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Document ID (ISN)110786
CIS number 10-0394
ISSN - Serial title 0925-7535 - Safety Science
Year 2010
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Lindhout P., Kingston-Howlett J.C., Ale B.J.M.
Title Controlled readability of Seveso II company safety documents, the design of a new KPI
Bibliographic information July 2010, Vol.48, No.6, p.734-746. Illus. 42 ref.
Abstract Companies often use a substantial quantity of safety-related documents such as the front gate safety flyer, emergency evacuation instructions, work permits, safety procedures, work instructions and policy statements. In many cases the personnel magazines and message board notes also contain safety information. The authors and readers may not be in the same department, premises or cultural group. Previous research has found that Seveso II companies produce documents that are difficult for their workforce and visitors to understand. Authors do not write systematically to match the reader's skill level. So, without useful feedback, many authors cannot write sufficiently readable documents; to overcome this threshold, they need a quick document readability assessment tool. With such a tool, readability can become a controlled property of safety documents. Large companies may use hundreds or thousands of documents containing safety information. This paper presents a practical approach for the transition to, and monitoring of, controlled readability for all documents related to safety. A new key performance indicator (KPI) design on readability is proposed.
Descriptors (primary) evaluation of safety propaganda; major hazards
Descriptors (secondary) language interpretation; legibility; safety factors; social aspects; description of technique
Document type D - Periodical articles
Subject(s) Safety organization and training
Broad subject area(s) Fires, explosions and major hazards
Browse category(ies) Major hazards
Safety and health information