Intervention to improve purchasing decision-maker perceptions of ventilated tools

A theory-based intervention strategy to improve purchasing decision-maker perceptions of ventilated tools was developed, implemented, and tested. The intervention was designed to target key constructs of the prevention through design adoption readiness model (PtD ARM), a previously published conceptual model. A Web-based intervention was developed that included information about the health effects of construction dust, a testimonial by a firm owner, and a video demonstrating side-by-side use of both ventilated and nonventilated tools, which provided visual evidence of dust generation and productivity performance. In a pretest/posttest with a control group and an experimental design, purchasing decision makers (n=49) were contacted by telephone. A validated survey instrument was used to collect perception data and open-ended responses regarding barrier information. Gain score t-test analysis found significant improvements in perceived ease of use, health knowledge, and perceived risk in the intervention group. Open-ended results identified barriers to the use of ventilated tools. The intervention methods presented in this paper can be used by future researchers and occupational safety and health practitioners to improve the use of safety innovations.