Technical Papers
Feb 24, 2016

Effective Intervention Strategy to Improve Worker Readiness to Adopt Ventilated Tools

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 142, Issue 8

Abstract

An effective theory-based intervention strategy is developed to improve worker adoption of a ventilated dust-control tool that reduces dust exposure by 95%. The Prevention through Design Adoption Readiness Model (PtD ARM) was employed to develop educational materials, hands-on training, and worksite cues-to-action. Educational materials were targeted to improve worker knowledge of the health risks associated with construction dusts. Hands-on training was developed with the objective of improving worker self-efficacy regarding the new equipment. Additionally cues-to-action were given to the workers. These cues were hard-hat stickers and t-shirts with reminder slogans. In a pretest/posttest experimental design with control group (n=40), questionnaire data were analyzed using independent t-tests of the gain-scores, and significant changes (p<0.05) were seen in worker self-efficacy, trust-in-technology, and overall readiness to adopt the tool. Theory-based intervention strategies were found to be effective in improving worker willingness to use ventilated tools. The most impactful intervention methods include training regarding risks to worker health, hands-on training with ventilated tools, and cues-to-action reminders to use the tools.

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Acknowledgments

This publication was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number 5U60OH009761 from CDC-NIOSH. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIOSH.

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Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 142Issue 8August 2016

History

Received: Feb 4, 2015
Accepted: Nov 11, 2015
Published online: Feb 24, 2016
Discussion open until: Jul 24, 2016
Published in print: Aug 1, 2016

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Authors

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Justin Weidman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Construction Management, Brigham Young Univ., Provo, UT 84602.
Deborah E. Dickerson, Ph.D., A.M.ASCE [email protected]
Associate Professor, Myers-Lawson School of Construction, Via Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, 310B Bishop Favrao Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
Charles T. Koebel, Ph.D.
Professor, Urban Affairs and Planning, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

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