Early Occupational Health and Safety Interventions for Small Businesses: An Environmental Scan.

Application of a model for delivering occupational safety and health to smaller businesses: Case studies from the US

Interventions: Advancing the State of the Art

Occupational health disparities: The pandemic as prism and prod

Differences in safety training among smaller and larger construction firms with non-native workers: Evidence of overlapping vulnerabilities

Occupational Safety and Health amid the Global Pandemic

Smaller businesses differ from their larger counterparts in having higher rates of occupational injuries and illnesses and fewer resources for preventing those losses. Intervention models developed outside the United States have addressed the resource deficiency issue by incorporating intermediary organizations such as trade associations. This paper extends previous models by using exchange theory and by borrowing from the diffusion of innovations model. It emphasizes that occupational safety and health (OSH) organizations must understand as much about intermediary organizations as they do about small businesses. OSH organizations ("initiators") must understand how to position interventions and information to intermediaries as added value to their relationships with small businesses. Examples from experiences in two midwestern states are used to illustrate relationships and types of analyses implied by the extended model. The study found that intermediary organizations were highly attuned to providing smaller businesses with what they want, including OSH services. The study also found that there are opinion leader organizations and individual champions within intermediaries who are key to decisions and actions about OSH programming. The model places more responsibility on both initiators and intermediaries to develop and market interventions that will be valued in the competitive small business environment where the resources required to adopt each new business activity could always be used in other ways. The model is a candidate for empirical validation, and it offers some encouragement that the issue of sustainable OSH assistance to small businesses might be addressed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:1442-1451, 2013. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Occupational health and safety (OHS), as a fundamental human right, forms the basis of the obligation of employers to employees, requiring employers to do what is right. Responsible management practices encompass cognisance of sustainability, responsibility as well as legal, financial and moral aspects related to OHS compliance. As point of departure, an overview of core OHS criteria for small businesses is provided, with reference to awareness of these criteria in the G20 countries. This article utilises quantitative and qualitative data analysis to examine the reasons why small business owners/managers comply with occupational health and safety directives, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) in South Africa, determine if such reasons for compliance culminate in actual compliance, and determine the perceived effect of direct and indirect costs of OHS incidents. A total of 350 small business owners/managers took part in this study. The findings indicate that whilst small business owners/managers realise the rationale behind OHS compliance in terms of moral, legal and financial components, moral aspects related to OHS compliance are deemed most important. Small business owners/managers thus seem to realise the importance of OHS compliance. However, when it comes to adhering to their responsibility in terms of general safety regulations of the OHS Act and registration with the Compensation Fund as specified in the COIDA (as examples of actual compliance), small business owners/managers’ compliance does not reflect such realisation. A model to enhance OHS standards in small businesses, encompassing legal, moral and financial rationales, is proposed.

Small businesses (SBs) play an important role in global economies, employ half of all workers, and pose distinct workplace health problems. This systematic review of qualitative peer-reviewed literature was carried out to identify and synthesize research findings about how SB workplace parties understand and enact processes related to occupational health and safety (OHS). The review was conducted as part of a larger mixed-method review and in consultation with stakeholders. A comprehensive literature search identified 5067 studies. After screening for relevance, 20 qualitative articles were identified. Quality assessment led to 14 articles of sufficient quality to be included in the meta-ethnographic findings synthesis. This review finds that SBs have distinctive social relations of work, apprehensions of workplace risk, and legislative requirements. Eight themes were identified that consolidate knowledge on how SB workplace parties understand OHS hazards, how they manage risk and health problems, and how broader structures, policies and systems shape the practice of workplace health in SBs. The themes contribute to 'layers of evidence' that address SB work and health phenomena at the micro (e.g. employer or worker behavior), meso (e.g. organizational dynamics) and macro (e.g. state policy) levels. This synthesis details the unique qualities and conditions of SBs that merit particular attention from planners and occupational health policy makers. In particular, the informal workplace social relations can limit workers' and employers' apprehension of risk, and policy and complex contractual conditions in which SBs are often engaged (such as chains of subcontracting) can complicate occupational health responsibilities. This review questions the utility of SB exemptions from OHS regulations and suggests a legislative focus on the particular needs of SBs. It considers ways that workers might activate their own workplace health concerns, and suggests that more qualitative research on OHS solutions is needed. It suggests that answers to the SB OHS problems identified in this review might lie in third party interventions and improved worker representation.

Background: The Constitution of South Africa indicates that all people have the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being. This right is reiterated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 83 of 1993. However, small business owners and/or managers experience specific barriers to occupational health and safety (OHS) compliance. The study was conducted in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape provinces of South Africa, as these three provinces account for 82% of active businesses in South Africa.Objective: This article discusses barriers to OHS compliance as perceived by South African small business owners and/or managers.Method: A total of 350 small business owners and/or managers from the three above-mentioned provinces participated in a questionnaire survey, with one section focussing on barriers to OHS compliance. Participants rated 11 predetermined barriers to OHS compliance and could indicate and rate additional barriers. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to report on these perceived barriers.Results: Results indicated that the perceived barriers to OHS compliance can be categorised as human and resource barriers.Conclusion: South African small business owners and/or managers experience barriers to compliance that prevent them from full compliance with OHS directives, which can be costly. Small business owners and/or managers need to take cognisance of applicable OHS directives as well as identified barriers to compliance. These barriers need to be addressed to allow small businesses to comply with OHS directives and to enhance the sustainability of small businesses. The question is not whether small businesses can afford OHS compliance, but if they can afford not to overcome barriers and comply.

