A Stage Specific Approach to Improving Occupational Health and Safety

Abstract

This paper explores the potential application of an influential model of health related behaviour (Prochaska and DiClemente's stage of change model) to interventions designed to improve occupational health and safety. According to the stage of change model, people progress through a series of stages when modifying their health related behaviour. The model also suggests that a person's stage of change determines their receptiveness to different forms of health education messages. Given the similarities between community health promotion and health and safety interventions in the workplace, this paper considers the possible applications of the model to occupational health and safety. It concludes that health and safety interventions which are matched to the recipient's stage of change will facilitate the implementation of safer working practices.

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