On-road and simulated driving: concurrent and discriminant validation

Introduction

A converging pair of studies investigated the validity of a simulator for measuring driving performance/skill.

Study 1

A concurrent validity study compared novice driver performance during an on-road driving test with their performance on a comparable simulated driving test.

Results

Results showed a reasonable degree of concordance in terms of the distribution of driving errors on-road and errors on the simulator. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the two when driver performance was rank ordered according to errors, further establishing the relative validity of the simulator. However, specific driving errors on the two tasks were not closely related suggesting that absolute validity could not be established and that overall performance is needed to establish the level of skill.

Study 2

A discriminant validity study compared driving performance on the simulator across three groups of drivers who differ in their level of experience - a group of true beginners who had no driving experience, a group of novice drivers who had completed driver education and had a learner's permit, and a group of fully licensed, experienced drivers.

Results

The findings showed significant differences among the groups in the expected direction -- the various measures of driving errors showed that beginners performed worse than novice drivers and that experienced drivers had the fewest errors. Collectively, the results of the concurrent and discriminant validity studies support the use of the simulator as a valid measure of driving performance for research purposes.

Impact on industry

These findings support the use of a driving simulator as a valid measure of driving performance for research purposes. Future research should continue to examine validity between on-road driving performance and performance on a driving simulator and the use of simulated driving tests in the evaluation of driver education/training programs.     

Identification, analysis and dissemination of information on near misses: A case study in the construction industry

Near misses are well-known for providing a major source of useful information for safety management. They are more frequent events than accidents and their causes may potentially result in an accident under slightly different circumstances. Despite the importance of this type of feedback, there is little knowledge on the characteristics of near misses, and on the use of this information in safety management. This article proposes guidelines for identifying, analyzing and disseminating information on near misses in construction sites. In particular, it is proposed that near misses be analyzed based on four categories: (a) whether or not it was possible to track down the event; (b) the nature of each event, in terms of its physical features (e.g. falling objects); (c) whether they provided positive or negative feedback for the safety management system; and (d) risk, based on the probability and severity associated with each event. The guidelines were devised and tested while a safety management system was being developed in a healthcare building project. The monitoring of near misses was part of a safety performance measurement system. Among the main results, a dramatic increase in both the number and quality of reports stands out after the workforce was systematically encouraged to report. While in the first 4 months of the study – when the workforce was not encouraged to report – there were just 12 reports, during the subsequent 4 months – when the workforce was so encouraged – there were 110 reports, all of them being analyzed based on the four analytical categories proposed.     

性能化设计标准在火灾安全设计中的应用

随着建筑向着高层化、大型化的趋势发展,目前世界上许多国家的建筑设计正逐步地从处方式规范转换到性能化规范.性能化规范的成功实施需要建立性能化设计标准.在建筑火灾安全设计中,使用的性能化设计标准包括确定性设计标准和偶然性设计标准.确定性设计标准主要与火灾的发生、发展和蔓延等级,以及生命安全等级有关.偶然性设计标准主要关心火灾发生的可能性及产生的后果.文章最后对性能化设计标准的应用情况进行了讨论和总结.     

CSHM: Web-based safety and health monitoring system for construction management

INTRODUCTION: This paper describes a web-based system for monitoring and assessing construction safety and health performance, entitled the Construction Safety and Health Monitoring (CSHM) system. METHOD: The design and development of CSHM is an integration of internet and database systems, with the intent to create a total automated safety and health management tool. A list of safety and health performance parameters was devised for the management of safety and health in construction. A conceptual framework of the four key components of CSHM is presented: (a) Web-based Interface (templates); (b) Knowledge Base; (c) Output Data; and (d) Benchmark Group. RESULTS: The combined effect of these components results in a system that enables speedy performance assessment of safety and health activities on construction sites. With the CSHM's built-in functions, important management decisions can theoretically be made and corrective actions can be taken before potential hazards turn into fatal or injurious occupational accidents. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: As such, the CSHM system will accelerate the monitoring and assessing of performance safety and health management tasks.     

对安全人性化需求规律的研究

以人为本是现代安全管理的重要原则,在生产经营活动中,保障人的生命更安全、更健康,生活更幸福,既是安全管理的重要目的,也是人类生活的必然需求.但是,人民提高生命质量的安全需求是多方面的、复杂的.通过对人类生存、繁衍和发展的历史进行深入分析发现,人的安全需求与马斯洛的层次需求理论有相似之处,虽然内涵不同,但需求总是由低层次向高层次发展,当一种低层需求得到满足后,更高层次的需求就占据支配地位,成为人的行为激励因素.笔者从人性化的角度对安全需求层次类型、每一层次的特征、发展规律进行了探讨,其结果有助于安全管理有针对性、科学性、时效性地进行宏观决策和微观调控,也有助于更好地增加安全投入,从而提高安全生产水平.把握人性化需求规律,对保护人们在生产过程中的安全和健康,处理好人的生命价值与安全生产、经济效益、社会效益之间的关系,有重要的现实意义.     

实施OSHMS对企业职业安全健康管理状况影响分析

为了研究实施职业安全健康管理体系(OSHMS)对企业职业安全健康管理状况的影响,对百余家已实施与未实施OSHMS的企业进行了调研,在对调研结果分析研究的基础上,采用双对照分析的方法,对已通过OSHMS认证的企业在建立OSHMS前后的职业安全健康管理状况进行对照比较,以及已建立OSHMS与未建立OSHMS的企业的职业安全健康管理状况进行对照比较,研究结果表明,实施OSHMS有利于提高企业职业安全健康管理的整体水平,改善企业的职业安全健康管理状况,使职业安全健康管理更加科学化和规范化.