Eileen P. BetitDirector, Research to Practice
CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training
Leveraging an Evidence-based Approachto Communicate Safety and Health
Information to Small Employers and their Employees
Industry is decentralized and fragmented
10.110.7 11.2 11.7 11.8
10.99.7
9.1 9.1 8.9 9.39.8 9.9 10.3
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Num
ber o
f em
ploy
ees
(in m
illio
ns)
Year
Construction Employees
Ø Multiple and changing worksitesØ Seasonal and cyclical work
Source:U.S.BureauofLaborStatistics,CPWR1st Quarter2017QuarterlyDataReport,
High number of fatalities
1,1711,278 1,243 1,297 1,239
1,016879
802 781 849 856933 985
0
300
600
900
1,200
1,500
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Num
ber o
f dea
ths
Year
Number of Construction Fatalities
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.BureauofLaborStatistics,CPWR1st Quarter2017QuarterlyDataReport.; “Data Mining, Analysis, and V isualization for Construction Fatality Prevention.” Kleiner, July 2016.
Source:U.S.BureauofLaborStatistics,2003-2015SurveyofOccupationalInjuriesandIllnesses.
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Rateper10,00
0FTEs
Num
berofinjuries(inth
ousand
s)
Year
Number and Rate of Construction Injuries
Numberofinjuries Rateofinjuries
High injury rate
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.SCensusBureau;CPWRConstructionChartBook5th Edition;CPWR2nd Quarter2015QuarterlyDataReport
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.SCensusBureau;CPWRConstructionChartBook5th Edition;CPWR2nd Quarter2015QuarterlyDataReport;photocourtesyofeLCOSH andHoarConstruction
Challenges to communicating safety & health information to small employers
Ø Limited safety & health knowledge Ø Perception that regulations are costlyØ Lack of resources for formal training
Can toolbox talks address the challenges and be an effective method to communicate S&H
information to small construction employers and their employees?
Toolbox Talks (also called tailgate talks) are:
Ø Used in construction for decadesØ Focused on a specific hazardØ Brief (10-20 minutes) Ø Conducted on a job-site in preparation for the
days workØ Delivered by the employer (foreman, etc.)Ø Used as sign-in sheet to document attendanceØ Affordable & accessible
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 promotehazard 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)
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 usedüToolbox Talks most effective
method 8%
13%
38%
41%
6%
16%
30%
48%
9%
16%
31%
44%
0% 20% 40% 60%
Other(text,email,etc)
ChainofCommand
Training
ToolboxTalks
2017(p)(n=334) 2015(n=254)
2012(n=263)
Top-3MostEffectiveCommunicationMethods%RankedFirst
What the industry says…
36%
83%
45%
89%
44%
85%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
VeryPositiveImpact
SomewhattoVeryPositive
2017p 2014 2011
Masonrycontractorssurveyed2011=145;2014=152;2017(p)=132
Useoftoolboxtalksonalljobs:2011=76%;2014=76%;2017(p)=74%
What makes an effective toolbox talk?
Ø Brief, scripted textØ Developed with input from stakeholdersØ Relevant to the jobsiteØ Includes visualØ Culturally relevant Ø Available in native languageØ Narratives that include ‘real-life’ storiesØ Prompts to encourage discussion &
problem solving
NIOSH Study: Value of toolbox talks with case studies & discussion questions
ØDeveloped case studies with stakeholder inputØCreated 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
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
CPWR built on the research findings
Ø Modified the formatØ Revised the content for readability and
technical accuracy
Moving research into practice
Ø Posted on websiteØ Translated into Spanish
Evidence of use…
Promoted - August 2013 – August 2017
Website–Downloads768,318
HardCopiesDistributed4,025
CPWRUpdate10shortarticles
ExampleofReach–1/2015“ColdWeather”
1,657downloads
772,343
Evidence of use…January 2014 – August 2017 – 46 posts
December9,2015“Scaffolds”
130downloads
June14,2016“WorkinginHeat”750downloads
April27,2017“FallProtection”141downloads
Building on the research – New Directions
Building on the research – New Directions
Developing and testing microgames
Building on the research – New Directions
Supporting New NIOSH Research
“Adapting NIOSH-CPWR toolbox talks for Spanish-speaking construction workers”
Evaluating microgames
Questions?