Nineteenth International Conference on Knowledge, Culture, and Change in Organizations

Abstract

Behavioral modification is an inseparable part of a comprehensive accident prevention strategy in a work place. This study reports a behavior modification approach applied to evaluate the effectiveness of an occupational safety training educational intervention on industrial textile workers in Borojerd, IRIran. This study is a quasi-experimental Solomon 4-Group design participatory study, which is conducted as a pretest-post-test intervention. Totally, 85 workers of a participated Textile Factory agreed to participate in this study. Through a participatory approach (e.g., involvement of academia, researchers, key-informants, and community) study questionnaires and behavior observation checklists were developed exclusively for this study. To obtain the required substantial data for the intervention planning, we utilized the findings resulted from application of four phases of precede-proceed model. Indeed, we applied a combination concept of Precede-Proceed Model and Theory of Planned Behavior in planning and implementing the educational interventions. Our intervention program consisted of training, assigned goal setting, daily verbal promotion, and graphic feedback that were provided to the participants four times a week. The mean scores on knowledge and safety practices showed significant improvements among all four groups in one month and three months post intervention; with groups one and two show the highest improvement. In addition, safety practices improved significantly among all participants after participation in this educational intervention. Our findings revealed the applicability of the combined models on safety practices and knowledge on the safety issues in workplace. Our study acknowledges the idea of applying, an occupational safety training intervention program for industrial textile workers and implementing health education intervention to promote safety practices. The percentage of unsafe practices declined dramatically when the program was implemented. In conclusion, appropriately developed educational intervention program through a participatory approach can lead to improved safety practices among workers in this study over time. The findings can be applied to similar group of workers in other relevant industries.