Building a strong foundation for occupational health and safety: Action research in the workplace

Background Action research (AR) holds promise as a method to improve occupational health and safety. Methods This case study explores the challenges and accomplishments during the first 6 months of an AR occupational health and safety committee at a manufacturing facility. Results Critical steps in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of industrial medicine 2009-08, Vol.52 (8), p.614-624
Main Authors: Daltuva, Judith A., King, Katherine R., Williams, Melina K., Robins, Thomas G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
action research
Automobiles
Biological and medical sciences
Community-Based Participatory Research
Cooperative Behavior
Data Collection
empowerment
Ergonomics
Female
Health Services Research
Humans
joint union management collaboration
Male
Medical sciences
Michigan
Miscellaneous
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (U.S.)
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Occupational Health - statistics & numerical data
occupational health and safety
Occupational medicine
participatory
Power (Psychology)
Program Development
Program Evaluation
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Qualitative Research
United States
Workplace
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Summary:Background Action research (AR) holds promise as a method to improve occupational health and safety. Methods This case study explores the challenges and accomplishments during the first 6 months of an AR occupational health and safety committee at a manufacturing facility. Results Critical steps in the formative phase of the AR project included: (1) addressing differing power levels and perceived ownership of management and production committee members; (2) developing a collaborative approach to communication and problem solving; and (3) transitioning from dependence on university leadership to shared leadership among the committee. Conclusions AR can lead to greater empowerment to address occupational health and safety issues, and to improved dialoge between labor and management. AR can increase the likelihood that the problem will be understood, and effective solutions will be developed and their application supported and used throughout the organization. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:614–624, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:0271-3586
1097-0274
DOI:10.1002/ajim.20711