title: Experimental analysis of using examples and non-examples in safety training.
abstract: The effects of training content consisting of examples and/or non-examples was studied on the acquisition of safety-related skills.
  
  
  
  Participants (N=160) were randomly assigned to first receive computer-based training on office ergonomics that included either no examples of safe or at-risk postures, safe examples only, at-risk examples only, or both safe and at-risk examples. Participants then attempted to classify as safe or at-risk various postures depicted in short video clips and demonstrate with their own posture the range of safe postures.
  
  
  
  Groups that were trained with both safe and at-risk examples showed greater classification accuracy and less error in their demonstration of safe postures. Training with only safe or at-risk examples resulted in a moderate amount of error and a consistent underestimation of risk.
  
  
  
  Training content consisting of both examples and non-examples improved acquisition of safety-related skills.
  
  
  
  The strategic selection of training content may improve identification of risks and safe work practices.
authors.affiliation: Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, USA; Department of Psychology, Queens College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, USA. Electronic address: taylormatthewa@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, USA.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wirth
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Queens College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, USA.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olvina
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Queens College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, USA.
authors.forename: Alicia M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Alvero
mesh_terms: D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D007866:Leg; D011187:Posture; D011897:Random Allocation; D012449:Safety / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Education; Ergonomics; Error; Observation; Performance