Queensland's University of Technology (QUT) researchers have developed a set of 13 Safety Effectiveness Indicators aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries on building sites.

The measures are a result of five years of research by the CRC for Construction Innovation into improving the safety culture on construction work sites.

According to associate professor Herbert Biggs from QUT's school of psychology and counselling, construction sites have, up until now, been using Positive Performance Indicators (PPIs) as a proactive measurement tool.

"However, PPIs don't provide information on whether each activity is being undertaken effectively and therefore don't provide data that can be used by industry to target areas which need improvement," he said.

Safety Effectiveness Indicators, on the other hand, provide an opportunity to not only evaluate how often, but how effectively activities were being done.

"For example, most construction sites hold regular toolbox talks as a way of ensuring effective consultation between workers and supervisors. One of the Safety Effectiveness Indicators allows the evaluation of whether or not these toolbox talks provide increased awareness of safety issues, hazards and safety actions on-site," Biggs said.

The evaluation tool works by allowing evaluators to tick either 'yes' or 'no' or 'not applicable' in regards to whether a number of safety elements had been effectively conveyed and carried out.

Organisers are then encouraged to collect trend data and evaluate over time if improvements are being made.