Evaluation of HomeSafe: an injury and illness prevention program in residential construction

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bigelow, Philip L.^; | Gilkey, David P. | Greenstein, Scott | Kirsch, Michael P.

Affiliations: Department of Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety Section, Colorado State University, 104 Environmental Health Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA | Technical Assistance and Training Corporation, 2409 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: + 1 970 4916151, fax: + 1 970 4917778. e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Objectives: To design a program evaluation to determine the effectiveness of a novel safety and health program in residential construction. Study design: The overall program evaluation incorporates five separate studies with designs including: pre-test-post-test control group designs for determining program effects on safety culture and safe work behaviors, and cohort designs to assess longitudinal changes in injury rates and workers compensation costs. Results: Preliminary data from 252 respondents who completed a two-page questionnaire after attending an initial training session indicated that the innovative HomeSafe Program has been well received. Companies who have joined the program to date are not representative of the broader population of businesses in the residential construction industry, as they generally are larger with heightened concerns for health and safety. Conclusions: Evaluating a safety and health program being introduced into the dynamic residential construction industry presents numerous challenges which are discussed.

Keywords: Injury prevention, Construction safety, Intervention research, Program evaluation, Workers compensation cost reduction

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1998-11104

Journal: Work, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 21-33, 1998