Evaluating Risk Communication Using Impact Models. Dr. Simon Gerrard, Deputy Director, Horst Rakel, Graham Piggott, and Gordon Crick, Centre for Environmental Risk, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK, telephone +44 1603 592 838, fax +44 1603 507 719, e-mail S.Gerrard@uea.ac.uk
Since its inception the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been actively pursuing means of monitoring its performance. However, too frequently evaluation has been performed in an ad hoc manner with insufficient regard for appropriate sampling or data collection. More systematic evaluation requires the use of more rigorous scientific-based studies that adopt more systematic approaches based on impact models. An impact model usually takes the form of a statement of the expected relationship(s) between a programme and its goal. The development of a well-defined impact model is essential for programme design and subsequent evaluation.
By 1990 HSE staff were making considerable use of mailshots and seminars to reach more firms than was possible through inspection alone. Unfortunately, data on measures of the quality of change were fragmentary or non-existent. This is particularly the case in the small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) environment that by its very nature presents any regulator with a difficult, time consuming and resource intensive task. The shift in emphasis from activity measured by 'time spent' to health and safety performance measured as levels of compliance (and monitored in terms of accident rates), represents a move towards to combination of the quantity and quality of change. In order to address this issue the HSE's Strategy and Information Unit (SIU) has conducted a study evaluating the effectiveness of their contact techniques.
The Special Projects National (SPN) programme encompassed the evaluation of contact techniques covering 43 mailshots, 22 seminars and a small sample of inspection visits to small and medium enterprises in different regions in England, Scotland and Wales. Inspectors visited about 1000 firms during the course of the project and conducted about 6,500 assessments covering 20 topics.
This paper presents the results of the study. The findings support ongoing reviews of the current evaluation practice that must encompass a more impact-led approach. This might include the use of specific quality targets and consider more carefully the use of modern communications technology as a means to further improve health and safety, particularly in SMEs.
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