Leveraging an Evidence-based Approach to Communicate Safety and Health Information to Small Employers and their Employees

Transcription

1 Leveraging an Evidence-based Approach to Communicate Safety and Health Information to Small Employers and their Employees Eileen P. Betit Director, Research to Practice CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training

2 Industry is decentralized and fragmented Ø Multiple and changing worksites Ø Seasonal and cyclical work 14.0 Construction Employees Number of employees (in millions) Year Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPWR 1 st Quarter 2017 Quarterly Data Report,

3 High number of fatalities Number of deaths 1,500 1, Number of Construction Fatalities 1,278 1,297 1,243 1,239 1,171 1, Year Note: In 2011, the CFOI switched to OIICS version 2.01 which categorizes slips, trips, and falls together. In previous years, slips and trips were categorized elsewhere.. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPWR 1 st Quarter 2017 Quarterly Data Report.; Data Mining, Analysis, and V isualization for Construction Fatality Prevention. Kleiner, July 2016.

4 High injury rate 180 Number and Rate of Construction Injuries 300 Number of injuries (in thousands) Number of injuries Rate of injuries Year Rate per 10,000 FTEs Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.

5 Dominated by small employers Ø 90% have <20 employees Ø About 80% have <10 employees Ø Most have low profit-margins and are under-resourced Sources: U.S Census Bureau; CPWR Construction Chart Book 5 th Edition; CPWR 2 nd Quarter 2015 Quarterly Data Report

6 Mobile and diverse workforce Ø Multiple employers and projects in a year Ø 30% Hispanic Ø Roughly 14% are employed by temp agencies Sources: U.S Census Bureau; CPWR Construction Chart Book 5th Edition; CPWR 2nd Quarter 2015 Quarterly Data Report; photo courtesy of elcosh and Hoar Construction

7 Challenges to communicating safety & health information to small employers Ø Limited safety & health knowledge Ø Perception that regulations are costly Ø Lack of resources for formal training

8 Can toolbox talks address the challenges and be an effective method to communicate S&H information to small construction employers and their employees?

9 Toolbox Talks (also called tailgate talks) are: Ø Used in construction for decades Ø Focused on a specific hazard Ø Brief (10-20 minutes) Ø Conducted on a job-site in preparation for the days work Ø Delivered by the employer (foreman, etc.) Ø Used as sign-in sheet to document attendance Ø Affordable & accessible

10 Can toolbox talks address the challenges and be an effective method to communicate safety? What the research says Ø Effective tailgate trainings (brief job site safety meetings) can be a powerful tool to promote hazard awareness and safe work practices. (Harrington, et.al., 2008) Ø Done well, these talks can improve communication, empower workers, reduce injuries and improve safety. (Kaskutas, et.al., 2016; Gillen, et.al., 2013)

11 What the industry says ØDodge Data Analytics contractor surveys: ü30% or more of respondents <50 employees ØWays to communicate safety to jobsite workers: ütoolbox Talks most often used ütoolbox Talks most effective method Top-3 Most Effective Communication Methods % Ranked First Toolbox Talks Training Chain of Command Other (text, , etc) 2017(p) (n=334) 2012 (n=263) 9% 6% 8% 16% 16% 13% 31% 30% 38% 44% 48% 41% 0% 20% 40% 60% 2015 (n=254)

12 What the industry says Masonry contractors surveyed 2011 = 145; 2014 = 152; 2017(p) = 132 Use of toolbox talks on all jobs: 2011 = 76%; 2014 = 76%; 2017(p) = 74% Somewhat to Very Positive 85% 83% 89% Very Positive Impact 36% 44% 45% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 2017p

13 What makes an effective toolbox talk? Ø Brief, scripted text Ø Developed with input from stakeholders Ø Relevant to the jobsite Ø Includes visual Ø Culturally relevant Ø Available in native language Ø Narratives that include real-life stories Ø Prompts to encourage discussion & problem solving

14 NIOSH Study: Value of toolbox talks with case studies & discussion questions ØDeveloped case studies with stakeholder input ØCreated 2 formats: 1. Treatment Group Toolbox Talks - contained a graphic, case study, discussion questions, safety information, sign-in sheet. 2. Conventional Group Toolbox Talks excluded the case studies and discussion questions

15 NIOSH findings shared with CPWR Ø 52 Draft Toolbox Talks Ø Case studies & discussion questions increased workers safety knowledge and influenced safety attitudes Ø Needed - Research on other techniques to enhance the impact of toolbox talks

16 CPWR built on the research findings Ø Modified the format Ø Revised the content for readability and technical accuracy

17 Moving research into practice Ø Posted on website Ø Translated into Spanish

18 Evidence of use Promoted - August 2013 August 2017 Website Downloads 768,318 Hard Copies Distributed 4,025 CPWR Update 10 short articles Example of Reach 1/2015 Cold Weather 1,657 downloads 772,343

19 Evidence of use January 2014 August posts December 9, 2015 Scaffolds 130 downloads June 14, 2016 Working in Heat 750 downloads April 27, 2017 Fall Protection 141 downloads

20 Building on the research New Directions

21 Building on the research New Directions Developing and testing microgames

22 Building on the research New Directions Supporting New NIOSH Research Adapting NIOSH-CPWR toolbox talks for Spanishspeaking construction workers Evaluating microgames

23 Questions?