Toolbox Talks to Prevent Construction Fatalities: Empirical Development and Evaluation
Sponsor
The Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation research program is supported with funding from a cooperative agreement with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Grant U60OH008472) through the Public Health Division of the Oregon Health Authority.
Published In
Safety Science
Document Type
Citation
Publication Date
7-1-2016
Abstract
Three studies were conducted to develop and evaluate safety toolbox talks about fatal construction incidents. Study 1 surveyed workers (n = 28) about existing pre-shift meetings. An evidence-based structure for toolbox talks was developed, and study 2 evaluated our selected line drawing illustration format with workers (n = 30). Study 3 evaluated supervisors’ talks using: (1) new toolbox guides and (2) long-form investigation reports with workers from eight construction crews.
In study 1, 25% of the sample reported never conducted safety meetings. In study 2, compared to photos, line drawings increased the distance workers’ could correctly identify hazards by over 1.5 m. In study 3, the new format was preferred by 82% of supervisors, saved them 15 min preparation/presentation time, and produced favorable impacts with workers.
Brief scripted toolbox talks made it easier for supervisors to share fatal stories and prevention recommendations with their crews. When the format includes scripted text for the supervisors, prompts for discussion and action items, and line drawings worker understanding can be enhanced.
Locate the Document
DOI
10.1016/j.ssci.2016.02.009
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/18834
Citation Details
Ryan Olson, Alexandra Varga, Annie Cannon, Jamie Jones, Illa Gilbert-Jones, Erika Zoller, Toolbox talks to prevent construction fatalities: Empirical development and evaluation, Safety Science, Volume 86, July 2016, Pages 122-131