TRAINING RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

Selected Projects by Category

Field Studies/Assessments

• Hearing Loss Intervention for Carpenters
• Evaluation of Toolbox Training in Construction and Mining
• HIV Information Dissemination Project
• Core OSH Training for New/Young Workers
• OSH Fact Sheets

Classroom Testing

• Evaluation of CD-ROM HAZMAT Refresher Training
• Confined Space Computer Based Training
• Evaluation of Electrical Safety High School Curriculum

Laboratory Testing

• Noise Control: Web-Based Outreach

Hearing Loss Intervention for Carpenters

Project Summary
NIOSH has developed a comprehensive hearing loss intervention program for carpenters that is designed to cultivate behaviors that will reduce their incidence of occupational hearing loss. Carpenters are known to develop occupational hearing loss early, becoming substantially impaired by middle age.

This project will collect observational data to assess the Hearing Loss Prevention Program's (HLPP) effectiveness in promoting carpenters' work site hearing health behaviors. It will expand upon existing partnerships between NIOSH and labor-management organizations within the construction industry to field test and evaluate this program. Measures to be evaluated include factors related to the feasibility of program adoption as well as knowledge gained by participants, behavioral intentions of participants, and correlation with actual workplace behaviors. The results of this effectiveness research will contribute directly to a reduction in noise-induced hearing loss among construction workers. The model approach utilized in this program may also be applicable to a wide range of occupationally noise-exposed workers.

Application of Health Communication Theories
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NIOSH presentation addressing occupational hearing loss and prevention. Presented on August 9, 2000, in Baltimore, MD, at the Third Annual Force Health Protection Conference.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in the Construction Industry
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NIOSH presentation addressing occupational hearing loss and prevention in the construction industry. Presented on March 15, 2001, in Washington, DC, at OSHA's Advisory Committee for Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH).

NIOSH Lifting Equation

Project Summary
Use of NIOSH lifting equations (LE), developed and refined after many years of research, can make a significant impact on occupational safety and health, contributing to lowered incidence of low back disorders. To achieve these results, however, (1) the LE must be widely available to safety and health (S&H) professionals in a format that is easy to use and (2) training and guidance must be provided to these professionals to assure accurate measurement of the lifting variable required LE.

This project is meeting these needs by developing and evaluating the effectiveness of an electronic instructional program (CD-ROM) on the proper use of the NIOSH LE.

The Effectiveness of a NIOSH Multimedia Training Program
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Presented on October 2002, in Baltimore, MD, at Best Practices In Occupational Safety and Health, Education, Training and Communication Conference

OSH Job Fact Sheets

Project Summary
Through this project, NIOSH is partnering with NFIB and the Ohio BWL to study ways to meet the health and safety informational needs of small business owners. This project will: 1) identify and review existing training materials and programs; 2) prepare a set of informational materials; and, 3) evaluate the effectiveness of these materials in encouraging small business owners to make health and safety changes in their workplace.

Evaluating Toolbox Training in Construction and Mining

Project Summary
This project will fill gaps in current knowledge regarding the critical elements, formats and approaches of toolbox training sessions. "Toolbox" or "tailgate" training are short (usually 10- to 15- minute, weekly) lesssons conducted on-site prior to work shifts. They are a primary mode of worker occupational safety and health (OS&H) training employed in small construction companies.

• Would you like to see if you can participate in the Toolbox Training Study?

=Examining the Impact of Narrative Case Studies in Toolbox Talks for Building Construction -
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Poster - Impact of Case Studies in Toolbox Safety Talks
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Presented on October 2002, in Baltimore, MD, at Best Practices In Occupational Safety and Health, Education, Training and Communication Conference

Core OSH Training for New/Young Workers

Project Summary
Through this project, NIOSH has created a core curriculum in occupational safety and health focusing on the special needs of new and young workers. In partnership with the state directors of career and technical education, the curriculum will be evaluated in schools and ultimately disseminated in print and on the web.

HIV Information Dissemination Demonstration Project

Project Summary
The purpose of this project is to develop and pilot a demonstration health communication intervention to: (1) raise the awareness of health care workers (clinical and non-clinical) and administrators about the recommendations in the NIOSH Needlestick Alert and future NIOSH publications; and (2) decrease occupational exposure to HIV-1 by increasing prevention behaviors among workers, and influencing administrator's policy-decisions and buying behaviors. During the project, multiple messages will be delivered to the three target audiences: clinical health care workers, non-clinical workers, and health facility managers. Evaluation of communication effectiveness will be a major component of the project.

Evaluation of CD-ROM HAZMAT Refresher Training

Project Summary
This study will evaluate the adequacy of a HAZMAT refresher computer-based training program for firefighters that is supplemented by access to an 'expert performer' on-site. The specific aim is to demonstrate that the CBT is comparable to currently required classroom refresher training.

Confined Space Computer-Based Safety Training

Project Summary
The purpose of this project is to conduct effectiveness research on the new 21-hour CD/web-based hybrid course on confined space. In addition to the CD/web-based component, this course is supplemented by two days of trainer-led instruction, instead of the three days of entirely trainer-led instruction that is in traditional confined space courses. Through active partnerships with CPWR, Georgia Tech, and the OSHA Training Institute, NIOSH will provide assistance in developing retention/performance measures, coordinating collection of data, conducting data analyses, and collaborating on writing of reports. Comparisons between participants receiving the traditional instruction with participants receiving the new hybrid instruction will be made with respect to pre-training, post-training, and follow-up measures examining knowledge gains, safety attitudes and safe-work practices. Study results will provide information regarding the viability of alternative computer-based OSH-training practices, with implications for possible cost savings in the field of workplace training.

Evaluation of Electrical Safety High School Curriculum

Project Summary
Pre-job training in occupational safety and health is one form of intervention that may reduce the disproportionately high rate of injuries occurring in new and young workers. The potential effectiveness of pre-job health and and safety training depends upon how effectively the curriculum is delivered to the students and integrated into their trade programs. Though this project, schools tested will use a newly designed NIOSH electrical safety curriculum during the 1999-2000 school year. Students' knowledge gain, safe work attitudes and beliefs, and behavioral intentions on the job were assessed and compared to students who completed the current, generic electrical trades training program. Based on the study findings, the student manual was revised and published in 2002.

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-123 (2002) has been superseded by Publication Number 2009-113.

Development of a Training Manual for Wood Pallet Manufacturing Industry

Project Summary
NIOSH researchers are investigating occupational safety and health concerns in the small business wood pallet manufacturing industry. Pallet makers have an injury rate 226% greater than for general industry. The study will include walk-through evaluations at wood pallet manufacturing companies, environmental measurements, and the development of educational materials designed to meet the needs of owners and their workers. Measurements were taken of carbon monoxide (CO) levels, noise levels, ergonomic observations, and occupational safety practices. These materials will offer suggestions as to how these hazards might be ameliorated.

Noise Control: Web-Based Outreach

Project Summary
Through this project, NIOSH will develop and maintain information systems dedicated to translating research findings from the NORA noise program of research into usable recommendations, emphasizing the needs of construction and mining industries. Effectiveness and impact of the website will be assessed by tracking use of the site, implementing laboratory usability tests, and targeted queries examining workplace changes implemented as a result of information dissemination. This will involve work with noise team scientists to synthesize their peer-reviewed publications and research results into both technical and lay documents packaged for web distribution.