The Effects of Training, Feedback, and Participant Involvement in Behavioral Safety Observations on Office Ergonomic Behavior

Abstract

Eleven computer terminal operators participated in an experiment that assessed effects of several interventions aimed at increasing safe ergonomic performance. All participants received ergonomics training and performance feedback while six of them collected observations of safe behavior among the remaining five participants. Effects of information, feedback, and conducting safe behavior performance observations was assessed using a single participant multiple baseline experimental design. Conducting observations of safety-related behavior is a critical component of the behavioral safety process, and while many researchers have examined the effects of information and feedback on safety performance, few have studied the effects of conducting observations on the behavior of the observer. Performance levels increased relative to baseline levels across all participants and remained above baseline levels when assessed during a four-month follow-up evaluation. Participants that conducted safety observations of other participants performed more safely than participants that did not participate in the observation process. Also assessed was the effect of observers' accuracy on observers' safety performance. The possible behavioral mechanisms responsible for performance increases and the implications of research results reported are discussed in detail. Suggestions for future research in this area are presented and the rationale for each is briefly discussed.

Key Words:

• Behavioral Safety
• ergonomics
• organizational behavior management
• observation accuracy
• observers