O5
DRIVING STRATEGIC CHANGE TO REDUCE OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA IN THE MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR INDUSTRY: AN EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION
McIntyre1, K. Jones2, D. Towler3
1Interventions Design Team, Engagement and Policy Division – Health and Safety Executive, Glasgow, UK
2Team Lead Biological Monitoring, Science Division – Health and Safety Executive, Buxton, UK
3Technical Strategic Lead, Specialist Division – Health and Safety Executive, Leeds, UK
Background
Over the past year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has developed a comprehensive, evidence-based intervention aimed at reducing isocyanate exposure and associated risk of occupational asthma within the Motor Vehicle Repair (MVR) industry.
Aims
To implement a multi-faceted, three-year programme targeting both dutyholders and employee’s – focusing on behavioural change and sustainable compliance to address risk of occupational asthma.
Methods
Key components of the intervention include a national communication campaign leveraging social media resources, 1,000 plus frontline inspections in MVR’s, promoting the requirement for biological monitoring, collaborative work with industry to design out risk of harm, and extensive stakeholder engagement.
Results
Communication metrics, inspection findings and biological monitoring data will be presented to demonstrate the importance of triangulated data sources to evaluate health and safety intervention programmes.
Implication for policy or practice
Importance of designing and implementing interventions whilst sharing learning across disciplines to reinforce and expand the impact on risks to workers spraying isocyanates towards reducing occupational asthma rates.
