Richard Skiba

Proposed Title

A Framework for Health and Safety Training in Vocational Education and Training for High-Risk Occupations

Supervisor

Principal Supervisor: Dr Susanne Francisco
Co-Supervisor: Associate Professor Alan Bain

Research

Australian workplaces experience a relatively consistent high rate of injury and fatality, particularly for Machinery Operators, Drivers, and Labourers working in the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing and Transport, Postal, and Warehousing industries, with the most likely risk being related to vehicle collision or being hit by moving objects.  These identified high-risk work practices require attention to reduce the injuries and fatalities that occur within them.

Currently the teaching of health and safety in vocational education and training, and the application of the learning in a work environment, focuses on the individual and often single factors, such as hazard identification.  At present, there is no model that combines the many contributing factors in accident causation and prevention that could be used to shape safety training nor for working safely.  Such a model, that identifies prevention strategies that can be embedded in training practices in the context of workplace practices, could provide the basis for the development of training products in vocational education and training and for safer work practices in high-risk work environments.

The theory of practice architectures allows for identification and consideration of the enablers and constraints in the practices of training health and safety and working safely and extends the focus from the individual to the site-based arrangements that enable and constrain particular practices related to high-risk work.  The impact of the enablers and constraints can then be analysed to form the basis of a model for the development of health and safety training and work practices that reduce the likelihood of harm.

Why I chose Charles Sturt

Through my professional career, I have a strong interest and developed expertise in vocational education and training and workplace health and safety.  I require a setting for the Ph.D. project that can accommodate these two fields, which Charles Sturt is able to provide.  The Charles Sturt Faculty of Arts and Education offers specialization in adult education, and in particular, has academic staff that specialize in Vocational Education and Training, and is a leader in this area, where the majority of universities lack these specializations.

Engagement and Memberships

  • PEP Charles Sturt University Reading group
  • PEP Australia

Publications

  • Skiba, R. (2020). Applications of Trauma Informed Approaches in Vocational Education and Training. Creative Education, 11, 488-499. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2020.114036
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Blockchain Technology as a Health and Safety Contributor in the Transport and Logistics Industry – Human Resource Requirements. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT), 5 (4), 544-550. https://doi.org/10.38124/IJISRT20APR685
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Promotion of Vocational Education and Training Career Pathways in the Australian Construction Industry. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 8(5), 393-399. https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol8.iss5.2354.
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Competency Standards for Emerging Hydrogen Related Activities. Open Journal of Safety Science and Technology, 10, 42-52. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojsst.2020.102004
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Mitigating the Risk of Fatality through Increased Uptake in Vocational Education and Training in Australian High Risk Occupations. International Education and Research Journal, 6 (4), 37 – 41.
  • Skiba, R. (2020). High Touch Surface COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting: Workforce Health and Safety Preparation. Global Journal of Medical Research: K Interdisciplinary, 20 (5), 7-11.  https://doi.org/10.34257/GJMRKVOL20IS5PG7.
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Adaptation of Australian Qualifications in Building and Construction for Delivery within the European Qualifications Framework. International Education and Research Journal, 6 (5), 6-9.
  • Skiba R. (2020). Psychological and Sociological Factors Impacting on Migrant Worker Contribution to, and Adaptation of, Workplace Safety Culture. Open Science Journal, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.23954/osj.v5i2.2461
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Effective Means of Teaching and Developing Emotional Intelligence in the Corrections Industry. Advances in Applied Sociology, 10, 187-199. https://doi.org/10.4236/aasoci.2020.106012
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Rationalization in Australian Vocational Education and Training. International Journal of Vocational Education and Training Research, 6(1), 17-27. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijvetr.20200601.13.
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Graded Assessment Models for Competency-Based Training in Vocational Education and Training. World Journal of Education, 10(3), 106-112. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v10n3p106
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Managing Risks and Exposures to Silica in Training and Assessment Activities in Vocational Education and Training. International Journal of Learning and Development, 10(2), 36-43. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijld.v10i2.16989
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Best Practice Standards and Methodology for Crane Operator Training—A Global Perspective. Journal of Transportation Technologies, 10(3), 265-279. https://doi.org/10.4236/jtts.2020.103017.
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Conflict De-Escalation: Workplace Training. Open Journal of Social Sciences. 8(7), 153-162. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2020.87013
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Characteristics of Effective Health and Safety Training Environments and Trainers in Australian Vocational Education and Training. International Journal of Vocational Education and Training Research, 6(2), 22-28.
  • https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijvetr.20200602.11
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Insight into Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technology. Organic & Medicinal Chemistry International Journal, 9(5), 129-132. https://doi.org/10.19080/OMCIJ.2020.09.555772
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Water Industry Cyber Security Human Resources and Training Needs. International Journal of Engineering Management, 4(1), 11-16. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijem.20200401.12
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Usage of Cool Burning as a Contributor to Bushfire Mitigation. Natural Resources, 11, 307-316. https://doi.org/10.4236//nr.2020.118018
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Vocational Education and Training and the Development of Safe Workers. Creative Education, 11, 1617-1639. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2020.119118
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Incorporating Adult Learning Principles in High Risk Equipment Operations Training. In The International Academic Forum, The European Conference on Education 2020: Conference Proceedings (517-528). London, United Kingdom.
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Promotion of Safe Work Practices in the Agricultural Sector through Coaching as a Training Strategy in Australia. International Journal of Education, 12(3), 149-162. https://doi.org/10.5296/ije.v12i3.16938
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Incorporating Adult Learning Principles in High-Risk Equipment Operations Training. International Education Studies, 13(10), 60-69. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v13n10p60
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Managing Australian Vocational Education and Training for Economic Recovery. International Journal of Economics, Business and Management Research, 4(10), 222-233.
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Crush Injury Risk Awareness, Prevention and Minimisation in Load Shifting Operations. Social Science, Humanities and Sustainability Research, 1(2), 79 – 90. https://doi.org/10.22158/sshsr.v1n2p79
  • Skiba, R. (2020). Assessment in Vocational Education and Training Aligned to the Intent of Underpinning Units of Competency – An Australian Application Overview and Use Case to Competency Based Training. In V. Akerson & I. Sahin (Eds.), Proceedings of IConSES 2020- - International Conference on Social and Education Sciences (pp. 48-54), Chicago, IL, USA. ISTES Organization.
  • Skiba, R. (2021). Trauma Informed Training Practices in Adult
  • Education. In Mag, A. G. & Yildirim, A (Eds.), Modern Perspectives in Language, Literature and Education Vol. 3 (pp. 74-86), London, UK. Book Publisher International.
  • Skiba, R. (2020, July 16). Incorporating Adult Learning Principles in High Risk Equipment Operations Training.  Paper presented at the European Conference on Education (ECE) 2020, London, UK. https://vimeo.com/iafor/57683.
  • Skiba, R. (2020, October 16). Assessment in Vocational Education and Training Aligned to the Intent of Underpinning Units of Competency – An Australian Application Overview and Use Case to Competency Based Training. Paper presented at International Conference on Social and Education Sciences (IConSES) 2020, Chicago, USA.
Current candidate profiles
Portrait of Richard Skiba
Richard is a full-time HDR candidate in the School of Education.