I bring evidence-based practice to the forefront of environmental health, occupational safety, and business risk mitigation.
Through research, we learn what works, what doesn’t work, and where we need to look for more answers.
See my recent and ongoing research featured below.
Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology for Occupational Safety and Health
How is emerging technology changing the landscape of occupational safety and health?
This research spans market insights, literature reviews, and end user research to develop insights on emerging technology, including artificial intelligence, and how end users say it is affecting safety and business outcomes. Key insights so far:
60% of organizations are already using some type of technology for occupational safety and health, including
EHS management software
Learning management systems
Internet of Things
Artificial intelligence
Immersive training technology
1 in 4 organizations will be using AI for safety by the end of 2025
Almost 60% of respondents say technology has had little to no effect or has only somewhat improved injury and fatality outcomes. However, the majority reported moderate to great improvements to productivity and efficiency due to technology implementation.
Future research will include continuous monitoring of the market, effects of existing and prospective technology applications, and worker culture around using emerging technologies.
Measuring and Managing Professional Credibility
Can we quantitatively measure and manage professional credibility in OSH and beyond?
Professional credibility consists of both the individual’s outward portrayal of key professional elements, including character, competence, capability, and trustworthiness, as well as the external perception of those elements related to the individual. Despite the actual ability of professionals to carry out the demands of their work, the external perception of that ability acts as a crucial facilitator to performance. While credibility is often discussed as an important factor for occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals to do their jobs, there is little to no literature that has explored methods for measuring the credibility of OSH professionals.
The Conceptual Model of OSH Credibility was loosely developed from the frameworks of modern consumer credit scoring models, such as FICO and VantageScore - the only currently known methods of quantitatively measuring a type of credibility. This is a starting point for ongoing research. Next steps include:
Qualitative study - align real experiences to the model for refinement
Currently in data collection - estimated completion November 1, 2024
Results to be made available early 2025
Develop a quantitative instrument based on the domains identified through the refined model.
Pilot study - test for validity and reliability
Modify model based on pilot results
The intention of the final model and instrument will be for individuals to understand the current state of their professional credibility and manage controls for improvement.
Other research
Benchmarking the EH&S Function: Structure, Staffing, and Responsibilities Across Industries
Environmental health and safety (EH&S) executives representing several of the most forward-thinking organizations recognized through qualitative information that a lack of standardization persists among EH&S structures across industries. While some benchmarking data on EH&S structure, staffing, and responsibilities has occurred in the past, it has never been collected by organizations whose primary focus is workplace safety nor has it been made readily available to EH&S executives in more than five years. A cross sectional survey was conducted among EH&S managers and above through random sampling of members of the American Society of Safety Professionals. Quantitative descriptive statistics revealed the frequencies of departmental responsibilities among EH&S departments along with information on the centralization of policies and budgets, the highest EH&S titles within organizations, reporting structures, alignment with other organizational functions, and factors that affect EH&S headcount. Multiple linear regression models revealed that organization size, in terms of both number of employees and annual revenue, have a statistically significant effect on both centralization of policies and budgets and the highest EH&S titles. This study provides foundational information on which to determine best practices and standardization of EH&S structures in future operations.
Occupational Risk Perceptions Among Foreign-Born Construction Workers in Central Florida
Hispanic and Latino foreign-born construction workers in the United States experience higher rates of serious injuries and fatalities in the workplace than their native-born peers. Previous research has pointed to specific vulnerabilities among this population, including birthplace, age of the worker, language barriers, and education level, but little to no research has examined addressable risk factors, such as occupational risk perceptions, among this population. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the relationship between birthplace, number of years working in the United States, and occupational risk perceptions while controlling for age of the worker, language barriers, and education level. A modified conceptual model that links specific demographic factors to occupational risk perceptions served as the framework for the study. A convenience sample of construction workers in central Florida provided demographic information and self-reported risk perceptions in this cross-sectional study. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine potential relationships between birthplace and risk perceptions as well as number of years working in the United States and risk perceptions. The results of these analyses indicated a statistically significant difference in risk perceptions between foreign-born and native-born construction workers, but time spent working in the United States did not affect these risk perceptions. The implications for positive social change include the identification of risk factors that are addressable through improved training and better communication. Addressing these factors may help reduce injuries and fatalities among Hispanic and Latino foreign-born construction workers in central Florida.
ISO 45001 State of the Union: Adoption and Business Motivations
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) implemented ISO 45001 in March 2018 as a global standard for occupational safety and health (OSH) management systems. The standard defines processes for identifying hazards, assessing risk, implementing controls, and assignments of responsibility and accountability to competent persons closest to work processes. A cross sectional survey was issued to a random sample of members of the American Society of Safety Professionals to determine the rate at which organizations within the United States had pursued ISO 45001 certification and their primary reasons for adoption of the standard. Comparisons were drawn between construction and general industry, indicating consistent adoption rates and reasons for adoption across industries, though more respondents within general industry than construction reported their organizations were considering adoption in the future. While the findings indicate a relatively low adoption rate of ISO 45001 among respondents, most respondents indicated adoption had been due to customer, owner, or supply chain requirements rather than creating safer work environments. The results of this study can provide useful comparative information to organizations considering the adoption of ISO 45001 as well as other standardized safety management systems in the United States.