Chartered SurveyorsEnvironmental Consultants

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David Inman BSc(Hons) MRICS AIEMA TechIOA

Behavioural Issues in construction Environmental “Toolbox Talks” training

“Competence, training an awareness” a requirement of ISO 14001:2004

Staff must be competent to carry out tasks which may have the potential to cause an environmental impact.

Clients may require it

Reduces the risk of pollution or nuisance on site

Why do we do environmental training in construction?

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Toolbox talks are site based learning tools used throughout construction

The types of environmental toolbox talks

There is no set standard

VERY few have learning objectives or a check that learning has taken place

No qualification requirement for theperson delivering it

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Low level disruption seen during these talks

•Heavy sighing•Head in arms•Looking a ceiling/out of window•Reading/doodling•Talking•Swinging on chair•Questioning who trainer is•Lack of concentration•Sleeping•Uncomfortable in learning environment

These can be attributed to low learner motivation

When’s he going to shut up – I want my dinner

What’s the point being here- thecontract’s only for 6 months

What’s running in the 3:30 at Haydock?

He’s reading the racing tips-so I’ll do the crossword

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“I know I cannot teach anyone anything.I can only provide the environment in which he can learn…”(Rogers 1969)

With toolbox talks there is a lack of learner motivation due to:

•Locality of training

•Limited use of learning styles – audible style only is common

•To requirement for training to people delivering toolbox talks

Facilitative working can work if we break away from old fashioned methods.

Learner motivation

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Maslow ‘s heirarchy is a good model for human motivation

Maslow (1970) used this model to show that “higher” needs, such as esteemand self actualisation can only be possible with the support of lower order ones

With toolbox talks, it has been seenthat the following are missing

Peer pressure to be unmotivated in learning

Lack of belonging of contract workers and subcontractors

Contract or project work leads to uncertainty of employment

Poor learning accommodation and learning during meal breaks Can lead to physiological needs

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A Social Cognitive approach is needed to identify the cause of unproductive behaviour.

What are the causes of this behaviour?

•Toolbox talks only using one learning style

•Perception of being boring and rightly so

•“Death by toolbox talk”

•Poor delivery not by qualified trainer

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How can we overcome the causes of this behaviour?

Use several learning styles, so all learners can be motivated

Set learning objectives and make relevant to the actual work

Don’t over do the number of TBT – limit to 2 a session on different topics

Provide support for people delivering toolbox talks to help them develop their competencies in facilitating learning.

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Referring back to Maslow (1970) here are some reason seen to raise motivation:

Peer pressure to be unmotivated in learningSolution – Mix learning groups up.Vary learning styles as learners may have been out of education for a long while

Lack of belonging of contract workers and subcontractorsSolution – carry out learning Not just for project, but for learner

Contract or project work leads to uncertainty of employmentSolution – carry out learning Not just for project, but for learner

Poor learning accommodation and learning during meal breaks can lead to physiological needs Solution – invest in learning by improving accommodation or providing refreshments

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Training facilitators must adjust Psycho Social situations where the learners are compelled to form barriers expected by their peers.

There needs to be a move away from contractors saying they have “done” toolbox talks without any learning objectives or demonstration learning has taken place.

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Bibliography

CHILD, D (2007) Psychology and the Teacher, 8th ed., New York: Continuum

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDIZATION (2003) ISO 14001: 2004 Environmental Management Systems – Specification with Guidance for Use, 2004 ed., London: BSI/Geneva: International Organisation for Standardization

PETTY, G.(2004) Teaching Today, 4th ed., Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes

For more information about this presentation, please email:

davidinman@diemltd.co.uk

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