Evaluation of a secondary school cosmetology safety and health training's effectiveness after implementation of a hierarchy of controls “pyramid game” using the “salon safety quiz”

In 2012-2013 school year (SY), New Jersey Safe Schools (NJSS) Program developed a 25 question Salon Safety Quiz (SSQ) to assess baseline safety and health (S&H) knowledge of young cosmetology students. The SSQ was used as a teaching pre-/post- assessment tool to evaluate relatively immediate gains of S&H knowledge, awareness and attitudes (KAAs) in the Young Worker Safety and Health Training for the Cosmetology Industry at various NJ career-technical-vocational school districts and comprehensive high schools during three (2012-2015) SYs. NJSS added a Pyramid Game to supplement training starting in SY 2013-2014 to reinforce various hazard control methods and potentially increase post-test scores and overall KAAs. Pre- and post- aggregate test data were analyzed to compare grade-levels within SYs 2013-2015 combined, as well as post- aggregate test data comparing SY 2012-2013 to SYs 2013-2015, to determine if implementing the Pyramid Game had an effect on post- scores. There were statistically significant differences in pre- and post- scores across grade levels combined during SYs 2013-2015, including a significant difference in 11th and 12th grader pre- and post- scores (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant improvement in post- scores from SYs 2013-2014/2014-2015 compared to SY 2012-2013 after implementing the Pyramid Game. Regardless, certain categories had overall average score increases during SYs 2013-2015, including risks faced by cosmetologists, and controlling ergonomic, chemical, and physical/S&H hazards. Results can help standardize approaches to implementing this cosmetology S&H Pyramid Game and revise training content to further improve S&H knowledge among future young cosmetology worker training regarding grade level differences.