive effect on public health.