Safety training parks:cooperative initiatives to improve future workforce safety skills and knowledge

• Main Authors: Reiman, A. (Arto), Airaksinen, O. (Olli), Fischer, K. (Klaus)
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Nature 2019
• Subjects: Construction; Safety training; Social sustainability; Northern Finland
• Online Access: http://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi-fe2019112143471

Abstract Construction is one of the most unsafe industries worldwide. Safety training is one essential element to improve occupational safety skills and performance. A wide variety of different safety training methods has been introduced, and a need for more engaging training methods has been recognized. Finnish construction industry has introduced a new Safety Training Park (STP) concept to meet that challenge. Three STPs have been constructed in Finland. STPs are concrete learning environments, in which real life work situations are demonstrated at training points. This study focuses on STP in northern Finland (STPNF). STPNF is a macroergonomics construct designed, financed and constructed by a large consortium of 80 different stakeholder organizations. In addition to construction companies, stakeholders such as schools and universities, municipalities and service providers are included in the consortium. This descriptive study aims to provide an overview of the STPNF concept and describe the most typical STPNF utilization approaches. Further, stakeholder collaboration is discussed and a discussion is initiated on the potential and prerequisites for the transferability of the STP methodology to other contexts.