A Randomized, Controlled Intervention of Machine Guarding and Related Safety Programs in Small Metal-Fabrication Businesses

Abstract

SYNOPSISObjectives. Metal fabrication employs an estimated 3.1 million workers in the United States. The absence of machine guarding and related programs such as lockout/tagout may result in serious injury or death. The purpose of this study was to improve machine-related safety in small metal-fabrication businesses.Methods. We used a randomized trial with two groups: management only and management-employee. We evaluated businesses for the adequacy of machine guarding (machine scorecard) and related safety programs (safety audit). We provided all businesses with a report outlining deficiencies and prioritizing their remediation. In addition, the management-employee group received four onehour interactive training sessions from a peer educator.Results. We evaluated 40 metal-fabrication businesses at baseline and 37 (93%) one year later. Of the three nonparticipants, two had gone out of business. More than 40% of devices required for adequate guarding were missing or inadequate, and 35% of required safety programs and practices were absent at baseline. Both measures improved significantly during the course of the intervention. No significant differences in changes occurred between the two intervention groups. Machine-guarding practices and programs improved by up to 13% and safety audit scores by up to 23%. Businesses that added safety committees or those that started with the lowest baseline measures showed the greatest improvements.Conclusions. Simple and easy-to-use assessment tools allowed businesses to significantly improve their safety practices, and safety committees facilitated this process.

Industrialization in developing countries brings alterations in the life and can lead serious health consequences

“…The researcher was recommended that Simple and easy-to-use assessment tools allowed businesses to significantly improve their safety practices, and safety committees facilitated this process. 9 The third objective of the study was to find out the association of knowledge and practices with selected socio demographic variables.…”

Findings From the National Machine Guarding Program

“…At baseline, machines frequently lacked point of operation and other critical safeguards. 11,12 Participants received on-site training and a report with detailed recommendations for improving machine guarding and related programs such as LOTO. One-year follow-up assessments found improvements of 7.5 percentage points (from 58.5% to 66.0% in the half of the businesses with lowest baseline scores) in machine guarding and 12.0 percentage points (52.3% to 64.3%) in safety programs.…”

“…One-year follow-up assessments found improvements of 7.5 percentage points (from 58.5% to 66.0% in the half of the businesses with lowest baseline scores) in machine guarding and 12.0 percentage points (52.3% to 64.3%) in safety programs. 11 …”

Interventions: Advancing the State of the Art

“…Several studies describe interventions focused at multiple levels or at levels other than the traditional one of individual employees. 19,20,23 We believe this latter area is a particularly fruitful direction for future studies, given most employees' lack of resources and power to effect change.…”

“…A number of investigators used quantitative measures to assess change; for example, injury rates, 15,23 airborne concentrations, 16 biomarkers, 13,21 work practices, 14,20,23 and program elements. 20 Others employed self-reports of symptoms 4 or knowledge, attitudes, and work practices. 12,[17][18][19] We are greatly encouraged by the number and variety of articles included in this supplement.…”