ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Problems of improving safety in small business establishments may include a lack of resources, limited unionization, and an informal management structure. METHODS: We evaluated worker and manager perceptions of worksite health and safety using Social Cognitive Theory. We used a business safety scorecard to audit the safety conditions, policies and programs, and work practices. Comparisons were made between the different measures. RESULTS: Businesses with safety committees had 1.7-2.1 times higher proportion of positive safety scorecard items than businesses without committees. Union status and business size were not associated with business safety audit results. Non-English-speaking and less educated employees reported higher levels of knowledge about safety than did their more educated and/or English-speaking peers. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a safety committee is the single most important indicator of workplace safety. Self-reported understanding of workplace safety is greater among employees who do not speak English or have lower levels of formal education. Future worksite interventions should consider the need for participatory worksite safety committees. Multilingual training programs would help reach a greater proportion of workers.
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Promotion , Metals/toxicity , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Occupational Health , Perception , Safety Management , Workplace/standards , Adolescent , Adult , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Cross-Sectional Studies , Data Collection , Female , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Minnesota , Organizational CultureABSTRACT
Small U.S. businesses are underserved in terms of occupational health and safety (OHS) services. Little is known about organizational factors influencing OHS in these establishments. Machine guarding was quantitatively evaluated in 40 small businesses. Checklists were used to develop safety scores. Organizational information such as number of employees, unionization, and number of machines was obtained. Experience modification rates, annual sales, and credit ratings were also obtained. Safety scores were divided into terciles. Businesses with safety scores in the top third were unionized, had effective safety committees, and had been operational for more than 30 years. Interventions and policies targeted toward development and implementation of safety committees are needed to improve OHS in this cohort. Financial capability had no bearing on ability of a small business to mount an OHS programs. Non-unionized small businesses may be more vulnerable to occupational injuries.
Subject(s)
Metallurgy/organization & administration , Occupational Health , Advisory Committees/organization & administration , Humans , Labor Unions/organization & administration , Minnesota , Organizational Objectives , Organizational PolicyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Metal working has been identified as an industry with one of the highest rates of non-fatal injury in the United States. However, the systematic evaluation of machine-related hazards is lacking. METHODS: The Minnesota Machine Guarding Study evaluates the effectiveness of a peer-based technical and educational intervention designed to reduce exposure to amputation hazards among workers in small machining/metal working businesses. The data presented here provide a profile of machine guarding in small (5-100 employees) metal fabrication businesses in Minnesota. A set of checklists to quantify machine-guarding practices were developed. Up to 25 randomly selected machines were evaluated in each facility. In addition, walk-through surveys were conducted to assess machine-related safety practices and programs (e.g., lock out-tag out). RESULTS: A total of 824 machines were evaluated. Overall, 55% (SD 11%) of items addressing machine guarding were present. No single machine complied with all critical safety requirements. Shops with safety committees tended to have better scores than did shops without safety committees. Thirty-five percent of all businesses had established machine guarding procedures and 17% provided training in machine guarding (e.g., use of machine guards and devices in daily operations) to their employees. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that machine guarding and related safety programs in small metal fabrication businesses were inadequate. The data also suggest that safety committees are an important component in improving machine safety and related programs in small businesses.
