Application of Q-methodology in studying construction stakeholders' perceptions of OSH risks - An introduction to the preliminary stage

There is increasing recognition that many construction occupational health and safety (OSH) hazards arise as a result of activities in the planning and design stage. Improvement of construction OSH performance can be influenced by various stakeholder groups, not just the appointed construction contractor. It is important for stakeholder groups to take each other's perspective when considering OSH risks. However, different stakeholder groups may have different perceptions of OSH risk, leading to difficulty in establishing a common strategy to eliminate hazards and/or and reduce risk. This study aims to map the similarity/difference between stakeholder groups' OSH risk perceptions. An innovative Q-methodology is adopted for data collection. Q-methodology involves a number of procedures by which respondents sort a set of sample objects (known as a Q-set) into certain order, according to their subjective judgements. Photographs will be used as stimuli for the Q-sort in this study. This paper introduces the rationale of Q-methodology, and describes the process of developing and validating the Q-sort instrument for this construction application

Exploring the link between early constructor involvement in project decision-making and the efficacy of health and safety risk control

The position of the constructor in communication networks, including those before the commencement of construction, is likely related to the quality of work health and safety (WHS) outcomes realized. In order to examine the extent of this relationship, 23 cases were drawn from 10 participating construction projects in Australia and New Zealand. Social network analysis was used to mathematically and graphically model information exchanges in 13 of these cases. For each case, the quality of WHS risk control outcomes was measured. This measurement was based on an established 'hierarchy of control' in which risk controls are classified in descending order of effectiveness from the elimination of a hazard (the most effective) to the reliance on personal protective equipment (the least effective). Social network metrics were calculated reflecting: (1) the ratio of actual links among parties in the project network relative to the maximum number of links possible (network density); and (2) the extent to which the constructor communicated with other parties in pre-project planning and design stages (the constructors' degree centrality). Network metrics were compared for cases in which the risk control scores were higher and lower than average. The results showed a significant difference in constructors' pre-construction degree centrality for cases with high and low risk control scores. The results provide preliminary evidence as to the potential WHS benefits of ensuring that constructors' knowledge about construction methods, materials, WHS risks and means of risk control, are integrated into pre-construction decision-makin

Are we on the same page? Exploring construction professionals' mental models of occupational health and safety

Photographic Q-methodology was used to explore construction professionals' mental models of occupational health and safety (OHS). Sixty Australian construction professionals participated in the research, including 15 architects, 15 engineers, 15 constructors and 15 OHS professionals. Participants were asked to sort photographs depicting different building systems into a grid based upon their judgement of the likelihood of accidental injury resulting from the construction of each of the building systems depicted. Responses ranged from Rare (-2) to Almost certain (+2). Sorting patterns relating to eight photographs of different façade systems were analysed using Q factor analysis. Three distinct sorting pattern types were identified in the data, representing clusters of participants whose sorting patterns were similar. These sorting pattern types cut across occupational/professional groups. Interpretation of the factors revealed substantial differences between the OHS judgements made by participants in the three clusters. Qualitative explanatory information revealed participants in the three clusters used different attributes when considering the likelihood of accidental injury. These attributes shaped their sorting patterns. The results suggest shared mental models (SMMs) are unlikely to exist in construction project teams, as each individual uses their own frame of reference to understand OHS. Opportunities exist to understand these different frames of reference and create more consistent team mental models of OHS. However, incorporating a diversity of viewpoints into project decision-making is recommended in order to produce effective decision-making in the choice or specification of building systems

The relationship between pre-construction decision-making and the quality of risk control: Testing the time-safety influence curve

