Do dutch workers seek and find information on occupational safety and health?

Abstract

Although most workers have OSH questions, only 40% seek information or advice to answer their questions. Moreover, many OSH questions remain unanswered by common information facilities. This study provides input on how to develop campaigns and new facilities that may induce workers to seek information and that offer more applicable information.

Can Workers Answer Their Questions about Occupational Safety and Health: Challenges and Solutions

“…The sources and facilities belonging to this infrastructure offer workers easy access to the available high-quality information through the following: 1) information or knowledge products, such as fact sheets or practice guidelines provided by (virtual) libraries or highquality websites, 2) education and training provided by specialized OSH experts or by the workers' own company and 3) professional advice from occupational physicians or other occupational safety and health professionals 14,36,37) . There is some evidence that the internet and company OSH professionals are workers' most common sources of information 2,8,13,15) . Professionals are trained to solve complex OSH questions or issues.…”

“…In one of our own studies, Dutch workers' information seeking was particularly motivated by thoughts about the personal benefits or costs of solving the question, negative emotions that accompany the question (e.g., fear or anger) and encouragement by persons in the workers' social environment (e.g., a spouse, friend or colleague) 15) . More international studies are needed to further determine the factors that motivate or discourage workers in this respect.…”

“…Because health professionals require extensive training to formulate a specific question, it is likely that at least some workers will have difficulty generating good, answerable OSH questions. Moreover, workers mostly will not be familiar with the topic of their question or with the related medical and technical terminology 15,26,27) . As a result, they may need some support when formulating their OSH question.…”

“…To answer questions and make improvements in practice, workers seek and apply information or advice from OSH professionals, from education and training opportunities and from such sources as informational websites, fact sheets, books or practice guidelines 2,[13][14][15] . Several studies suggest that the information-seeking behaviour of workers, and the available information sources, frequently fail to produce answers to workers' OSH questions [1][2][3][4]15) . This seems often independent of the education level, sector, company size or question topic 2,15) .…”

“…Several studies suggest that the information-seeking behaviour of workers, and the available information sources, frequently fail to produce answers to workers' OSH questions [1][2][3][4]15) . This seems often independent of the education level, sector, company size or question topic 2,15) . Answering health questions is a difficult process that requires specific skills or health literacy and a well functioning knowledge infrastructure [16][17][18] .…”