Worker safety training in public hospitals in Costa Rica

To develop a worker safety training program for its public hospital system, the Costa Rican Social Security System entered into a collaborative agreement with the University of Texas School of Public Health. A national survey to assess safety in the public hospitals revealed high rates of injury and under-reporting of injuries, as well a lack of worker safety training. A program developed based oil the results of the survey was implemented rising a training-of-trainers model. The program created opportunities for human resource development in occupational health in the hospital system, allowed for the sustainability of the training effort, and reduced dependency oil external funding. Over 3,700 workers were trained in its first three),cars.. and 57 trainers were established in local hospitals and clinics.