Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
8. International safety rating
4
17.0
9. Comprehensive ergonomics
3
51.6
10. Finnish national program
2
18.3
Half of the studies related to personnel selection select safe individuals. This shows
how the accident proneness concept still dominates industry. As demonstrated here, an
effect size of 3.7% is not convincing. We can write off this approach as inadequate.
Unfortunately the number of studies for the other programs was small, so one can only
draw limited conclusions. We will comment below on the programs that had three or
more studies.
TECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS
These studies had an average effect size of 29.0 %. They focused on accident prevention
for robots and automation. Automation and robots bring about new types of workplace
injuries. For example, a robot can catch an operator in its work envelope and press him
against a structure. This was in fact the scenario for the first robot fatality. The robot kept
pressing the operator against a pillar, and the operator could not breathe and he
suffocated. Thus, robots may require specific safeguards, such as sensors in the floor and
on the robot itself. We will return to these issues in the following section.
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATIONS
The effect size was 38.6%. A typical program consisted of basic safety information and
training in safe behavior. This was followed by a period of observation and feedback.
Feedback could be provided by supervisors to employees. One can also display accident
statistics and graphs in the workplace. Some of these programs included goal setting
and/or incentives to encourage the observation and feedback process among employees.
COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMICS
The effect size was 51.6%. Most of the studies involved a redesign of the work place or
equipment to improve the work conditions. Employees actively participated in the
program. One study emphasized the safety climate or safety culture. The following were
also used:
• Monthly tracking of safety statistics
• Safety seminars
• Ergonomics expert advice
INTERNATIONAL SAFETY RATING SYSTEM (ISRS)
The effect size was 17.0%. This is a safety audit program that addresses many topics,
including management and employee training, planned inspections, task analyses, group
meetings, personal communication, and accident analyses.
