Implementation of an Occupational Sun Safety Intervention: A Comparison of Two Scalability Strategies.

OBJECTIVE

Two methods for scaling up an evidence-based occupational sun protection program were compared.

METHODS

Regional districts ( n = 138) in 21 state Departments of Transportation throughout the United States were randomized to receive the Go Sun Smart at Work program via in-person or digital scalability methods in 2019-2022 in 1:2 ratio. Managers completed pretest and posttest surveys and employees completed posttest surveys. Because of the COVID pandemic, only posttest measures were analyzed ( n = 255 managers; n = 1387 employees).

RESULTS

After scale-up, more employees reported training (b = 0.381, P = 0.021) and communication (b = 0.112, P = 0.049) at workplaces in in-person rather than digital strategy. There were no differences in managers' reports of sun protection training, communication, or actions by scalability method ( P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Occupational sun protection was implemented during program scale up and employees recalled training/communication more in the in-person than digital strategy.