Effectiveness of pocket ark 2.0 in enhancing post-flood response and improved knowledge of workers: a pilot test study

Vollständiger Abstract

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Flood recovery workers, also known as reconstruction workers, face elevated occupational risks, including exposure to hazardous environmental conditions, infectious agents, and unsafe labor practices, yet often lack access to timely, culturally appropriate safety training and advocacy resources. Pocket Ark 2.0, a mobile application software, was developed as a bilingual, mobile digital decision-support and training platform designed to enhance occupational safety, preparedness, and worker advocacy during post-flood disaster recovery. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the usability, technology acceptance, and knowledge outcomes associated with Pocket Ark 2.0 among reconstruction workers participating in a simulated disaster-response training. Using a single-group, post-test study design, 55 reconstruction workers affiliated with a community-based worker advocacy organization completed interactive, scenario-based modules covering personal protective equipment, wage documentation, hazard reporting, communication, and resource navigation. Outcomes included pre- and post-knowledge assessments, the System Usability Scale (SUS), and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Participants demonstrated improvements in occupational safety knowledge following the simulation. Usability outcomes were strong, with a median SUS score of 86.25, indicating excellent perceived usability. Technology acceptance was high, with most participants reporting favorable perceptions of usefulness and ease of use. Language accessibility and prior familiarity with digital tools were significant predictors of usability and acceptance, underscoring the importance of culturally and linguistically tailored design. These findings support the feasibility of Pocket Ark 2.0 as a scalable, community-embedded digital intervention for enhancing safety training, preparedness, and advocacy among disaster recovery workers. Digital decision-support platforms that integrate education, communication, and resource coordination may represent an effective strategy for advancing occupational health equity in disaster response settings.