The Impact of Work Sequence-Based Safety Training on Workers’ Cognitive Effectiveness at Construction Sites

Daily pre-work safety training for workers is essential due to their exposure to various hazardous factors. However, existing training methods often fail to effectively deliver information in a way that supports workers’ learning and comprehension, resulting in poor job performance and a lack of adherence to safety protocols. This study explores a novel approach to structuring safety training by examining the cognitive characteristics of workers in relation to the placement order and composition of training materials. An educational recall experiment involving 660 construction workers was conducted to evaluate the impact of training material design on content retention. The results showed that the average number of recalls was significantly higher when the training content was structured according to the actual work sequence, compared to content organized in a random order. Additionally, separating execution standards from safety standards led to better recall than when the two were integrated. These findings highlight the importance of aligning training materials with workers’ cognitive processing patterns. This study contributes to both theory and practice by providing evidence-based guidance for improving pre-work safety training. The proposed method offers a practical solution for small- and medium-sized construction companies that often lack the resources to develop effective training materials.