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the timing with which decisions are made about how to control work health and safety (WHS) risks in construction project (i.e. either pre- or post-construction) and the quality of risk control outcomes. Design/methodology/approach - Data were collected from 23 construction projects in Australia and the USA. Totally, 43 features of work were identified for analysis and decision making in relation to these features of work was mapped across the life of the projects. The quality of risk control outcomes was assessed using a classification system based on the "hierarchy of control". Within this hierarchy, technological forms of control are preferable to behavioural forms of controls. Findings - The results indicate that risk control outcomes were significantly better in the Australian compared with the US cases. The results also reveal a significant relationship between the quality of risk controls and the timing of risk control selection decisions. The greater the proportion of risk controls selected during the pre-construction stages of a project, the better the risk control outcomes. Research limitations/implications - The results provide preliminary evidence that technological risk controls are more likely to be implemented if WHS risks are considered and controls are selected in the planning and design stages of construction projects. Practical implications - The research highlights the need for WHS risk to be integrated into decision making early in the life of construction projects. Originality/value - Previous research has linked accidents to design. However, the retrospective nature of these studies has not permitted an analysis of the effectiveness of integrating WHS into pre-construction decision making. Prospective studies have been lacking. This research provides empirical evidence in support of the relationship between early consideration of WHS and risk control effectiveness

Access to and experience of education for children and adolescents with cancer: a scoping review protocol

BACKGROUND: Cancer diagnosis in childhood or adolescence impacts significantly on school attendance, experience and educational outcomes. While there is longstanding recognition in clinical practice that these effects span the whole illness trajectory and continue beyond treatment completion, further clarity is required on the specific barriers and facilitators to education during cancer treatment and beyond, as well as on the experiences of children and adolescents across the full range of education settings (hospital, home, virtual, original school of enrolment), in order to determine which interventions are successful in improving access and experience from their perspective. The aim of this review is to identify what is known from the existing literature about access to and experience of education for children and adolescents with cancer during and post treatment. METHODS: We have planned a scoping literature review searching the following databases from inception onwards: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase and Embase Classic, Web of Science Core Collection, Education Resources Index, Sociological Abstracts, APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus, Emcare and The Cochrane Library. In addition, DARE, conference abstracts, key journals, and institutional websites will be searched. Arksey and O'Malley's six-step process will be followed, including a consultation exercise. Studies, reports and policies from any country providing care and treatment for children and adolescents with cancer published in English will be considered eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles and abstract data. A narrative summary of findings will be conducted. Data analysis will involve quantitative (e.g., frequencies) and qualitative (e.g., content and thematic analysis) methods. DISCUSSION: This is a timely examination given the increased incidence of childhood cancer, more intensive treatment regimens and improved survival rates for childhood cancer. The inclusion of a substantive consultation exercise with families and professionals will provide an important opportunity to examine the scoping review outputs. Findings will assist the childhood cancer community in developing a comprehensive evidence-based understanding of a significant associated bio-psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment and will form the first step towards developing effective interventions and policies to mitigate identified detrimental effects. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework (osf/io/yc4wt)

Exponents of 2-multiarrangements and multiplicity lattices

We introduce a concept of multiplicity lattices of 2-multiarrangements, determine the combinatorics and geometry of that lattice, and give a criterion and method to construct a basis for derivation modules effectively.Comment: 14 page

Do MOOCs encourage corporate social responsibility or are they simply a marketing opportunity?

This paper explores institutional drivers for developing MOOCs by juxtaposing them against the original drivers for generating MOOCs: to offer open access education. However, the original impetus for MOOC development may be shifting towards a business oriented model. Therefore, instead of contributing to corporate social responsibility and inclusivity agendas facilitating open access to education, MOOCs are akin to an institution's shop window allowing the pseudo 'purchaser' the opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes. Hence, we ask: are MOOCs merely a sophisticated form of window dressing, showing pseudo 'purchasers' what institutions want them to see enticing them to purchase more lucrative products? Notwithstanding the motivation for developing MOOCs participants must first access them. Therefore the paper examines what MOOCs actually offer participants who are likely to access them and concludes by examining how MOOCs can be developed to facilitate better completion rates and encourage wider participation from hard to access groups

Educational recommendations for the conduct, content and format of EULAR musculoskeletal ultrasound Teaching the Teachers Courses

To produce educational guidelines for the conduct, content and format of theoretical and practical teaching at EULAR musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) Teaching the Teachers (TTT) Courses