Matthew A Taylor1, Oliver Wirth2, Marc Olvina3, Alicia M Alvero3. 1. Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, USA; Department of Psychology, Queens College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, USA. Electronic address: taylormatthewa@yahoo.com. 2. Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, USA. 3. Department of Psychology, Queens College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The effects of training content consisting of examples and/or non-examples was studied on the acquisition of safety-related skills. METHOD: Participants (N=160) were randomly assigned to first receive computer-based training on office ergonomics that included either no examples of safe or at-risk postures, safe examples only, at-risk examples only, or both safe and at-risk examples. Participants then attempted to classify as safe or at-risk various postures depicted in short video clips and demonstrate with their own posture the range of safe postures. RESULTS: Groups that were trained with both safe and at-risk examples showed greater classification accuracy and less error in their demonstration of safe postures. Training with only safe or at-risk examples resulted in a moderate amount of error and a consistent underestimation of risk. CONCLUSION: Training content consisting of both examples and non-examples improved acquisition of safety-related skills. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The strategic selection of training content may improve identification of risks and safe work practices. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION: The effects of training content consisting of examples and/or non-examples was studied on the acquisition of safety-related skills. METHOD:Participants (N=160) were randomly assigned to first receive computer-based training on office ergonomics that included either no examples of safe or at-risk postures, safe examples only, at-risk examples only, or both safe and at-risk examples. Participants then attempted to classify as safe or at-risk various postures depicted in short video clips and demonstrate with their own posture the range of safe postures. RESULTS: Groups that were trained with both safe and at-risk examples showed greater classification accuracy and less error in their demonstration of safe postures. Training with only safe or at-risk examples resulted in a moderate amount of error and a consistent underestimation of risk. CONCLUSION: Training content consisting of both examples and non-examples improved acquisition of safety-related skills. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The strategic selection of training content may improve identification of risks and safe work practices. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Authors: Michael J Burke; Sue Ann Sarpy; Kristin Smith-Crowe; Suzanne Chan-Serafin; Rommel O Salvador; Gazi Islam Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2005-12-27 Impact factor: 9.308