03-2277. Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a list of information collection requests under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). To request a copy of these requests, call the CDC Reports Clearance Officer at [phone]. Send written comments to CDC, Desk Officer, Human Resources and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503. Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project: Evaluating Toolbox Training Safety Program for Construction and Mining (OMB No. 0920-0535)—Extension—National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of various educational approaches utilizing “toolbox” safety training materials targeted to construction and mining industries. The mission of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is to promote safety and health at work for all people through research and prevention.

In comparison to other industries, construction and mining, workers continue to have the highest rates of occupational fatalities and injuries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated for 1999 that while the construction industry comprises only 6% of the workforce, they account for 20% of the fatal occupational injuries across all industry types (BLS, 1999). Similarly, though the mining industry comprises less than .5% of the workforce, this industry reflects 2% of all fatal occupational injuries (BLS, 1999).

Research on the effectiveness of safety and health training programs has revealed that training can lead to increases in worker knowledge and awareness of workplace safety practices. However, fewer evaluations of safety training effectiveness have investigated the relationship between various instructional approaches and the actual transfer of safety training information into workplace practices. Preliminary input from employees, managers, and union leaders representing construction and mining concerns revealed a desire in these industries for affordable safety training materials that can be effectively administered in short sessions on the job.

Representatives from these industries reported that safety training sessions need to establish a closer connection between the safety recommendations and the background experiences and knowledge of the workers. An instructional approach that may address these needs is often called “toolbox” or “tailgate” training. This type of training is characterized by brief (15 minute) workplace safety lessons. Despite the popularity of toolbox safety talks, research is needed to identify the most effective format for this medium. NIOSH will investigate the impact of using a narrative, case-study instructional approach versus a more typical, didactic “learn the facts” approach. Comparative analyses will examine differences in knowledge gain, safety attitudes and beliefs, and workplace behaviors. Findings from this research will help identify the conditions critical to effective toolbox safety training for mining and construction. The materials developed and evaluated during this study will be made available to the public at the conclusion of the evaluation.

Construction and mining companies who participate in the study will be randomly assigned to receive eight weekly toolbox safety training sessions that use either a case-study narrative or conventional instructional approach. The training sessions are designed to last fifteen minutes. The impact of these materials will be evaluated through the examination of changes in employee knowledge gains, attitudes toward safety practices, and the use of safety behaviors prior to and following their participation in the safety training program. Trainers will complete brief response cards each week. A sample of trainers will participate in structured interviews. Findings of the study will be reported to participants and in the literature. The total annual burden for this data collection is 233 hours.

Respondents	Number of respondents	Number of responses/respondent	Average burden/response (in hours)
Worker Pre-training Survey (attitude survey)	412	1	15/60
Worker Post-training Survey (attitude survey)	412	1	15/60
Instructor Feedback Cards	41	8	5/60

Dated: January 27, 2003.

Thomas Bartenfeld,

Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.