APHA
Back to Annual Meeting Page
 
American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
4186.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - Board 3

Abstract #104977

Cumulative study of the impact of occupational safety and health training interventions on worker knowledge, performance, and outcomes

Michael J. Burke, PhD1, Sue Ann Sarpy, PhD2, Kristin Smith-Crowe, PhD3, Suzanne Chan1, Rommel Salvador1, and Gazi Islam1. (1) School of Business, Tulane University, 640 Goldring/Woldenberg Hall, New Orleans, LA 70118, 504-862-3328, mburke1@tulane.edu, (2) Dept. Env. Health Sciences, South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL29, New Orleans, LA 70112, (3) David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, 1645 East Campus Center Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Recently, several narrative reviews have concluded that most training interventions have produced positive effects on safety knowledge, adoption of safe work behaviors and practices, and safety and health outcomes. However, these qualitative reviews are speculative as to specific factors that enhance the relative effectiveness of safety and health training interventions in reducing or preventing worker injury or illness. Notably, a fundamental question remains unaddressed within the scientific literature: “What is the relative effectiveness of different methods of safety and health training?” Using all literatures available since 1971, the present meta-analysis is the first across-occupation study to quantitatively test theoretical expectations concerning the relative effectiveness of different methods of worker safety and health training aimed at improving safety-related knowledge, behaviors, and outcomes. Intervention methods were distinguished based on learner participation in training: least engaging (e.g., lecture), moderately engaging (e.g., programmed instruction), and most engaging (e.g., behavioral modeling training). Results from 95 studies including 147 effects demonstrated that as training becomes more engaging (i.e., requiring active participation from the trainee), workers demonstrate greater knowledge acquisition and reductions in accidents, illnesses, and injuries. All methods of training produced meaningful behavioral performance improvements. These findings challenge the current emphasis on passive training techniques and lend support to research and practitioners who advocate for learner-centered, participatory approaches for worker safety and health training. Further, this study advances conceptualizations and communications of the effectiveness of safety and health training interventions and contributes to furthering the science and practice of worker safety and health.

Learning Objectives:

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Occupational Safety and Health Topics

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA