Abstract
In the decade leading up to 2023, Australian workplaces witnessed concerning trends, with over 1,850 individuals suffering traumatic injuries on the job, and more than 1,140,000 workers filing serious compensation claims, affecting roughly one in every twelve workers. In 2022 alone, 195 fatalities occurred among workers due to workplace-related injuries, maintaining a relatively stable frequency and rate of fatalities in recent years. However, analysing data from 2018 to 2022 shows an average annual fatality rate of 1.4 per 100,000 workers, with an average of 180 worker deaths annually. Despite this stability, there has been a notable increase in both fatalities and rates since the previous year, with a 13% rise from 2021 and an 8% increase in fatality rates. These statistics underscore the urgent need for innovative strategies in promoting safe work practices and providing effective training for both new and existing workers.
This study addressed the absence of a comprehensive health and safety model impacting safety training. It aimed to build a nuanced understanding of factors contributing to safe work practices in high-risk work occupations. Specifically, the research questions explored characteristics leading to workplace fatalities, factors influencing health and safety training in Vocational Education and Training in Australia, and the design of training for high-risk occupations. The study also sought to understand how identified enablers and constraints could inform practices and if findings could be represented in a practice architectures framework.
The research commenced with a review of Coroners’ reports to gain an understanding of the factors that lead to workplace fatality. Document analysis was utilised to identify key themes and these findings informed the subsequent phase of the study which employed a phenomenological approach, exploring participants' detailed experiences through interviews. Data analysis involved identifying themes and patterns, contributing to a composite description of the phenomena studied which were subsequently analysed. Hermeneutic phenomenology illustrated the human experience within societal contexts and the theory of practice architectures was used to understand complex social practices in high-risk work occupations and training settings, emphasising the role of the practice architectures brought to or present in the site of practice.
Findings emphasised the critical need for effective training in high-risk work occupations and revealed factors that are overlooked both in work practice and training associated with high-risk work occupations. Factors undermining training effectiveness included overconfidence, content gaps, and organisational issues. The study also highlighted the role of communication, technology, and situational awareness in reducing risk. Group dynamics, time constraints, and peer pressure were also found to influence safety behaviours. The various factors associated with safe work practice and safety training effectiveness were identified as enablers and constraints that can be adjusted to achieve an improved safety outcome.
The study applied a sociomaterial ontology, recognizing the social nature of safety and the complex interrelationships and interdependencies that exist in both safe work practices and safety related training. The research culminated in a working safely in high-risk occupations model , identified as the Situation-Arrangement- Forecast-Enactment-Reflection (SAFER) model, and a high-risk occupation training pedagogical foundation, identified as the Curriculum-Logistics- Assessment-Structure-Safety (CLASS) model. These models integrated data-driven insights, communication guidelines, and system tools to facilitate informed decision-making for safe and effective practice. They recommended comprehensive training content, task analysis, and approaches to work.
The results provide insights into effective safety training, emphasising tailored programs and understanding social contexts. Workplace safety models and training pedagogical foundations offer structured approaches to cultivate safety competence in high-risk environments. The research contributes to improving safety practices, mitigating injury and fatality risks in high-risk occupations.
This study addressed the absence of a comprehensive health and safety model impacting safety training. It aimed to build a nuanced understanding of factors contributing to safe work practices in high-risk work occupations. Specifically, the research questions explored characteristics leading to workplace fatalities, factors influencing health and safety training in Vocational Education and Training in Australia, and the design of training for high-risk occupations. The study also sought to understand how identified enablers and constraints could inform practices and if findings could be represented in a practice architectures framework.
The research commenced with a review of Coroners’ reports to gain an understanding of the factors that lead to workplace fatality. Document analysis was utilised to identify key themes and these findings informed the subsequent phase of the study which employed a phenomenological approach, exploring participants' detailed experiences through interviews. Data analysis involved identifying themes and patterns, contributing to a composite description of the phenomena studied which were subsequently analysed. Hermeneutic phenomenology illustrated the human experience within societal contexts and the theory of practice architectures was used to understand complex social practices in high-risk work occupations and training settings, emphasising the role of the practice architectures brought to or present in the site of practice.
Findings emphasised the critical need for effective training in high-risk work occupations and revealed factors that are overlooked both in work practice and training associated with high-risk work occupations. Factors undermining training effectiveness included overconfidence, content gaps, and organisational issues. The study also highlighted the role of communication, technology, and situational awareness in reducing risk. Group dynamics, time constraints, and peer pressure were also found to influence safety behaviours. The various factors associated with safe work practice and safety training effectiveness were identified as enablers and constraints that can be adjusted to achieve an improved safety outcome.
The study applied a sociomaterial ontology, recognizing the social nature of safety and the complex interrelationships and interdependencies that exist in both safe work practices and safety related training. The research culminated in a working safely in high-risk occupations model , identified as the Situation-Arrangement- Forecast-Enactment-Reflection (SAFER) model, and a high-risk occupation training pedagogical foundation, identified as the Curriculum-Logistics- Assessment-Structure-Safety (CLASS) model. These models integrated data-driven insights, communication guidelines, and system tools to facilitate informed decision-making for safe and effective practice. They recommended comprehensive training content, task analysis, and approaches to work.
The results provide insights into effective safety training, emphasising tailored programs and understanding social contexts. Workplace safety models and training pedagogical foundations offer structured approaches to cultivate safety competence in high-risk environments. The research contributes to improving safety practices, mitigating injury and fatality risks in high-risk occupations.
| Original language | English |
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| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
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| Place of Publication | Australia |
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| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
