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Document ID (ISN)78415
CIS number 02-609
ISSN - Serial title 0815-6409 - Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand
Year 2001
Convention or series no.
Author(s) O'Connell L., Firth H., McBride D.
Title Occupational health and safety in small businesses
Bibliographic information Oct. 2001, Vol.17, No.5, p.509-513. 16 ref.
Abstract A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of owners and managers of small businesses with one to five employees in South Dunedin, New Zealand was undertaken with the aim of describing their OHS practices. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. The response rate was 66% of the 77 businesses identified. Awareness of the relevant legislation was high, but 45% of respondents believed that they had insufficient knowledge and understanding for successful compliance. Compliance with hazard identification and control was high, but only 65% kept an accident register. The annual rate for injuries requiring health intervention was 39/1,000. Agencies other than the enforcing agency could be utilized more extensively for conveying information and advice. Also, work-related injury data collected centrally should include firm size so that a better understanding of risk in small businesses can be determined.
Descriptors (primary) small enterprises; plant safety and health organization; New Zealand
Descriptors (secondary) occupational accidents; information processing and retrieval; public OSH institutions; questionnaire survey; frequency rates; risk factors; safety service records; role of labour inspection; cross-sectional study
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceNew Zealand
Subject(s) Generalities
Broad subject area(s) General safety, health and conditions of work
Browse category(ies) Small and medium-sized enterprises