Table 1.

NIOSH core competencies alignment with health belief model.

Concept	Definition	NIOSH eight core competencies
Perceived susceptibility	Belief about the chances of experiencing a risk or getting a condition or disease	(1) Recognize that, while work has benefits, all workers can be injured, become sick, or even be killed on the job. Workers need to know how workplace risks can affect their lives and their families.
Perceived severity	Belief about seriousness of a condition and its sequelae	(1) Recognize that, while work has benefits, all workers can be injured, become sick, or even be killed on the job. Workers need to know how workplace risks can affect their lives and their families. (3) Identify hazards at work, evaluate the risks, and predict how workers can be injured or made sick.
Perceived benefits	Belief in efficacy of the advised action to reduce risk or seriousness of impact	(2) Recognize that work-related injuries and illnesses are predictable and can be prevented.
Perceived barriers	Belief about the tangible and psychological costs of the advised action (e.g. fear of being fired, fear of speaking up)	(6) Recognize that employers are responsible for, and workers have the right to, safe and healthy work (such as employees cannot be fired for reporting workplace hazards). (8) Demonstrate how workers can communicate with others—including people in authority roles—to ask questions or report problems or concerns when they feel unsafe or threatened.
Cues to action	Strategies to activate “readiness” (e.g. knowledge of child labor laws)	(3) Identify hazards at work, evaluate the risks, and predict how workers can be injured or made sick. (5) Identify emergencies at work and decide on the best ways to address them. (6) Recognize that employers are responsible for, and workers have the right to, safe and healthy work. Workers also have the responsibility for keeping themselves and coworkers safe.
Self-efficacy	Confidence in one’s ability to take action and successfully execute the behavior required to produce outcomes	(4) Recognize how to prevent injury and illness. Describe the best ways to address workplace hazards and apply these concepts to specific workplace problems. (5) Identify emergencies at work and decide on the best ways to address them. (7) Find resources that help keep workers safe and healthy on the job. (8) Demonstrate how workers can communicate with others—including people in authority roles—to ask questions or report problems or concerns when they feel unsafe or threatened

Source: Adapted from Champion and Skinner (Champion & Skinner, 2008).