Strategies for an OSH Intervention in SMEs: An Exploratory Study Focused on the Role of Employer

Abstract

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are known to face several difficulties in what regards to Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) management. In these enterprises, the employer plays an important role, being the responsible for decision making in this area. OSH interventions that target employers are of particular interest; however, there is a knowledge gap about how to design such interventions. The present study aims to identify the key points to considerer in the design of an OSH intervention for SMEs employers. Issues related to what employers want in an intervention, key difficulties that they face in what regards to OSH management, and strategies to improve it were identified through an exploratory approach. A focus group with six OSH practitioners, with experience in risk management and with knowledge about the waste management sector was carried out. For the dynamization of the session, open-ended questions were developed to stimulate the discussion among the participants. The focus group was designed to identify the key topics to consider in a training program, including: knowledge limitations in the field of OSH; main risk factors of the sector; difficulties experienced by the employers in the field and what employers want or give more importance in a training program. Results denoted that employers of smaller waste management enterprises have a lot of peculiarities about a training session, specifically, duration, the method in which the information is presented, being in group with other employers or not, and the topics to discuss. It was highlighted the need to address issues related to legislation, the support from external service enterprises and the main risks of the sector.