UNIT 07

In this concluding unit on occupational health and safety, we will understand the importance of participatory research in the field of occupational health and safety.

It becomes vital to apply the tenets of participatory research in the area of occupational health and safety, since it is a field that affects the workers. Involving them in the process of understanding and finding solutions for health hazards in the workplace, contributes to the empowerment of the worker. This arises from the understanding that the worker is, first and foremost, a human. This means that the employee must recognise basic human rights due to every worker.

After completing this Unit, you should be familiar with the following concepts and issues.

• What is participatory research?
• What does participatory research in occupational health mean?
• The various steps in the participatory research process.
• The role of safety circles, safety incentives and diagnostic camps.