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Partnering with management to implement ergonomics in the industrial setting
1School of Occupational Therapy, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46227, USA. ldale@uindy.edu
Work (Reading, Mass.)
|March 9, 2004
Summary
Occupational therapists partnered with industry managers to create worker safety training. Effective safety training requires organizational support and integration into the company culture.
Area of Science:
- Occupational therapy
- Industrial safety
- Organizational behavior
Background:
- Collaboration between academia and industry is crucial for developing practical safety solutions.
- Occupational therapy's role in industrial safety training is an area requiring further exploration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the collaborative process between occupational therapy (OT) graduate students, faculty, and industrial managers.
- To outline the development of safety training materials for industrial workers through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative research study was conducted involving fieldwork experiences.
- Data collection methods included interviews, observations, analysis of key events and artifacts, and immersion within the industrial organization.
Main Results:
- Worker behavior change necessitates organizational-level influence, including managerial support and role modeling.
- The establishment of a safety committee and a visible OT presence within the organization were key factors.
Conclusions:
- Occupational therapists must act as partners with workers and managers in industrial safety training.
- Successful safety interventions require immersion in the organization's culture and alignment with managerial needs and values.