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| OBM Paper Series: Research in Behavioral Safety |
| Sunday, May 27, 2007 |
| 1:30 PM–2:50 PM |
| Emma AB |
| Area: OBM |
| Chair: Sigurdur Oli Sigurdsson (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) |
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| The Safety Observer Effect across Various Work Conditions. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| ADRIENNE R. ROBEK (Queens College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York), Alicia M. Alvero (Queens College, City University of New York) |
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| Abstract: The purpose of the present study is to expand on the existing safety observer effect literature (Alvero & Austin, 2004; Sasson & Austin, 2005). Two experiments will be conducted and data will be recorded with a hidden video camera. Four undergraduate students will serve as participants in each experiment (n = 8). Experiment 1 will examine the effects of conducting safety observations on the safety performance of the observer and the effects of the participant’s awareness of observations by the experimenter. Participants will conduct safety observations on a confederate’s performance to assess the effects of conducting observations on the safety performance of the participant observer. Throughout the experiment the experimenter will conduct direct observations of the participant to assess the effects of direct observations on the safety behavior of the participant.
Experiment 2 will examine (a) the effects of conducting safety observations on the safety performance of the observer when working alongside a peer, (b) the effects of both direct and indirect observations on safety performance, and (c) the effects of reinforcement on safety performance. ABC within-subject designs will be employed in both experiments. Phase C will be staggered across groups of behaviors. |
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| A Comparison of Momentary Time Sampling Procedures Across Various Interval Lengths on Ergonomic Safety Performance. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| ALICIA M. ALVERO (Queens College, City University of New York), Eva Rappaport (Queens College, City University of New York) |
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| Abstract: This study compares the accuracy of momentary time sampling when observing and recording ergonomic safety behaviors performed while working on a simulated assembly line task. A comparison was completed by observing the participants on a 1-second continuous interval, which represents “true” safety performance. The data were then analyzed using momentary time sampling in 90, 120, 165, 195, 210, 240 & 300 second intervals to examine the effects of interval length on the accuracy of observations. |
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| Behavioral Mechanisms of Safe Posture. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| SIGURDUR OLI SIGURDSSON (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) |
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| Abstract: Recent research in the area of occupational safety for the lone worker at computer workstations has demonstrated that postural variables can be amenable to improvement through OBM techniques. This talk will briefly cover the various behavioral mechanisms proposed in the research literature as being responsible for behavioral change, and then focus on a behavioral account that emphasizes that role of discrimination, feedback and motivative operations. Kinesthetic stimuli associated with safe posture need to be accurately discriminated from stimuli associated with at-risk posture by workers. Feedback on the accuracy of posture discriminations may be needed in order for workers to reliably assess how appropriate their posture is at any given time. When workers can accurately discriminate between the kinesthetic stimuli associated with safe and at-risk posture, the potential of stimuli associated with good posture to function as reinforcers needs to be considered. Motivating operations that may increase the reinforcing effectiveness of certain kinestethic stimuli will also be discussed. |
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| Increasing Safety while Using Agriculture Equipment. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| LAURA L. PORTERA (Southern Illinois University), Mark R. Dixon (Southern Illinois University) |
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| Abstract: The present study examined the impact of behavioral skills training on operation safety of agricultural equipment. Unskilled tractor operators were observed engaging in basic tractor operation following viewing of a manufacture operation video which accompanied the purchase of a midsize compact utility tractor. Following observation of numerous unsafe observations, each operator underwent a sequence of behavioral skills training to improve safe tractor operation. Significant changes in behavior were observed, suggesting that behavioral safety has promising utility in the under-researched field of agriculture. With farm accidents a leading cause of death in the United States, the present investigation has considerable implications for the future of behavioral safety. |
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