Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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Enabling Effective Implementation of Occupational Safety and Health Interventions

  • Gaia Vitrano (Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano) ;
  • Davide Urso (Local Health Unit, ASL, ATS Insubria) ;
  • Guido J.L. Micheli (Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano) ;
  • Armando Guglielmi (Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work (INAIL)) ;
  • Diego De Merich (Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work (INAIL)) ;
  • Mauro Pellicci (Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work (INAIL))
  • Received : 2023.11.09
  • Accepted : 2024.04.16
  • Published : 2024.06.30
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Abstract

Background: The design, implementation, and evaluation are three important stages of occupational safety and health (OSH) interventions. Historically, there has been a tendency to prioritize implementation, often neglecting detailed design and rigorous outcome evaluation. Currently, much has changed, and contemporary approaches recognize the interdependence of these stages, considering them integral to the success of any intervention. This work presents a comprehensive procedure for implementing interventions, not only to ensure short-term effectiveness but also their long-term sustainability through continuous monitoring. The focus is on a national OSH project introducing a near-miss management system (NMS) in Italy. Methods: Initial meetings were convened among project partners, complemented by interviews with diverse stakeholders, to plan implementation steps and test the NMS. Tailored questionnaires were designed for diverse stakeholder groups - initial promoters, company managers and employers, and employees - facilitating targeted implementation, and three case studies were started in Italian regions to assess the structured implementation, involving intervention promoters and collaborating companies. Results: The primary outcome is the development of practical tools, specifically three questionnaires, which are considered valuable for establishing an effective human-centered implementation strategy, meticulously designed to facilitate ongoing monitoring of processes and continual enhancement of instruments intended for NMS integration within companies. Conclusions: This work lays the foundation for successful NMS implementation in Italy and, although the outlined procedure had specific objectives, it also provides valuable insights applicable in enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of interventions across diverse contexts. It underscores the importance of comprehensive planning, stakeholder engagement, and continuous evaluation in achieving lasting OSH interventions.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research is part of the HumanTech Project, which is financed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) for the 2023-2027 period as part of the ministerial initiative "Departments of Excellence" (L. 232/2016). The initiative rewards departments that stand out for the quality of the research produced and funds specific development projects.

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