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Principal Investigator / Institution

David Turcotte

David Turcotte

Research Professor, Department of Economics
Tel (978)934-4682
Fax (978)934-3071
[email protected]

 

Program Contact

Thomas Estabrook, Ph.D.

Project Director / Co-Principal Investigator
Tel 978-934-3397
[email protected]

Program Description

University of Massachusetts
TNEC-CSER Health and Safety Training

The New England Consortium-Civil Service Employees Association (TNEC-CSEA) is a partnership between the University of Massachusetts Lowell; four New England coalitions for occupational safety and health in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire; and CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME in New York.

Through high-quality training based on evidence-based science and best practices in worker health and safety and adult education, TNEC-CSEA will train workers exposed to hazardous materials, responding to disasters and post-event cleanups, at risk for workplace injuries and the misuse of opioids, and workers from various populations. TNEC-CSEA draws on its strength as a consortium of a university, non-profit worker advocacy organizations, and a large union of public sector workers to network and build relationships with a multitude of government, university, business and non-profit stakeholders. TNEC-CSEA uses proven adult education methods that are hands-on, small-group, learner-centered, and worker empowerment-oriented to maximize its impact on workplace health and safety.

TNEC-CSEA aims to expand and strengthen its program through new innovations in blended learning, infectious disease and disaster preparedness, extreme weather, and chemical safety, and expanded delivery of training to disproportionately affected populations and those most at risk for injury and opioid use disorder. Continued training will prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in thousands of workplaces by linking the best available science for worker protection with stakeholders in its network of safety and governmental professionals, unions, public health and environmental organizations, worker and job training centers, and Tribal entities. The Consortium will use its advisory boards and highly skilled staff, experienced in adult education and worker health and safety, to translate knowledge about a broad range of issues – from hazardous materials to opioids to extreme weather and disasters. Protective and preventive interventions are put into practice, and trainings are conducted in English and Spanish. TNEC-CSEA does this through direct training of workers and trainers, supporting the worker health and safety movement, and linking stakeholders together in creative and fundamental ways.

Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program (HWWTP)

Under the HWWTP, TNEC-CSEA targets workers who are employed in various industries in New York and the six New England states. Workers are employed in manufacturing, health care, hazardous materials response and remediation, environmental, construction, and utilities. The Consortium also targets workers in public sector industries, such as transportation, public safety, public works, health care, and environmental jobs. Focus is given to training federal, state, county, and municipal employees with an emphasis on untrained workers and the community non-profits that serve them, as well as job training, worker centers, and Tribal entities in New England.

HAZMAT Disaster Preparedness Training Program (HDPTP)

Under the HDPTP, TNEC-CSEA targets public sector skilled response personnel, independent daycare providers, untrained workers, community-based nonprofits, worker centers, and Tribal entities in New York and the six New England states. 

Project Duration

  • July 25, 2025 - May 31, 2030 (HWWTP, HDPTP)

Grant Numbers

  • U45 ES006172 (HWWTP, HDPTP)

Other Participating Organizations

(https://cseany.org/safety )