The Implementation of Preventive Health Measures in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises—A Combined Quantitative/Qualitative Study of Its Determinants from the Perspective of Enterprise Representatives
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design
2.2. Data Collection
2.2.1. Definition of Preventive Health Measures
2.2.2. Study Population Recruitment and Selection
2.2.3. Survey among Enterprise Representatives
2.2.4. Interviews
3. Results
3.1. Survey
3.1.1. Respondent Characteristics
3.1.2. Use of Preventive Health Measures in SMEs
3.1.3. MIDI Determinants of Implementation
3.2. Interviews
3.2.1. Respondent Characteristics
3.2.2. Determinants of Implementation
- (1)
- Available Resources: Both Finances and Staff
- (2)
- Complexity of Implementation of Measures
- (3)
- Awareness
- (4)
- Knowledge and Expertise
- (5)
- Availability of Time
- (6)
- Employer and Worker Commitment
- (7)
- Workers Openness for Measures
- (8)
- Communication
- (9)
- Workers’ Trust and Autonomy
- (10)
- Integration in Organizational Policy
4. Discussion
5. Strengths and Limitations
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Characteristic | Frequency (n = 79) |
---|---|
Enterprise size | |
Micro (workers ≤ 9) | 12 (15%) |
Small (10 ≤ workers ≤ 49) | 36 (46%) |
Medium (50 ≤ workers ≤ 99) | 13 (16%) |
Medium–large (100 ≤ workers ≤ 250) | 18 (23%) |
Sector | |
Cleaning sector | 8 (10%) |
Care | 14 (18%) |
Construction | 44 (56%) |
Transport sector | 13 (16%) |
Self-reported prevalence of risk factors (several answers possible) | |
Physical strain (lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling) | 68 (86%) |
High work demands | 45 (57%) |
Computer screen work | 31 (39%) |
Long-lasting (uncomfortable) working positions | 15 (19%) |
Irregular working hours | 13 (16%) |
Repetitive work | 10 (13%) |
Emotionally demanding work | 8 (10%) |
Aggression and violence | 3 (4%) |
Undesirable behavior (e.g., sexual harassment, bullying or discrimination) | 2 (3%) |
Name of the Preventive Health Measure | Frequency (n = 79) |
---|---|
Self-reported measures for musculoskeletal risk prevention (several answers possible) | |
Providing aids to make the work less physically demanding | 73 (92%) |
Rearranging the workplace to improve posture | 70 (89%) |
Organizing work differently (e.g., more variety in the work or better allocation of tasks) | 66 (84%) |
Instruction, training and supervision, e.g., about correct lifting techniques or posture | 64 (81%) |
Personal protective equipment (e.g., knee pads or protective clothing) | 52 (66%) |
Health promotion (e.g., sports/fitness subscription, lifestyle advice or other sports activities) | 23 (29%) |
Self-reported measures for psychosocial risk prevention (several answers possible) | |
Offering training, courses or guidance for personal development | 70 (89%) |
Making better agreements on the division of work | 68 (86%) |
Social activities to promote social coherence | 65 (82%) |
Adapting tasks to better suit workers’ competences and skills | 64 (81%) |
Deploying extra workers/helping out when it is busy | 64 (81%) |
Making better agreements about working hours | 58 (73%) |
Appointing a confidential advisor and help for workers who are bothered by undesirable behavior | 54 (68%) |
Agreements and instructions about undesirable behavior | 52 (66%) |
Health promotion (e.g., courses on dealing with stress, time management, relaxation or dealing with aggression and undesirable behavior) | 30 (38%) |
Organizing work differently for better protection against aggression and violence or other undesirable behavior | 18 (23%) |
Adapting the layout of workstations/buildings for better protection against aggression and violence or other undesirable behavior | 17 (22%) |
Self-reported general preventive measures (several answers possible) | |
Identifying risks with the risk inventory and evaluation tool (RI&E) | 76 (96%) |
Drawing up a Plan of Action based on the RI&E | 74 (94%) |
Availability of an Occupational Health Service (OHS) or occupational physician for advice on improving working conditions/health | 71 (90%) |
Offering workers a health check or employability check | 60 (76%) |
Appointing an employee who is (also) specifically concerned with improving working conditions (prevention officer) | 59 (75%) |
Employee satisfaction surveys or work pressure surveys | 37 (47%) |
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Benning, F.E.; van Oostrom, S.H.; van Nassau, F.; Schaap, R.; Anema, J.R.; Proper, K.I. The Implementation of Preventive Health Measures in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises—A Combined Quantitative/Qualitative Study of Its Determinants from the Perspective of Enterprise Representatives. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 3904. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073904
Benning FE, van Oostrom SH, van Nassau F, Schaap R, Anema JR, Proper KI. The Implementation of Preventive Health Measures in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises—A Combined Quantitative/Qualitative Study of Its Determinants from the Perspective of Enterprise Representatives. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(7):3904. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073904
Chicago/Turabian StyleBenning, Friederike E., Sandra H. van Oostrom, Femke van Nassau, Rosanne Schaap, Johannes R. Anema, and Karin I. Proper. 2022. "The Implementation of Preventive Health Measures in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises—A Combined Quantitative/Qualitative Study of Its Determinants from the Perspective of Enterprise Representatives" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 7: 3904. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073904