Advancement and extension of alternative Supervision - Model "alternative, demand-based Supervision plus" - research, develeopment, trial and evaluation

Status:

completed 06/2023

Aims:

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) supervision for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) relating to the Occupational Safety Act is a challenge in terms of quality and the effects achieved. The alternative, demand-based supervision according to Annex 3 DGUV Regulation 2 is an effective supervision model under certain quality criteria. However, this is limited to companies with up to 30 or 50 employees and only includes the cooperating Employer. Other quality criteria are not implemented in the same way for all alternative, demand-based supervision models. The aim of an extended model "Alternative, demand-based Supervision Plus" (aB+) is to expand the model of alternative, demand-based supervision with the involvement of managers in a quality-assured manner and to enable efficient, demand-based OSH support for the continuous improvement of OSH activities in the company. In particular, the aB+ model uses the elements from alternative, demand-based supervision that make a qualitative difference in the quality of the models, such as effective qualification measures and the direct involvement of Statutory Accident Insurance (UVT) in support management. The aim of this research and development (R&D) project was to gain knowledge and practical experience on the feasibility and effectiveness of the model and the individual model elements.

Activities/Methods:

The model was to be designed and tested in cooperation with participating Statutory Accident Insurances, accompanied by a formative process evaluation and ex-post evaluation of effectiveness. The development and testing were carried out at and in cooperation with 5 Statutory Accident Insurances: German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Raw Materials and Chemical Industry (BG RCI), German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Trade and Logistics Industry (BGHW), German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Administrative Sector (VBG), German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Public Sector in Hesse (UKH) and German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Public Sector in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg (UK Nord). A feasibility study was only available for BG RCI at the beginning of the project. Insurance-specific instruments and procedures were developed and selected prevention staff were qualified for the acquisition of companies and their support management. The Corona pandemic made it more difficult to acquire companies. A total of 19 companies were recruited to participate in the testing of the model. The early withdrawal of VBG from the project and the later entry of UK Nord made it possible to adapt the model to the conditions of the public sector within the framework of a corona-related project extension. The managers of the acquired companies took part in an innovative qualification for the development of leadership action in a follow-up concept with practical phases. For this purpose, a blended learning concept was developed in 6 learning and practical phases, which was expanded to a hybrid and a pure online concept due to the corona pandemic and the public sector modification. A total of 56 managers took part in 5 courses, 27 of whom completed the qualification. At the same time or subsequently, a needs assessment with target agreement was initiated by the support management in the companies. If necessary, the support management has provided experts for the achievement of goals. The achievement of objectives was observed and determined by monitoring by the support management. Needs assessments and target agreements were carried out in 8 companies, 4 of which were able to achieve the goals in the course of the project.

Results:

The evaluation results show a high effectiveness of the model for OSH supervision for SMEs, also including additional professions. The model significantly improves OSH-integrated leadership. The participating companies welcome the continuous external support management by the UVT. The model enables quality assurance of OSH support at a high level, especially in companies that have gone through all elements of the model. However, individual elements, such as management qualification, can also be implemented separate from the overall model. The findings of the project also provide important impetus for the further development of DGUV Regulation 2 on more effective SME supervision.

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