A cross-Canada knowledge transfer and exchange workplace intervention targeting the adoption of sun safety programs and practices: Sun Safety at Work Canada

• Published in: Safety science 2018-02, Vol.102, p.238-250
• Main Authors: Haynes, Emily, Kramer, Desre M., Strahlendorf, Peter, Holness, D. Linn, Kushner, Rivka, Tenkate, Thomas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Conceptual framework; Exposure; Hazards; Health risks; Heat exchange; Heat stress; Heat tolerance; Heatstroke; Intervention; Intervention research; Knowledge management; Knowledge transfer and exchange; Legislation; Management systems; Occupational exposure; Occupational hazards; Occupational health; Occupational health and safety; Occupational safety; Safety; Safety management; Safety programs; Safety training; Skin cancer; Sun; Sun safety; Supervisors; Ultraviolet exposure; Workplace-based research; Workplaces
• ISSN: 0925-7535; 1879-1042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2017.10.013

•Implementation of sun safety in 12 workplaces in three Canadian provinces.•Knowledge transfer and exchange intervention led by knowledge brokers.•Sun safety for outdoor workers approached as an occupational hazard.•Cross-case, 3-time-points, qualitative analysis of 40 h of interview data.•Barriers and facilitators to adopting sun safety in the workplace highlighted. Outdoor workers have a higher risk for skin cancers and heat stress. Workplaces need solutions relevant to their needs, proven to be effective in the real-world, and trialed in workplace settings. This article examines a workplace-based knowledge transfer and exchange intervention project, called Sun Safety at Work Canada. The objective was to have sun exposure included as a hazard within the workplaces’ health and safety management systems. Knowledge brokers from the research team engaged intensively and supported workplaces in the municipal and electrical-utility sectors to enhance sun safety for their outdoor workers. They provided assessment and feedback, sun safety resources, and sun safety training. The adoption of sun safety programs and practices was evaluated three times, in 12 workplaces, across three Canadian provinces. The intervention, interview questions and analyses were based upon an Organization Implementation Model. This article focuses on the barriers and facilitators to the adoption of sun safety, elements of the knowledge transfer and exchange intervention, and influences from the external environment. Over 40 h of interview data with workplace champions and key informants were analyzed using matrix-based methods and thematic coding. Barriers and facilitators to adoption included: the priority given to sun exposure as an occupational hazard; the workplaces’ available resources; the ability to engage key supervisors and workers; aspects of the intervention; and assistance from the knowledge brokers. The lack of provincial occupational health and safety legislation specific to ultraviolet exposure, and the regional climate also affected adoption. This intervention process is applicable to other hazards in occupational settings.