Safety leadership training effectiveness evaluation on behavior change among large-herd U.S. dairy farm supervisors

BackgroundPrior research suggests leader-based interventions are considered to have a much stronger influence on worker safety behavior and climate than worker-based interventions. However, no prior research has evaluated training effectiveness of safety-specific leadership skill development for front-line supervisors on dairy farms. A tailored safety leadership training program targeting dairy farm supervisors was developed, delivered, and evaluated for its training effect on the supervisor’s safety leadership behavior.MethodsA 12-module safety leadership training program was developed and delivered in an asynchronous format using e-learning methods to 73 dairy farm supervisors, representing 30 farms across five western U.S. states. We employed the Kirkpatrick Model to evaluate different levels of training effectiveness.FindingsEvaluation of knowledge gained among participants revealed significant differences between pre- and post-test scores with medium to very large learning effect sizes across all training modules, particularly with training modules addressing safety culture, workplace conflict, and safety meetings. Safety leadership behavior change evaluation revealed significant pre-post training effects across most training modules, particularly regarding safety dialogue, hazard assessment, safety modeling, and conducting safety meetings.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that safety leadership training can result in essential leadership behavior change among front-line dairy farm supervisors.Application to PracticeThis study provides many insights into the successful implementation of a safety leadership training program in a challenging industrial sector (rural/remote workplaces, immigrant workforce), as well as training effectiveness evaluation using novel data collection methodology. Additional research is needed on the effectiveness and sustainability of safety leadership training in high-risk industrial sectors such as agriculture.