An action research study focused on training programs to reduce injuries and fatalities in high risk industries

The purpose of this qualitative study supported by action research was to explore participants perception and experiences of past hazard recognition and evaluations styles. Two-thirds of occupational fatalities involve workers employed in the oil and gas extraction industry. Although there is much research conducted on culture and training, little has been applied to high-risk industries like oil and gas extraction. This study leverages existing literature in providing a framework to assess and change workers behavior in hazardous working environments towards reducing occupational injuries and fatalities. By using an action research through a cyclic approach within the client system as the vehicle to arrive at the root cause of the problem, the researcher employs themes through series of action research cycles to arrive at the results of this study. The Kirkpatrick's Four Levels of evaluation was used in this research as an evaluation tool to discover the need to improve safety training. The results from the research study stem from four opened-ended interview questions and responses from 15 safety professionals on their experiences with hazard assessments and feedback. The research characterizes the goals that training associated with experiences and feedback arrive at a consensus that assessment, feedback, and behavior does not compromise OSHA regulations under occupational injuries and actually enhances organization ability to achieve training goals.;Keywords: safety management, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, organization, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American Petroleum Institute (API), National Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).