The Effectiveness of Interventions for Preventing Injuries in the Construction Industry: A Systematic Review Review Article

The Effectiveness of Interventions for Preventing Injuries in the Construction Industry: A Systematic Review Review Article Pages 77-85 Marika M. Lehtola, Henk F. van der Molen, Jorma Lappalainen, Peter L.T. Hoonakker, Hongwei Hsiao, Roger A. Haslam, Andrew R. Hale, Jos H. Verbeek Close Close preview | Purchase PDF (205 K) | Related articles | Related reference work articles AbstractAbstract | Figures/TablesFigures/Tables | ReferencesReferences Background Occupational injury rates among construction workers are the highest among the major industries. A number of injury-prevention interventions have been proposed, yet the effectiveness of these is uncertain. Thus a systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of interventions for preventing occupational injuries among construction workers was conducted. Methods Seven databases were searched, from the earliest available dates through June 2006, for published findings of injury prevention in construction studies. Acceptable study designs included RCTs; controlled before–after studies; and interrupted time series (ITS). Effect sizes of similar interventions were pooled into a meta-analysis in January 2007. Results Of 7522 titles found, four ITS studies and one controlled ITS study met the inclusion criteria. The overall methodologic quality was low. No indications of publication bias were found. Findings from a safety-campaign study and a drug-free-workplace study indicated that both interventions significantly reduced the level and the trend of injuries. Three studies that evaluated legislation did not decrease the level (ES 0.69; 95% CI=−1.70, 3.09) and made the downward trend (ES 0.28; 95% CI=0.05, 0.51) of injuries less favorable. Conclusions Limited evidence was found for the effectiveness of a multifaceted safety campaign and a multifaceted drug program, but no evidence was found that legislation is effective to prevent nonfatal or fatal injuries in the construction industry. Article Outline Introduction Methods Searching Trials Eligibility of Studies Methodologic Quality Data Extraction Measuring Intervention Effect Data Synthesis Results Selection of Studies Meeting the Inclusion Criteria Description of Included Studies Methodologic Quality of Included Studies Intervention Effectiveness of Included Studies Effectiveness of Legislation on Fatal and Nonfatal Injuries Re-analysis of results of the original studies Meta-analysis of the re-analyzed studies Effectiveness of a Safety Campaign on Nonfatal Injuries Re-analysis of results of the original study Effectiveness of a Drug-Free-Workplace Program on Nonfatal Injuries Re-analysis of results of the original study Discussion Implementation Level and Strategy Secondary Effects and Ethical Considerations Other Studies Not Meeting the Selection Criteria Quantity and Quality of Evaluative Research Conclusion Implications for Practice Implications for Research Acknowledgements References