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Have companies improved their health and safety approaches over the last decade? A longitudinal study
Author(s) -
Geldart Sybil,
Shan Harry S.,
Lohfeld Lynne
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20131
Subject(s) - medicine , occupational safety and health , occupational medicine , work (physics) , operations management , pathology , economics , mechanical engineering , engineering
Background Workplace level health and safety (H&S) policies, practices, and attitudes were compared longitudinally in 120 manufacturing firms. Methods A mailed questionnaire for worker and management representatives in the sampled worksites was first completed in 1990 [Shannon et al. (1996) Am J Ind Med 29:258–268]. Workplaces that were still in business in 2001 were re‐surveyed to assess change over time in key variables previously found to be related to lost‐time injury (LTI) rates. Results Several variables differed between 1990 and 2001, e.g., increase in safety training, lower turnover rate, and more management involvement in H&S. Other variables previously associated with higher LTI rates also were more prevalent in 2001: more work stoppages for H&S issues, greater perception of risk from hazards, and an increase in workers' lobbying management for H&S improvements. Conclusions There appears to be greater awareness of H&S issues today, and a movement to upper management becoming more involved in H&S and delegating less authority to individual workers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 47:227–236, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.