Effective and reliable behavioral control technology.
The fiberglass-reinforced plastics industry and the literature on controlling exposures to toxic substances were surveyed to select work practices and housekeeping conditions that might be useful in reducing workers' exposures to styrene. A training program was developed to teach the selected behaviors to workers, and a behavior maintenance program was developed to encourage their continued use after training. These behavioral controls were introduced to appropriate workers in three different plants and were effective in changing all selected behaviors and conditions. Statistically reliable reductions in workers' exposures to styrene accompanied the changes in behaviors. All improvements were maintained throughout the course of data collection. The research provides a clear demonstration that behavioral controls can be used reliably to reduce workers' exposures to toxic substances.