Relative Effectiveness of Worker Safety and Health Training Methods

Abstract

Training involving behavioral modeling, a substantial amount of practice, and dialogue is generally more effective than other methods of safety and health training. The present findings challenge the current emphasis on more passive computer-based and distance training methods within the public health workforce.

Time trends and predictive factors for safety perceptions among incoming South Australian university students

“…However, compared with introductory safety education in schools, safety training received during paid employment is likely to be more immediate and relevant, and thus more engaging and effective (Burke et al, 2006). Safety behavior may be easier to modify than safety attitudes and thus it is suggested that safety training interventions target behavior.…”

The dread factor: How hazards and safety training influence learning and performance.

“…We performed these tests to evaluate the consistency of our findings with the earlier reported meta-analysis by Burke et al (2006). For tests of Hypotheses 3 and 4, we tested for the expected interaction within a meta-analytic context using the common subgrouping technique (see Hunter & Schmidt, 2004).…”

“…In effect, more engaging forms of learning are expected to not only improve knowledge acquisition in training contexts but also promote the transfer of knowledge to the job, especially in regard to the development of anticipatory thinking for avoiding accidents in both routine and nonroutine types of work. Burke et al (2006) reported a meta-analysis that examined the relative effectiveness of safety and health training methods according to the extent to which trainees participated in the learning process. Their meta-analytic findings were consistent with the theoretical argument that as the method of safety and health training becomes more engaging (going from passive, less engaging methods, such as lecture, to experiential-based, highly engaging methods, such as hands-on training that incorporates dialogue), the training becomes more effective, resulting in greater knowledge acquisition, a higher level of safety performance, and a greater reduction in accidents and injuries.…”

“…Given the above theoretical arguments and empirical findings in the literature concerning the effect of highly engaging forms of training on learning and performance, the publication of 38 additional training studies since 2003, when Burke et al's (2006) data-collection efforts concluded, and the recent government study and policy statement by Robson et al (2010) that questions the relative effectiveness of highly engaging safety training in comparison to low/moderate engagement safety training, we constructively replicated the investigation of Burke et al in regard to the training outcomes that are most relevant to this investigation (i.e., changes in knowledge and safety performance associated with training). More specifically, we tested the following hypotheses:…”

Wearable simulations for ill-health conditions in construction

“…An innovative mechanism for increasing understanding is by empathic modelling 'whereby an individual, using various props and scenarios, is able to simulate the deterioration of physical and periodical refreshers, is an explicit requirement of the UK's health and safety legislation and research emphasises its importance (Burke et al, 2006;Dufficy, 2001, Linker et al, 2005Loosemore et al, 2003;Mowlam et al, 2010).…”