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An exposure prevention rating method for intervention needs assessment and effectiveness evaluation . This article describes a new method for ( 1 ) systematically prioritizing needs for intervention on hazardous substance exposures in manufacturing work sites , and ( 2 ) evaluating intervention effectiveness . We developed a checklist containing six unique sets of yes/no variables organized in a 2 x 3 matrix of exposure potential versus protection ( two columns ) at the levels of materials , processes , and human interface ( three rows ) . The three levels correspond to a simplified hierarchy of controls . Each of the six sets of indicator variables was reduced to a high/moderate/low rating . Ratings from the matrix were then combined to generate a single overall exposure prevention rating for each area . Reflecting the hierarchy of controls , material factors were weighted highest , followed by process , and then human interface . The checklist was filled out by an industrial hygienist while conducting a walk-through inspection ( N = 131 manufacturing processes/areas in 17 large work sites ) . One area or process per manufacturing department was assessed and rated . Based on the resulting Exposure Prevention ratings , we concluded that exposures were well controlled in the majority of areas assessed ( 64 % with rating of 1 or 2 on a 6-point scale ) , that there is some room for improvement in 26 percent of areas ( rating of 3 or 4 ) , and that roughly 10 percent of the areas assessed are urgently in need of intervention ( rated as 5 or 6 ) . A second hygienist independently assessed a subset of areas to evaluate inter-rater reliability . The reliability of the overall exposure prevention ratings was excellent ( weighted kappa = 0.84 ) . The rating scheme has good discriminatory power and reliability and shows promise as a broadly applicable and inexpensive tool for intervention needs assessment and effectiveness evaluation . Validation studies are needed as a next step . This assessment method complements quantitative exposure assessment with an upstream prevention focus .
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Intervention_Other
exposure prevention rating method
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Intervention_Other
checklist
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Outcome_Other
Exposure Prevention ratings
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Outcome_Other
inter-rater reliability .
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Outcome_Other
reliability of the overall exposure prevention ratings
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Participant_Condition
intervention on hazardous substance exposures in manufacturing work sites