Precast Inc. - May/June 2008 - (Page 59) purchase videos or CDs that allow the trainees to both hear and see the content at the same time. OSHA, the CDC (Center for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov) and NIOSH (National Institute of Safety and Health, www.cdc.gov/niosh) have quite an array of Spanish materials available on their Web sites. You can also obtain the same material in English and Spanish through the eLCOSH (Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety, www.cdc.gov/elcosh) of the CDC. Another good source is the Oregon OSHA Web site: Visit http://egov.oregon.gov/DCBS and search for the PESO program. Also, the National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA) offers several Spanish-language resources from its online bookstore “The NPCA Shop” at www.precast.org. If your plant is located in an area of heavy Hispanic influence, you will be able to find bilingual safety professionals who can develop your policies and programs as well as your training materials in both languages. They will also be able to present this training in Spanish and English to your employees. If you use verbal or visual presentations, try to include as many pictures or objects as possible to help communicate your ideas. If you are teaching electrical safety, for example, provide an extension cord with a ground and one without so that they can see the difference. Do not take yes for an answer One practice among trainers is to ask the trainees whether they understood the material presented to them. The answer is generally a “yes” or a nod of the head, which usually means that they have no idea what you just said. Remember, most employees, Hispanics or not, are afraid to lose their jobs or do not want to appear ignorant in front of others, so their responses will be “yes.” Try using other methods to see the effectiveness of your training such as asking questions or asking them to explain to you what they just heard. One effective method is to administer a short written test on each subject at the end of the presentation. This is not a “pass or fail” test, but a way to determine their level of knowledge on the subject and for their understanding and comprehension. If they do not know an answer, review the material with them and explain it in detail until you are sure they understand it. Listen to what your safety trainees have to say, and you will be surprised at the results. Once you have gained their confidence, they will be more forthcoming about problems or hazards that they are aware of but are afraid to volunteer on a regular basis. Remember, training is required by law, and it is the employer’s responsibility to offer that training in a manner BOOTH 1215 MAY/JUNE 2008 | WWW.PRECAST.ORG 59 http://www.cdc.gov http://www.cdc.gov/niosh http://www.cdc.gov/elcosh http://egov.oregon.gov/DCBS http://www.precast.org http://www.precast.org
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