<h3>Introduction</h3> There is a limited understanding of what is known about the implications of recent occupational health and safety (OHS) protection measures on small business management and employees during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The study examines the different COVID-19 measures that have been used by small businesses in Miramichi, New Brunswick. <h3>Objectives</h3> The study identifies the most common OHS protection measures in use within small businesses during COVID-19 and explores whether differences exist in perspectives of employees and managers of small businesses on the most effective OHS protection measures used. <h3>Methods</h3> Recruitment was collected through convenience sampling between February 6th, 2021 and March 9th, 2021. Participants for the online survey included business management personnel and employees from Miramichi, NB. The cross-sectional study used a web-based survey containing 25 items concerning demographics (n=7), experiences working during COVID-19 (n=7), and information and experiences with characteristics of personal protective equipment (PPE) used (n=11). <h3>Results</h3> Results showed moderate ratings of positive endorsement (60%) from both employers and employees on the use of COVID-19 OHS protection measures. No significant differences were found between employer and employee perceptions on the effectiveness of employed protection measures. The most frequently used protection measures utilized in these small businesses constitute the three lowest levels of control represented on the NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls: engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE. <h3>Conclusion</h3> This study provides new knowledge through the collection of stakeholder perspectives about how current workplace strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in small businesses and may help guide future recommendations for small businesses dealing with other OHS and public health crises.

This study aims to describe the collaboration of stakeholder roles and analyzes the influence of government, Micro &amp; Small businesses and workers to improve the performance of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) officers in community health center. The study is a survey with a cross-sectional design to measure the influence of stakeholders' role on the performance of occupational health efforts. The study sample was 80 people, namely all OHS officers from the community health center (CHC) in the city of Medan. The independent variables in this study are the role of government (X1), the role of micro and small business (X2), the role of the workers (X3) and the performance of OHS officers is the dependent variable. Data collection is perfomed using a questionnaire that has been validated with interval scales 1 - 5. Hypothesis testing is based on using structural equation modeling path analysis and analysis is performed using PLS-SEM, Smart PLS 3.0. Direct test results show that the government has not played a significant role in Micro &amp; Small Business and the role of workers. The government only plays a significant role in the performance of OHS officers. Micro &amp; Small businesses significantly influence workers' role, but it has not significantly affected OHS officers' performance. The role of workers significantly influences the performance of OHS officers. Test results indirectly show the critical role of collaboration between stakeholders. Although it has not shown a significant effect, there is an increase in the significant value on the performance of officers. The finding confirms the need for seriousness and the importance of collaboration among stakeholders. The research needs to be expanded by involving all OHS officers up to sub-health centers, and other districts/cities with the same characteristics. The study has only investigated at community health center. Policy recommendations are given for managing an integrated occupational health service program in community health center involving all stakeholders in Medan.

Development of Occupational Health Measures for the National Health Security Preparedness Index.

Objectives: Occupational safety and health (OSH) interventions emphasizing regulation or education have had limited success in reducing agricultural accidents and fatalities. There is a growing interest in sociocultural approaches to OSH promotion amongst farmers, such as peer learning groups (PLGs). The level of OSH engagement within farmer PLGs (e.g. dairy discussion groups (DDGs)) is unknown. This study evaluates Irish DDG engagement with OSH in 2016 to better understand how DDGs contribute to OSH promotion. Methods: A mixed-mode (online, postal, and telephone) retrospective survey of 121 DDG representatives (i.e. chairperson or long-term member) assessed voluntary OSH engagement in 2016, including the location, frequency, duration, and content of OSH discussions. Results: Representatives of 96 DDGs participated in the survey and met the survey criteria. Most DDGs discussed OSH to some extent in 2016 (96%), including sharing personal experiences of accidents and illnesses (89%) and close calls (82%). For 76 DDGs, at least one meeting in 2016 addressed specific hazard and risk management topics. Groups were diverse with respect to discussion frequency, duration, and topics discussed. Conclusion: Farmers actively engaged with OSH in most DDGs surveyed, suggesting dairy farmers value OSH discussions. The findings illustrate the role of DDGs in OSH promotion, as a space for farmer-led, peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing. Farm advisory (extension) services and OSH professionals can strengthen OSH engagement through tailored resources that reflect contemporary OSH knowledge and popular discussion approaches (e.g. experience-sharing).

Little is known about the most effective occupational health and safety (OHS) interventions to reduce upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and injuries. A systematic review used a best evidence synthesis approach to address the question: "do occupational health and safety interventions have an effect on upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms, signs, disorders, injuries, claims and lost time?" The search identified 36 studies of sufficient methodological quality to be included in data extraction and evidence synthesis. Overall, a mixed level of evidence was found for OHS interventions. Levels of evidence for interventions associated with positive effects were: Moderate evidence for arm supports; and Limited evidence for ergonomics training plus workstation adjustments, new chair and rest breaks. Levels of evidence for interventions associated with "no effect" were: Strong evidence for workstation adjustment alone; Moderate evidence for biofeedback training and job stress management training; and Limited evidence for cognitive behavioral training. No interventions were associated with "negative effects". It is difficult to make strong evidenced-based recommendations about what practitioners should do to prevent or manage upper extremity MSDs. There is a paucity of high quality OHS interventions evaluating upper extremity MSDs and none focused on traumatic injury outcomes or workplace mandated pre-placement screening exams. We recommend that worksites not engage in OHS activities that include only workstation adjustments. However, when combined with ergonomics training, there is limited evidence that workstation adjustments are beneficial. A practice to consider is using arm supports to reduce upper extremity MSDs.

Intermediaries Supporting Occupational Health and Safety Improvements in Small Businesses: Development of Typology and Discussion of Consequences for Preventive Strategies.