DES PLAINES, IL (April 15, 2002) -- An American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation (ASSEF) research grant of $10,000 was awarded by the ASSEF Trustees on April 5 to University of Kentucky Assistant Professor Paul M. Goodrum, P.E., Ph.D. for research into the "Effectiveness of Safety Incentive Programs in Construction."

Assistant Professor Goodrum states he will be looking at the effectiveness of safety incentive programs in the field of construction because, "a great deal of uncertainty exists regarding the effectiveness of safety incentive programs." He will be looking at identifying the best practices of current safety incentive programs by examining the economic return on investment in incentive programs with improvements in safety.

As part of the research project, safety directors from a sample of construction companies countrywide will be surveyed regarding their 2001 safety performance by indicating the number of recordable accidents, lost time accidents, days away from work, and near miss accidents experienced. The research will also include surveying construction workers on their evaluation of incentive effectiveness. Other factors of the firm's safety incentive program to be identified in the survey will include:

• personnel who are eligible for awards - managerial, supervisory, and/or first-line craft personnel;
• type of awards - cash or non-cash gifts and their financial value;
• award levels - are awards given on the basis of individual performance, crew performance, project performance, and/or division performance; and,
• measurement criteria for awards - what is the minimum number of accidents to qualify for the awards?

The final report on the outcome of the research will be due to the ASSE Foundation April 30, 2003.

An Assistant Professor in the University of Kentucky Department of Civil Engineering, Goodrum, P.E., Ph.D., received his Doctorate and Master of Science in engineering with a major in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Through its programs the ASSE Foundation is committed to ensuring the future of the occupational safety and health profession by providing financial resources to individuals and organizations. Each year the Foundation awards funds for applied safety research, scholarships, fellowships, internships and professional development. Funding for the Foundation comes from corporations and voluntary donations from ASSE members - individual and through chapters worldwide. More information and applications can be found at http://www.asse.org/foundat.htm.

Founded in 1911 and celebrating its 90th anniversary, ASSE is the oldest and largest professional safety and health organization and is dedicated to protecting people, property, and the environment. Its over 30,000 members manage, supervise and consult on safety, health and environmental issues in industry, insurance, government and education. For more information check www.asse.org.

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