Occupational safety and health knowledge and health literacy Cross-sectional survey among trainees

Introduction Trainees have less knowledge and less practice than trained employees with respect to occupational safety and health (OSH). Individual health literacy is also not yet well developed among young adults. Therefore, this group has an increased exposure profile and an increased risk of occupational accidents. This paper examines OSH knowledge and the link between OSH and health literacy among second year apprentices. Methods On the basis of a survey of vocational schoolteachers on OSH, various topics of OSH were extracted. Then, in a cross-sectional survey, trainees from different sectors (office work, technology/retail and health services/welfare) were asked about their knowledge and the application of OSH measures. In addition, health literacy was assessed using the Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16) and checked for correlations with knowledge about OSH and its application. Results A total of 72 vocational schoolteachers participated in the survey (response rate 63%). It was found that they do not teach all OSH topics. The trainees (N = 391) had more knowledge about practical health protection topics than about its operational organization. Trainees from the health and welfare services stated more often that they were able to apply their knowledge in everyday work. Weak to moderate statistically significant correlations of OSH and health literacy were observed (knowledge of OSH r = 0.23, p < 0.001, application of knowledge of OSH r = 0.26, p < 0.001). Conclusion More attention should be paid to a better interlocking of the teaching contents on OSH in vocational schools and the practical application of these contents in the training company. The correlation of health literacy on the basis of the HLS-EU-Q16 and OSH knowledge and its application could indicate a conceptual expansion of work-related health literacy among trainees.