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Bridging the occupational policy to practice gap: user-centered designed toolbox talks for landscaping tree care
Gregory D Kearney1, Guiseppe Getto2, Jamie Hisel1
1Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.
Frontiers in Public Health
|December 15, 2025
Summary
Safety Toolbox Talks were developed for dangerous landscaping and tree care jobs. This participatory approach improved safety communication and relevance for workers and supervisors in this high-risk industry.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Safety and Health
- Workplace Training
- Risk Management in High-Risk Industries
Background:
- Landscaping and tree care are high-risk occupations with significantly elevated fatality and injury rates compared to the national average.
- These industries face limited regulatory oversight and a scarcity of accessible safety training resources for workers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop culturally relevant, policy-driven safety "Toolbox Talks" specifically for the landscaping and tree care sector.
- To evaluate the usability, clarity, applicability, and usefulness of prototype Toolbox Talks in small business settings.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods study involving 60 workers and supervisors from small landscaping and tree care companies.
- Development and iterative field testing of prototype Toolbox Talks, incorporating user feedback on design, terminology, and graphics.
- Group sessions were conducted to identify and revise user "pain points".
Main Results:
- Workers and supervisors found Toolbox Talks highly needed and relevant for hazard recognition and promoting safe practices.
- Narrative "true story" examples effectively reinforced hazard recognition and prevention strategies.
- Supervisors reported increased confidence and clarity in delivering training; Spanish terminology improved accessibility.
Conclusions:
- Direct user engagement in developing Toolbox Talks significantly enhanced their relevance, clarity, cultural fit, and usability.
- This participatory approach offers a practical and scalable model for improving safety communication in under-regulated, high-risk occupations.
- Toolbox Talks can effectively address workplace hazards and promote safety in the landscaping and tree care industry.
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