Knowledge and Experiences of Risks among Pupils in Vocational Education

Abstract

BackgroundYoung male and female workers are over-represented in statistics concerning negative outcomes of poor work environment and risky work. Young workers often have low awareness of risk, a lack of safety training, and inadequate introduction to the work. The aim of this study was to identify the knowledge and experiences of pupils of vocational schools concerning potential work environment risks in their future work.MethodsThe study design was a dual one, and included a questionnaire and focus group interviews. The study group consisted of 239 pupils from 10 upper secondary schools, who were graduating pupils in four vocational programs: the Industrial Technology Programme, the Restaurant Management and Food Programme, the Transport Programme, and the Handicraft Programme (in which students specialize in wood products). The upper secondary schools were located in the central region of Sweden.ResultsThe pupils had limited knowledge that employers must, by law, conduct risk analyses and prevent risks. Many felt that they themselves are mainly responsible for performing their tasks safely. Pupils in all programs mentioned acute risk as the greatest risk at work. The theoretical education about safety at work was provided in the 1st year of the 3-year vocational programs.ConclusionA systematic approach to pupils' training in work environment, which is a basis for a safe and healthy workplace, is lacking. The study findings indicate that pupils are offered knowledge far from that intended by laws and by state-of-the-art occupational health risk research.

Preventive behaviour at work of vocational students

“…Results also suggest participants report a higher frequency of adoption of behaviours related to the concern for physical and social environment in comparison with behaviours related to compliance with rules and procedures and with participation and initiatives related to prevention. These results are consistent with a prior study that found that vocational students consider prevention mostly as personal concrete actions related to working equipment (Andersson et al 2014) and with another study suggesting that social relations have an important effect on behaviours and attitudes toward prevention among young workers (Breslin et al 2007).…”

Young People’s Attitudes to Attractive Work, During and After Upper Secondary School

“…In the 2013 study, 'Knowledge and experiences of risks among pupils in vocational education', Andersson et al (2014), the researchers visited the schools, informed the pupils about the study, and asked them to complete a questionnaire with questions about their opinions of attractive work (baseline). Absent pupils received a letter with information about the study; in these cases, the teacher administrated the distribution of the questionnaire and sent the completed questionnaire back to the researchers by post.…”

The Evaluation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Implementation in Vocational High School Workshop, Surakarta

“…Another problem is that workers often do not want to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that has been provided for various reasons. Also, there are workers who are less understanding about OHS [1]. Most supervisors did not receive information from the schools as to what should be included when introducing OHS at workplace [2].…”

“…The questions in this study based on CIPP model background and concept evaluation (Context, Input, Process, Product) described as: (1) The following describes the instrument used in this study.…”