A program for the reduction of occupational injuries and changes in safety culture among stevedores at Port of Havana, Cuba.

This study describes the structure, process, and impact of a comprehensive sixteen-month safety enhancement program among stevedores at the Port of Havana, Cuba. Our objective was to reduce occupational injury risk and improve safety conditions by enhancing hazard knowledge and identification as well as improving safety behavior. The target group for the training program consisted of 185 male stevedores in one port terminal. A comparison group of 105 male stevedores was included from another terminal where the program was not implemented. Other personnel were included in the program. The training covered a number of safety procedures and used various training methods. As contrasted with the comparison group, injury incidence decreased in the intervention group, accompanied by significant improvements in safety knowledge and behavior and injury hazard identification. The practices of the program led to safety enhancements in the port and are being considered for adoption in other ports in Cuba.