Citation

Bahn S, Barratt-Pugh L. J. Health Saf. Res. Pract. 2011; 3(1): 24-32.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Safety Institute of Australia, Publisher LexisNexis Media)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of a 2010 study on the effectiveness of the Construction Induction Training in Western Australia (previously known as the "Blue Card"). The findings indicate that the commercial construction sector values the development of the Construction Induction Training, are supportive of the mandatory nature of the training and believe that the training has not only increased their personal safety awareness but has contributed to a positive improvement in the safety culture on construction worksites. There was strong support for a refresher Construction Induction Training course on a regular basis to inform workers of legislation changes and to present changing construction processes. This is evidence of a positive shift in safety culture that was not apparent in 2007 when Bahn (2009) identified considerable resistance to the introduction of mandatory 'Blue Card' training from the industry. At that time participants were strongly opposed to the safety awareness training. They were unsupportive of the compulsory nature of the training and considered the Blue Card would simply become an additional legislative hurdle financially burdening the industry; producing little measurable gain. In addition the idea of a refresher course was considered unnecessary. Data collected for the study includes a survey distributed to 669 members of the Master Builders Association of which only 25 responses were returned, and thirty semi-structured interviews with clusters of supervisors, OH&S Managers, and employees at five commercial construction sites, and key industry stakeholders. This paper specifically focuses upon the issues encountered in collecting statistical data from this cohort.

Language: en