Implementing and evaluating novel safety training methods for construction sector workers: Results of a randomized controlled trial

•VR-based safety training has potential to increase safety competencies.•VR-based training offers an effective method for boosting safety self-efficacy.•Even small technical issues may influence outcomes related to VR-based safety training.•The broader form of Human Factors safety training should be e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of safety research 2020-12, Vol.75, p.205-221
Main Authors: Nykänen, Mikko, Puro, Vuokko, Tiikkaja, Maria, Kannisto, Henriikka, Lantto, Eero, Simpura, Frans, Uusitalo, Jose, Lukander, Kristian, Räsänen, Tuula, Heikkilä, Tarja, Teperi, Anna-Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accident prevention
Adult
Clinical trials
Computer applications
Construction industry
Construction Industry - statistics & numerical data
Female
Finland
Human factors
Human factors safety training
Humans
Immersive virtual reality
Male
Mathematical models
Middle Aged
Motivation
Occupational Health - statistics & numerical data
Occupational safety
Safety
Safety locus of control
Safety Management - methods
Safety motivation
Safety self-efficacy
Safety training
Self Efficacy
Statistical analysis
Training
Virtual Reality
Workplaces
Young Adult
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Summary:•VR-based safety training has potential to increase safety competencies.•VR-based training offers an effective method for boosting safety self-efficacy.•Even small technical issues may influence outcomes related to VR-based safety training.•The broader form of Human Factors safety training should be evaluated in the future. Introduction: The construction industry is regarded as one of the most unsafe occupational fields worldwide. Despite general agreement that safety training is an important factor in preventing accidents in the construction sector, more studies are needed to identify effective training methods. To address the current research gap, this study evaluated the impact of novel, participatory safety training methods on construction workers’ safety competencies. Specifically, we assessed the efficacy of an immersive virtual reality (VR)-based safety training program and a participatory human factors safety training program (HFST) in construction industry workplaces. Method: In 2019, 119 construction sector workers from eight workplaces participated in a randomized controlled trial conducted in Finland. All the study participants were assessed using questionnaires at baseline, immediately after the intervention and at one-month follow-up. We applied generalized linear mixed modeling for statistical analysis. Results: Compared to lecture-based safety training, VR-based safety training showed a stronger impact on safety motivation, self-efficacy and safety-related outcome expectancies. In addition, the construction sector workers who participated in the VR-based safety training showed a greater increase in self-reported safety performance at one-month follow-up. Contrary to our study hypotheses, we found no significant differences between the study outcomes in terms of study participants in the HFST training condition and the comparison condition without HFST training. Conclusion: Our study indicates that VR technology as a safety training tool has potential to increase safety competencies and foster motivational change in terms of the safety performance of construction sector workers. In the future, the efficacy of participatory human factors safety training should be studied further using a version that targets both managerial and employee levels and is implemented in a longer format. Practical implications: Safety training in virtual reality provides a promising alternative to passive learning methods. Its motivating effect complements other safet
ISSN:0022-4375
1879-1247
DOI:10.1016/j.jsr.2020.09.015