International Total Worker Health: Applicability to Agribusiness in Latin America

Abstract

Total Worker Health^® (TWH) is a framework for integrating worker and workplace safety, health, and well-being, which has achieved success in European and US settings. However, the framework has not been implemented in Latin America or in agricultural sectors, leaving large and vulnerable populations underrepresented in the implementation and evaluation of these strategies to improve safety and promote health and well-being. This study presents a case study of how a TWH approach can be applied to a multinational Latin American agribusiness. We describe the process and adaptation strategy for conducting a TWH assessment at multiple organizational levels and in multiple countries. We follow this with a description of a TWH leadership training that was conducted based on the results of the assessment. Finally, we describe our methods to make corporate recommendations for TWH policies and programs that were informed by the TWH assessment and leadership trainings. With this case study we aim to demonstrate the importance and feasibility of conducting TWH in Latin America.

Keywords: agriculture; health climate; health promotion; health risk assessment; occupational health and safety; safety climate.

Figure 1

International Total Worker Health (TWH) Conceptual Model.

Figure 2

Pantaleon Organizational Chart. The needs assessment was conducted at all levels of the organization, including headquarters and all departments within each national branch. Footnotes indicate employees who participated in (1) the organizational assessment (human resource managers only), (2) key informant interview and focus groups, and leadership self-assessment, and (3) the employee health and safety culture survey and the health risk assessment.

Figure 3

Timeline of TWH Needs Assessment and Leadership Trainings at Pantaleon.