Citation

Rydell A, Andersson IM. Int. J. Occup. Safety Ergonomics 2019; 25(1): 138-147.

Affiliation

School of Technology and Business Studies , Dalarna University , Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10803548.2017.1374583

PMID

28862071

Abstract

Work environment investments are important in order to create a healthy and safe workplace. This article presents findings from a seven-step interventions process aimed at examining and following-up work environment investments in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), with a particular focus on air contaminants. Three different cases were analyzed and included in the study: (i) an educational center for welding; (ii) a paint station in furniture manufacturing; and (iii) a joinery in furniture manufacturing. The result shows that the work environment investments were highly appreciated by the employees and managers, but at the same time the investment could be optimized through markedly decreased exposure levels for the worker. Factors such as follow-ups of the investment, education and training in how to use the equipment, workers involvement in the process and leadership engagement are important in order to optimize work environment investments.

Language: en