Total Worker Health for First Responders Needs Assessment
Disciplines
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
What are the effects of integrating Total Worker Health initiatives into the first responder workplace? Previous research indicates general success in the integration of Total Worker Health initiatives in the general population's workforce. Research shows that there is a positive relationship between proper integration of Total Worker Health and the reduction of health and safety hazards in the workplace. There is an overall gap in the literature in reference to how to apply Total Worker Health to First Responders, this research aims to bridge that gap. This study aims to conduct a needs assessment for both the awareness and integration of Total Worker Health interventions in First Responder leadership. We submitted an application to the KSU IRB and received approval to send out a survey. The survey consisted of a collection of questions which measured general awareness of Total Worker Health initiatives. We then distributed the survey through the national training academy for public safety officers, which was distributed nationally to different First Responder Safety leaders. The scales that were used measured safety leaders' awareness of interventions, as well as how relevant safety leaders felt current interventions were. We expect that descriptive statistics will reveal low existing knowledge levels of Total Worker Health and moderate to high levels of interest in learning more about Total Worker Health.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Kristin Horan
Total Worker Health for First Responders Needs Assessment
What are the effects of integrating Total Worker Health initiatives into the first responder workplace? Previous research indicates general success in the integration of Total Worker Health initiatives in the general population's workforce. Research shows that there is a positive relationship between proper integration of Total Worker Health and the reduction of health and safety hazards in the workplace. There is an overall gap in the literature in reference to how to apply Total Worker Health to First Responders, this research aims to bridge that gap. This study aims to conduct a needs assessment for both the awareness and integration of Total Worker Health interventions in First Responder leadership. We submitted an application to the KSU IRB and received approval to send out a survey. The survey consisted of a collection of questions which measured general awareness of Total Worker Health initiatives. We then distributed the survey through the national training academy for public safety officers, which was distributed nationally to different First Responder Safety leaders. The scales that were used measured safety leaders' awareness of interventions, as well as how relevant safety leaders felt current interventions were. We expect that descriptive statistics will reveal low existing knowledge levels of Total Worker Health and moderate to high levels of interest in learning more about Total Worker Health.