From Awareness to Action: The Community of Sarnia Mobilizes to Protect its Workers from Occupational Disease

Our plain-English summary of From Awareness to Action: The Community of Sarnia Mobilizes to Protect its Workers from Occupational Disease, by D. Kramer, K. McMillan, E. Gross, et al (New Solutions, 2015).

The study

• Authors: D. Kramer, K. McMillan, E. Gross, A.J. Kone Pefoyo, M. Bradley, D.L. Holness
• Journal: New Solutions
• Published: 2015;25(3):377-410
• Cited by: 3 articles, as counted by NIH iCite
• Read it: PubMed · Publisher

Abstract

An exploratory qualitative case study investigated how different sectors of a highly industrialized community mobilized in the 1990s to help workers exposed to asbestos. For this study, thirty key informants including representatives from industry, workers, the community, and local politicians participated in semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The analysis was framed by a "Dimensions of Community Change" model. The informants highlighted the importance of raising awareness, and the need for leadership, social and organizational networks, acquiring skills and resources, individual and community power, holding shared values and beliefs, and perseverance. We found that improvements in occupational health and safety came from persistently communicating a clearly defined issue ("asbestos exposure causes cancer") and having an engaged community that collaborated with union leadership. Notable successes included stronger occupational health services, a support group for workers and widows, the fast-tracking of compensation for workers exposed to asbestos, and a reduction in hazardous emissions.

© The Author(s) 2015.

In plain English

This qualitative case study examined how Sarnia, Ontario, a small city dominated by the petrochemical industry, mobilized in the 1990s after becoming aware of asbestos-related illness. The researchers interviewed a convenience sample of 30 key informants: 7 from labor, 9 community members, 6 local politicians and 8 industry representatives. They also held two focus groups. The sick and dying workers came mainly from two companies, the Holmes Foundry and Fiberglas Canada. Almost every respondent said publicity focused on asbestos alone rather than on workplace carcinogens in general. Labor activists said that, through the occupational clinic, compensation was obtained for more than 700 workers. Industry was seen as the dominant community power, and workers feared retribution for demanding safer conditions. Many interviewees now saw exposures as a "legacy issue". The authors reported that the concerted union-community effort had all but ceased, though the victims' group still lobbied about asbestos. The authors concluded that success depended first on a clear, concrete definition of the issue that was easy to communicate. They noted it is a unique case study and that only four First Nations members were interviewed.

We wrote this plain-English summary from the full article with the help of AI, and a second AI model checked each sentence against the article. It is not the authors' wording; the abstract and the article are their own account.

What the study did and found

• Design: Exploratory qualitative case study using semi-structured interviews and focus groups, framed by a "Dimensions of Community Change" model; a historical account as remembered by key informants
• Who was studied: 30 key informants in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada: 7 labor, 9 community members, 6 local politicians and 8 industry representatives (members of the Sarnia-Lambton Environmental Association). Two focus groups were also held, one of community activists and one of petrochemical company management. The informants were a convenience sample recruited through the research team's existing network.
• Exposure: Workplace asbestos exposure in Sarnia's industries. The sick and dying workers came mainly from the Holmes Foundry and Fiberglas Canada. No fiber types or doses are given.
• Main results:
  • Almost every respondent said the publicity focused only on the health impact of asbestos, not on occupational carcinogens in general.
  • Labor activists said that, through the occupational clinic, they obtained compensation for more than 700 workers.
  • The dominant theme on power was the perception that industry is the dominant power in the community.
  • Workers and retirees feared retribution if they demanded improved health and safety.
  • Many interviewees from each group considered occupational exposures (mostly referring to asbestos) a "legacy issue" rather than a current problem. This view was not universal.
  • The authors reported that the advocacy effort and the strong collaboration between the unions and the community on occupational health and safety had all but ceased.
  • The victims' group (VOCV) continued to lobby for awareness and action on the dangers of asbestos exposure.
  • In separate, not yet published work, the researchers asked eight union locals over three months to find workers who thought they may have been exposed to asbestos but had not filed for compensation. None were identified.
• The authors' conclusion: The authors concluded that the successful campaign to raise awareness about asbestos depended first on a clear, concrete definition of the issue that was easily communicated throughout the community. They also pointed to a confluence of factors, including leadership, networks, union power and perseverance.
• Limitations the authors state:
  • It is a unique case study of a small city with one major industry, so the findings may not transfer elsewhere.
  • Participants were a convenience sample recruited through the research team's own network.
  • The Aamjiwnaang First Nations Reserve was under-represented; only four First Nations members were interviewed.
  • External social, economic, political and global factors were excluded from the analysis because too few respondents answered questions on them.
  • One company offered an exposure data set, but permission to use it was not granted.

Topics

Medical terms in this study, explained in our Lexicon: Occupational Disease, Asbestos Exposure.

Related studies

• Greek employee awareness of carcinogenic exposure — C. Chatzis, K. Karvounis, et al. (2004)
• Exposure science will not increase protection of workers from asbestos-caused diseases: NIOSH fails to provide needed public health action and leadership — R.A. Lemen, H. Anderson, et al. (2011)
• Carotenoid actions and their relation to health and disease — N.I. Krinsky, E.J. Johnson (2005)
• Use of death certificates in epidemiological studies, including occupational hazards: variations in discordance of different asbestos-associated diseases on best evidence ascertainment — I.J. Selikoff, H. Seidman (1992)
• A history of awareness of asbestos disease and the control of occupational asbestos exposures in The Netherlands — L. Burdorf, P.H. Swuste, et al. (1991)
• Awareness of Asbestos and Action Plans for Its Exposure can Help Lives Exposed to Asbestos — H.J. Lee, E.K. Park, et al. (2013)

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