Using self-determination theory to identify organizational interventions to support coal mineworkers' dust-reducing...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Mining Engineering
• Human Factors and Ergonomics

Background:

• Safety and Health (S&H) technologies are advancing in the mining industry.
• Effective translation of technology-generated information to the workforce is crucial for sustainable change.
• Continuous Personal Dust Monitors (CPDMs) offer real-time exposure data but don't guarantee its use for exposure reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To argue for an organizational focus on technology integration in mining using a case study approach.
• To investigate how Self-Determination Theory (SDT) can aid mines in managing and communicating CPDM data.
• To understand why mineworkers do or do not use CPDM data for dust-reducing practices.

Main Methods:

• A case study approach was employed at three mines.
• Thirty-five mineworkers participated in mixed-method data collection.
• Data analysis focused on understanding organizational improvements for technology integration via management systems.

Main Results:

• CPDM usage for reducing dust exposure sources aligns with mineworkers' personal health values.
• Motivation for using CPDM data is driven by self-values rather than solely by managerial compliance.
• Organizational management systems can be improved to better integrate technology like CPDMs.

Conclusions:

• Integrating technologies like CPDMs requires an organizational focus that supports workers' intrinsic motivations.
• Self-Determination Theory provides a framework for enhancing the effective use of exposure monitoring technologies.
• Sustainable changes in mining safety practices depend on aligning technology use with worker values and organizational systems.