O-155 MODEL DEVELOPMENT OF WORKPLACE HEALTH PROMOTION AND RISK REDUCTION FOR INFORMAL CERAMIC WORKERS

The informal ceramic workers are a group that is at risk because of an unsafe workplace. The objective of this participatory action research was to develop a workplace health promotion and risk reduction model for ceramic workers and to evaluate this model’s effects through the participation process. This study was conducted in 33 small ceramic factories in Lampang Province, Thailand. The model starts with studying the situation analysis, followed by participatory planning, designing, and solving problems between healthcare providers, workers, and workplace owners. All processes were supported by community leaders. Problem-solving was conducted by providing knowledge or capacity building for self-care through appropriate media, periodically reviewing and reflecting on problems that occur during the process of solving problems, and developing a working prototype that is ready to change behavior. Then, coordinate with the owner to improve the appropriate working environment and create a forum for exchanging knowledge. The result revealed altering participants’ working behavior and lifestyle patterns, ceramic workers exhibited the outcome of building a workplace health promotion and risk reduction model. Regarding working behavior, the average behavior score for wearing PPE and adhering safe work practices was considerably higher after implementation (p-values <.05). There were also statistically significant increases in the lifestyle patterns scores for stress management and physical activity/exercise (p values<.05). This research makes the obvious model to promote health and reduce the risk of working in a ceramic workforce. Methods and preventive measures may be applied to other small-scale enterprises.