Harvey H D, Fleming P, Cregan K, Latimer E
Environmental Health Protection and Safety Centre, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, BT37 OQB, UK.
Int J Environ Health Res. 2000 Dec;10(4):315-29. doi: 10.1080/0960312002001519.
Selected aspects of the efficacy of printed leaflets produced by a government health and safety agency and widely distributed by the enforcement bodies and other organisations to promote workplace health and safety are examined. It is based on a study of 30 small or medium-sized enterprises and examines the views of 120 employers and employees regarding the availability, attractiveness, relevance and usefulness of the leaflets and estimates the reader comprehension and readability of the selected leaflets. The results indicate that the selected leaflets are considered acceptable and comprehensible by the majority of respondents. As these are typical of the leaflets available in the health and safety field this is a positive outcome. The discussion focuses around the ability of the leaflets to engage and to inform and suggestions are made to encourage a wider debate on the criteria which contribute to these two aspects of leaflet use. It is contended that leaflets will continue to be important in the attempts of those involved in workplace health and safety to facilitate learning and to contribute to the overall process of behaviour change. This study raises a number of key issues regarding the future design and use of such leaflets.
