Motivational factors influencing small construction and auto repair enterprises to participate in occupational health and safety programmes

Laura Veng Kvorning, Peter Hasle, Ulla Christensen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Small enterprises have limited resources to prioritise occupational health and safety (OHS) so regulatorsand other stakeholders have developed programmes to support them. The present study analysed thefactors influencing active participation of small construction and auto repair enterprises to engage in aDanish national OHS programme focusing on the prevention of wear and tear of the musculoskeletalsystem. The programme provided the enterprises with financial support and support from a facilitator.The study was a qualitative case study supplemented with selected survey data from the enterprisesand qualitative data from stakeholders involved in the implementation of the programme. The resultsshowed that the way the programme was introduced through labour inspectors, employer associations,or networks influenced the motivation of the enterprises to engage in the programme. The motivation foractive participation also depended on the content of the prevention package, the economic support andthe possibility for facilitation. The decision to start the implementation process depended on whether theowner-managers acknowledged the need for the new OHS approach and whether they found the processmeaningful. Contextual factors, as experienced by the owner-managers, influenced the motivation foractive participation. These included inter alia general attitude towards authorities and procedures, accessto relevant projects and technical equipment, the characteristics of the manager, and the workplace culture.It is concluded that contextual factors can limit the efficacy of programme mechanisms and shouldbe taken into account when designing programmes.
Original languageEnglish
JournalSafety Science
Volume71
Issue numberPart C
Pages (from-to)253-263
Number of pages11
ISSN0925-7535
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2015

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