Health and safety training in a sample of open-shop construction companies

Problem: Compared to other industries, construction has the third-highest death rate. Many agree, and research has shown, that one way to change these statistics is through effective worker safety and health training. Little is known about the quality and nature of safety and health training available to open-shop (nonunion) construction workers. Method: It was the goal of this preliminary study to provide some initial background information about the nature and quality of safety and training in open-shop construction operations. Results: While the majority of contractors surveyed did provide safety and health training, most did not quantitatively evaluate their training programs in terms of reduction in hazardous behaviors or exposures, or increased job satisfaction or productivity. Impact on industry: Learning about the major parameters (e.g., methods, policies, barriers, company/worker perceptions, etc.) influencing nonunion construction safety training will help guide future construction safety-related research and intervention strategies on a national basis. (C) 2001 National Safety Council and Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.