In collaboration with the California Department of Public Health’s Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (OLPPP), HRA evaluated the effectiveness of OLPPP’s educational materials and outreach to workers who use lead on the job. OLPPP investigates occupational lead poisoning cases and educates employers, workers, and health professionals on ways to prevent occupational and take-home lead exposure.

HRA conducted focus groups in northern and southern California with workers in lead-using industries. The focus groups were conducted in English and Spanish with workers whose blood lead levels were reported to the state’s Adult Blood Lead Registry, and with workers who have not been tested for lead. Through these discussions, HRA will assess whether workers understand the core messages in OLPPP’s print and video materials, face barriers in take protective actions at work, and their preferred methods for receiving health information.

HRA analyzed the participant demographic data and qualitative data from the focus groups to identify key themes. We partnered with OLPPP to convene occupational health stakeholders and discuss the findings and recommendations for enhancing education and outreach for workers, and develop a plan to evaluate OLPPP’s employer education and outreach. A report to OLPPP summarizing the project findings and recommendations for worker outreach and educational initiatives will be completed in spring 2013.