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For the prevention of Musculoskeletal disorders, we applied 6 times of Participatory Action Oriented Training (PAOT) program in a agricultural machine manufacturing company with 139 workers since 2005. Especially to facilitate voluntary participation and changing their roles as facilitators not instructors, a mini “Training of Trainers (TOT)” program was also introduced for the mid- level managers in 7th Dec., 2006.
Methods
Since 25th November, we conducted 6 times of PAOT workshops, Korean application of WISE program. This is a training method of brainstorming, which stimulates participants to seek their own solutions actively.12-15 participants took part in each workshop which include action checklist exercise and 4 technical sessions ; Material storage and handling, Work station design and machine safety, Physical environment and environmental protection, Welfare facilities and work organization. In the last ‘Implementation of improvement’ session, they drew up action plans for improvement of their own work places and had presentation by each group. We followed up the implementation of improvements they made themselves. Especially in a mini TOT program, participants themselves collect good examples and renewed the previous training kits and had presentations by themselves. In June, 2011, we conducted a survey for the evaluation of their attitude change on occupational health and safety.
Results
Through this PAOT program, participants themselves worked out overall 179 real action plans. We had follow-up visits within 3 to 6 months after the workshops. We confirmed that 79 plans (44.1%) have been completed. We will show workers’ attitude changes on occupational health and safety.
Discussion
It is assured that the PAOT program holds strong potentials as an intervention method to improve working condition and occupational safety and health in small- or medium-sized enterprises although it has not been fully assessed yet.