Factors influencing the motivation of small enterprises to participate in OHS initiatives/programmes – based on a Danis

1. Factors influencing the motivation of small enterprises to participate in OHS initiatives/programmes – based on a Danish case study Laura K. V. Kvorning1), Peter Hasle2) Ph.D. Student at The National Research Centre for the Working Environment and The Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Professor at Centre for Industrial Production, Aalborg University, Copenhagen USE conference 2013 Nelson, New Zealand

2. Overview of presentation • Relevant features of small enterprises when designing OHS interventions • The Danish case study: Prevention Packages for small construction enterprises • Aim of study • Study design • The 9 case enterprises • Analytical approach • Preliminary results: Motivational factors • Preliminary conclusions

3. Relevant features of small enterprises when designing OHS interventions • Lack of financial and managerial resources • Limited resources to prioritise OHS => difficult to comply with legislation • Ad hoc approach to OHS – less recognition of the need for a systematic OHS approach • Informal organisation of work and strong social relations • Owner-managers – guided by personal and cultural beliefs rather than by national guidelines • External uncertainty but ability to respond quickly to changing economic conditions • Interventions must focus on simple and low cost solutions and on action-oriented methods combining OSH with other management goals and it should be based on trust and dialogue

4. The Danish case study The political setting of the case study The Prevention Fund: • was established by Danish Government in 2007 • has the objective to reduce long-term effects of physical strain in the musculoskeletal system along with psychosocial exposures and health promotion and avoid exclusion from the labour market • grants financial support – ca. 70 million NZD annually. Outcome: Small enterprises did not apply => Design of Prevention Packages for small enterprises

5. The Prevention Packages for small construction enterprises • The objective is to prevent long-term effects of physical strain in the musculoskeletal system • Evidence-based interventions developed in 2010 by researchers from NRCWE and Danish Working Environment Authority and launched in 2011. • Predefined interventions based on a step-by-step manual/guide describing the implementation process • Target group was small enterprises ≤ 9 employees • Length of process was three to six months • Financial support consisting of a predefined budget (salaries and costs during the implementation process) • A facilitator from the Danish Working Environment Authority help through the process

6. Two Prevention Packages • Prevention Package: Heavy lifting and use of technical aids • Discussing the work routines and tasks in terms of what technical equipment would be relevant for the enterprise • Demonstrating and testing of the technical equipment • Evaluating and planning the use of technical equipment in both short-and long-term projects • Prevention Package: Improved planning and coordination • Discussing how the work is planned and what should be changed • Introducing new planning tools e.g. kick-off meetings, construction meetings, toolbox meetings • Implementating and evaluating the new tools

7. Aim of study • The objective of the paper:to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms motivating small enterprises to engage in OHS intervention programmes and improve their OHS by studying a new Danish OHS programme. • The research question is: Which mechanisms influence the motivation of managers of small enterprises to apply for and implement the programme and which contextual conditions influence this process?

8. Study design • Telephone interview survey with 20 managers => 9 cases selected • Face-to-face interviews with managers (midway) • Questions on e.g. management, organisational structure, OHS, contextual changes, introduction, expectations, motivation, the facilitator, engagement, implementation process • Face-to-face interviews with facilitator from the ‘Authority’ of each of the selected enterprises • Questions on the implementation process • Face-to-face interviews with employer associations, labour unions and staff from The Prevention Fund • Questions on introduction and engagement in the Prevention Packages • Thematic content analysis based on theoretical assumptions (the programme theory)

9. The 9 case enterprises

10. Contextual factors Action Introduction to programme Programme mechanisms/ Instruments (motivation) Process of sensemaking (intention to action) Analytical approach The programme theory of the Prevention Packages Health outcome

11. Contextual factors: • The society: political priorities, state of the market • The sector: attitude towards authorities, union/employer organisation, OSH standards, general procedures and requirements • The enterprise: physical environment/workplace, experience, skills, workplace culture Action: • Change attitude towards OHS • Implement new work routines Introduction to programme: • Inspector from the Danish Working Environment Authority • Organisation • Own initiative • Network Programme mechanisms/ instruments: • Economic incentive • Advisor from the Danish Working Environment Authority • The content of the Prevention Package Process of sensemaking: • Acknowledge a need of OHS systems • Task or project available • Instrument/aid available • Workload Preliminary results: Motivational factors

12. Preliminary conclusions Different factors influencing the motivation of the small construction enterprises to participate in the Prevention Packages: • The way the enterprises became aware of the programme and the incentives to improve the working conditions (financial support and facilitation) • The content of the programme (heavy lifting and improved planning) • The process of sensemaking - the acknowledgement of a need for systematic OHS approach • The contextual factors such as the needed practical skills, attitude towards the authorities, relevant task or project and workload affected the programme mechanisms and the change of behaviour

13. References (1) Breslin, F.C., Kyle, N., Bigelow, P., Irvin, E., Morassaei, S., MacEachen, E., Mahood, Q., Couban, R., Shannon, H., Amick, B.C., 2010. Effectiveness of Health and Safety in Small Enterprises: A Systematic Review of Quantitative Evaluations of Interventions. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 20, 163-179. Champoux, D., Brun, J., 2003. Occupational health and safety management in small size enterprises: an overview of the situation and avenues for intervention and research. Safety Science 41, 301-318. Hasle, P., Kvorning, L.V., Rasmussen, C.D., Smith, L.H., Flyvholm, M.A., 2012. A model for design of tailored working environment intervention programmes for small enterprises. Safety and health at work 3. Hasle, P., Limborg, H.J., 2006. A review of the literature on preventive occupational health and safety activities in small enterprises. Industrial health 44, 6-12.

14. References (2) Legg, S., Olsen, K., Lamm, F., Laird, I., Harris, A.-L., Hasle, P., 2010. Understanding the programme theories underlying national strategies to improve the working environment in small businesses. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety 8, 5-35. MacEachen, E., Kosny, A., Scott-Dixon, K., Facey, M., Chambers, L., Breslin, C., Kyle, N., Irvin, E., Mahood, Q., The Small Business Systematic Review Team, 2010. Workplace Health Understandings and Processes in Small Businesses: A Systematic Review of the Qualitative Literature. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. Pawson R., Tilley N. Realistic Evaluation. London: Sage Publications Ltd.; 1997. Pawson R. Evidence-based Policy. A Realist Perspective. London: Sage Publications Ltd.; 2006.

15. Thank you for your attention Contact information: Laura Kvorning The National Research Centre for the Working Environment lkv@nrcwe.dk