Warning symbols as reminders of hazards: impact of training

Prior research indicates that many warning symbols are poorly understood. However Lesch Lesch, M.F., 2003. Comprehension and memory for warning symbols: Age-related differences and impact of training. J. Safety Res. 34, 495–505] found that accident scenarios could be used to improve comprehension of warning symbols. The current study further investigated the potential benefits of accident scenario training. During training, warning symbols with verbal labels corresponding to the meaning of the symbol were paired with accident scenarios which expanded on the nature of the hazard, the required/prohibited actions, as well as the possible consequences of failing to comply. A number of measures were obtained prior to, and following (immediately and 2 weeks later), the accident scenario training: comprehension across three knowledge types (verbal label, required/prohibited actions, potential consequences of failure to comply), ratings of agreement with statements reflecting perceived control, and ratings of hazard and intent to comply. Benefits of training were observed on all dependent measures: Comprehension improved from 43 to 82% correct, reaction times were reduced by about 2 s, and level of confidence in correct responses increased by 23%. Ratings of perceived hazard, intent to comply, and perceived control over accident/injury involvement also increased. It is suggested that accident scenario training can be used to help prevent accidents and injuries by ensuring that responses to warnings are “sure and swift”.