How a health and safety management training program may improve the working environment in small- and medium-sized companies.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this controlled intervention study was to investigate the effects of a 2-year training program in health and safety (H&S) management for managers at small- and medium-sized companies.


METHODS
A total of 113 managers of motor vehicle repair garages participated in the training and another 113 garage managers served as a comparison group. The effects were measured using questionnaires sent before and after the intervention to the managers and blue-collar workers at the garages.


RESULTS
The intervention group managers reported significantly greater improvement of their H&S management system than the managers in the comparison group. The results also indicate that the management training positively affected how the workers regarded their supportive working environment.


CONCLUSIONS
H&S management training may positively affect measures at both garage and individual levels.
Torp
Steffen
S
Centre for Health Promotion in Settings, Faculty of Health Sciences, Vestfold University College, Tønsberg, Norway. steffen.torp@hive.no
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001336:Automobiles; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D016272:Occupational Health; D015279:Organizational Culture; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace