The role of worker education in preventing occupational lung disease

Training and education of workers in order to prevent occupational lung diseases represent a challenge to employers, unions, clinicians, and other interested groups. Programs attempting to meet this need range from simple programs in respiratory protection fundamentals and smoking cessation to programs that teach workers to understand and demand their right to a safe and healthful workplace. Support for educational programs has come from diverse sources, including government, labor, business, and independent organizations. In some cases nonprofit organizations have developed innovative programs, but it is important that the burden of preventing occupational lung disease through education not be carried by charitable organizations alone. The role of the clinician in this effort is to educate workers at every opportunity regarding lung hazards and to use early evidence of respiratory damage as a lever to increase the worker's understanding of his or her role in health protection.