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CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING AN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM

WURZELBACHER, STEVEN JOSEPH
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1139333722

Abstract Details

2006, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Medicine : Environmental Health.
Introduction: Many employers and regulators today rely primarily on a few past injury/ illness metrics as criteria for rating the effectiveness of occupational safety and health (OSH) programs. Although such objective ratings are necessary to assess program success, they are not sufficient for developing proactive safety and ergonomic plans. Methods: The goals of this research were to create objective (past loss data) and subjective (company self-assessment ratings of exposure and control) benchmarks that could be readily used by companies to monitor the effectiveness of their OSH programs. The main hypothesis was that these new benchmarks would be predictive of three standard future loss outcomes. Subjective Benchmarks: Surveys were sent to 197 companies in early 2003 and 33 completed questionnaires were used for final analysis. Individual question responses were regrouped into 12 index scores to capture assessments of company exposure and control. Objective Benchmarks: Workers compensation data sets from 1/1/99 to 12/31/03 were downloaded 10/4/04 for the 33 companies and a series of 10 past loss metrics were developed. Results: The following variables were found to be significant predictors as hypothesized in stepwise multiple regression models: WC Case Rate 2003 outcome: Subjective: Hazard Prevention and Control, Safety (p = 0.01), Hazard Prevention and Control, General (p < 0.001). Objective: Musculoskeletal Indemnity Case Rate, 1999-2001 (p < 0.01). Indemnity Case Rate 2003 outcome: Subjective: Hazard Identification and Assessment (p = 0.01), and All Prevention Program Elements (p = 0.01). Objective: Musculoskeletal Indemnity Case Rate, 1999-2001 (p < 0.01) and Reporting Delay Average Days, 1999-2001 (p = 0.01). State Weighted WC Cost per 1 FTE per Year (2003) LN Transformed outcome: Subjective: None. Objective: None. Summary and Conclusions: The similar strengths of Subjective and Objective variables in predicting future losses indicate that both the regular tracking of past loss outcomes and the subjective auditing of loss prevention and reduction efforts within a company are useful processes. Both types of benchmarks are required to fully develop data-driven, safety and ergonomic plans that are reactive to past exposures and proactive in identifying system deficiencies that drive future losses.
Dr. Amit Bhattacharya (Advisor)
355 p.
occupational safety and health programs; questionnaire; survey; ergonomics; criteria; benchmarks; subjective; loss data

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • WURZELBACHER, S. J. (2006). CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING AN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1139333722

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • WURZELBACHER, STEVEN. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING AN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM. 2006. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1139333722.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • WURZELBACHER, STEVEN. "CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING AN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1139333722

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.