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Using the Framework for Health Promotion Action to address staff perceptions of occupational health and safety at a fly‐in/fly‐out mine in north‐west Queensland
Author(s) -
Devine Susan G.,
Muller Reinhold,
Carter Anthony
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he08196
Subject(s) - participatory action research , occupational safety and health , focus group , occupational health nursing , health promotion , citizen journalism , nursing , medicine , promotion (chess) , public relations , environmental health , public health , business , marketing , sociology , political science , pathology , politics , anthropology , law
Issue addressed An exploratory descriptive study was undertaken to identify staff perceptions of the types and sources of occupational health and safety hazards at a remote fly‐in‐fly‐out minerals extraction and processing plant in northwest Queensland. Methods Ongoing focus groups with all sectors of the operation were conducted concurrently with quantitative research studies from 2001 to 2005. Action research processes were used with management and staff to develop responses to identified issues. Results Staff identified and generated solutions to the core themes of: health and safety policies and procedures; chemical exposures; hydration and fatigue. The Framework for Health Promotion Action was applied to ensure a comprehensive and holistic response to identified issues. Conclusions Participatory processes using an action research framework enabled a deep understanding of staff perceptions of occupational health and safety hazards in this setting. The Framework for Health Promotion provided a relevant and useful tool to engage with staff and develop solutions to perceived occupational health and safety issues in the workplace. So what? Staff and management achieved mutually beneficial outcomes through active engagement in the identification of, and response to, health and safety hazards in the workplace. Partnerships formed with an outside agency allowed management and staff to work collaboratively to enhance the working and living conditions in this flyin‐fly‐out mine setting.