Researchers at Tulane University and the University of Maryland have developed a model that helps organizations make their work places safer by focusing on a limited number of specific safety behaviors and practices.  Each of these factors and their corresponding work practices can be used for safety training as well as for performance feedback.  The four factors and related behaviors are listed below.

Factor One – Using personal protective equipment.

• Uses the appropriate personal protective equipment as indicated by the site health and safety plan
• Correctly inspects and tests all personal protective equipment
• Dons all personal protective equipment correctly
• Doffs all personal protective equipment correctly
• Correctly stores all personal protective equipment
• Properly performs work while wearing personal protective equipment

Factor Two – Engaging in work practices to reduce risk.

• Makes appropriate decisions about use of monitoring equipment and interpretation of instrument reading
• Correctly uses applicable hazard controls and equipment
• Takes general precautions and meets permit requirements for confined space work
• Properly uses lockout/tagout procedures
• Takes appropriate action to prevent recurrence of near misses

Factor Three – Communicating health and safety information.

• When necessary communicates potential exposure(s) to key personnel responsible for site health and safety
• Appropriately reports incidents, accidents and/or illnesses
• Engages in the appropriate methods to notify workers, supervisors, and/or emergency coordinators of emergency conditions

Factor Four – Exercising employee rights and responsibilities.

• Appropriately uses MSDS and other reference material that may provide additional health and safety information
• When necessary exerts the employees rights and responsibility to access and provide input into altering the site safety plan
• Takes the appropriate steps if prevented from or punished for exercising one’s rights under OSHA policies and procedures

M Peter Scontrino

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