HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: AJPH.2004.059840v1 96/2/315    most recent Submit a response Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (10) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Burke, M. J. Articles by Islam, G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Burke, M. J. Articles by Islam, G. Related Collections Occupational Health Public Health Practice Public Health Workers

Michael J. Burke, PhD, Sue Ann Sarpy, PhD, Kristin Smith-Crowe, PhD, Suzanne Chan-Serafin, BA, Rommel O. Salvador, MBA and Gazi Islam, BA

Michael J. Burke is with the Organizational Behavior Area, A. B. Freeman School of Business, and the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, La. Sue Ann Sarpy is with the South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness and the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University. Kristin Smith-Crowe is with the David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Suzanne Chan-Serafin, Rommel O. Salvador, and Gazi Islam are with the Department of Organizational Behavior, A. B. Freeman School of Business, Tulane University, New Orleans.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Michael J. Burke, PhD, A. B. Freeman School of Business, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118 (e-mail: mburke1{at}tulane.edu).

Objectives. We sought to determine the relative effectiveness of different methods of worker safety and health training aimed at improving safety knowledge and performance and reducing negative outcomes (accidents, illnesses, and injuries).

Methods. Ninety-five quasi-experimental studies (n=20991) were included in the analysis. Three types of intervention methods were distinguished on the basis of learners’ participation in the training process: least engaging (lecture, pamphlets, videos), moderately engaging (programmed instruction, feedback interventions), and most engaging (training in behavioral modeling, hands-on training).

Results. As training methods became more engaging (i.e., requiring trainees’ active participation), workers demonstrated greater knowledge acquisition, and reductions were seen in accidents, illnesses, and injuries. All methods of training produced meaningful behavioral performance improvements.

Conclusions. Training involving behavioral modeling, a substantial amount of practice, and dialogue is generally more effective than other methods of safety and health training. The present findings challenge the current emphasis on more passive computer-based and distance training methods within the public health workforce.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K.-P. Martimo, J. Verbeek, J. Karppinen, A. D Furlan, E.-P. Takala, P P. F M Kuijer, M. Jauhiainen, and E. Viikari-Juntura Effect of training and lifting equipment for preventing back pain in lifting and handling: systematic review BMJ, February 23, 2008; 336(7641): 429 - 431. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. A. Burke and H. M. Hutchins Training Transfer: An Integrative Literature Review Human Resource Development Review, September 1, 2007; 6(3): 263 - 296. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. M Smith and C. A Mustard How many employees receive safety training during their first year of a new job? Inj. Prev., February 1, 2007; 13(1): 37 - 41. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]