Performance and evaluation of small construction safety training simulations.

BACKGROUND Back- and fall-related injuries occur frequently in construction and are costly in terms of workers' compensation claims and lost productivity. Interventions are needed that address the susceptibility to these injuries. AIMS The purpose of this study was to develop and test a safety training intervention for small construction companies (</=10 employees) in Kentucky, USA. This paper will focus on the performance and evaluation of these simulation exercises, not their effectiveness in preventing injuries. METHODS The intervention consisted of six latent-image narrative simulation exercises targeted at prevention of back- or fall-related injuries, which emphasized both the economic impact of injuries and the benefits of individual and organizational prevention strategies. Participants included owner-operators, supervisors and employees. Analyses were completed to determine participant scores on the intervention along with their perceptions of the quality, realism and applicability of the training. RESULTS Mean pooled performance scores (percentage correct) were 83.3% [standard deviation (SD) = 8.9, n = 143] for three back simulations and 85.2% (SD = 8.9, n = 159) for three fall-related simulations. Mean total evaluation scores (percentage of maximum) were 83.1% (SD = 11.6) and 85.5% (SD = 11.7) for the back and fall simulations, respectively. Quality and realism evaluation scores were significantly higher than scores for applicability to work. CONCLUSION Simulations were well received as safety training exercises. Given the heterogeneous work classifications found in small construction companies, it may be preferable to target safety intervention content to specific trades rather than aim for generality across trades.