Falling outside the system: Occupational safety and health inspectors’ experiences of micro-enterprises in Sweden

Emma Hagqvist,Stig Vinberg,Susanna Toivanen,Malin Hagström,Sara Granqvist,Bodil J Landstad

doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104631

Abstract

In this study, 11 Swedish occupational safety and health (OSH) inspectors were interviewed about their views of and experiences interacting with micro-enterprises (1-9 employees). The qualitative content analysis found one theme, “Falling outside the system”, and three subthemes, “The inspector—shaped by specific standards”, “The bureaucrat and the micro-entrepreneur—two separate worlds”, and “System faults and system changes”. According to the inspectors, the Swedish OSH regulatory system, with inspectors on the front line, neglects the specific needs, circumstances and characteristics of micro-enterprises. Therefore, we suggest revising the OSH regulatory system and following inspection methods and enforcement styles to better address the needs of micro-enterprises.

Highlights

Micro and small enterprises are seen as key drivers of economic growth, innovation, employment and social integration (Legg et al, 2015)
The findings indicate that the occupational safety and health (OSH) inspectors’ views of and relationships with micro-entrepreneurs are complex
The overall conclusion of this study, based on narratives from OSH inspectors, is that micro-enterprises seem to fall outside the system

Summary

Introduction

Micro and small enterprises are seen as key drivers of economic growth, innovation, employment and social integration (Legg et al, 2015). Half of the European workforce is employed in this sector of working life, and effective occupational safety and health (OSH) management is essential to ensuring both the well-being of workers and the long-term economic survival of these enterprises (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work [EASHW], 2018). Most OSH research, policy and legislation has been and remains focused on larger companies (Legg et al, 2015). Small companies have fewer resources to influence stakeholders in developing policies or research in the field (Legg et al, 2015). Statistics and studies show that the safety and health of many workers employed in micro-enterprises is poorly protected and that ensuring good OSH management in these enterprises remains a considerable challenge (EASHW, 2018; Vickers et al, 2005). European Union directives declare that member states should improve work environment processes and OSH management in micro-enterprises (EASHW, 2016)

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion