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The impact of workplace change on occupational health and safety: A study of four manufacturing plants
Author(s) -
Macintosh Malcolm,
Gough Richard
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
human factors and ergonomics in manufacturing and service industries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.408
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1520-6564
pISSN - 1090-8471
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1520-6564(199821)8:2<155::aid-hfm5>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - occupational safety and health , work (physics) , business , manufacturing , government (linguistics) , competition (biology) , control (management) , work environment , marketing , public relations , operations management , management , engineering , political science , economics , mechanical engineering , ecology , linguistics , philosophy , law , biology
Abstract This article examines the relationship between changes in the management of work organization and occupational health and safety (OHS) in four manufacturing companies in Australia between 1988 and 1995. The period is one in which the Australian manufacturing sector faced considerable change as it grappled with the pressures of global competition. Government policies as well as industry initiatives created an environment favoring the development of a “new workplace culture” in manufacturing enterprises. The greater levels of employee involvement and responsibility in many manufacturing workplaces suggested that the employees would gain a greater direct control over their work environment and the hazards inherent in that environment. The study suggests that three factors appear to mediate the translation of management practices from work organization and involvement over production matters to OHS. These are: changes in the management of people, including employee involvement and team working practices; the role and influence of OHS experts in shaping the priorities and methods used to manage OHS; and the degree and extent of union involvement in decisions within the organization. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.