An Exploratory, Qualitative Study of How Organizations Implement the Hierarchy of Controls Applied to Total Worker Health®

Hudson, Heidi L.; Schill, Anita L.; Richards, Reid

doi:10.3390/ijerph181910032

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An Exploratory, Qualitative Study of How Organizations Implement the Hierarchy of Controls Applied to Total Worker Health^®

Heidi L. Hudson

^1,*,

Anita L. Schill

² and

Reid Richards

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1150 Tusculum Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 395 E St. SW, Washington, DC 20201, USA

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, 8 Corporate Blvd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Academic Editor: Paul B. Tchounwou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10032; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910032

Received: 23 August 2021 / Revised: 17 September 2021 / Accepted: 18 September 2021 / Published: 24 September 2021

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Worker Safety, Health, and Well-Being in the USA)

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Abstract

Understanding of how Total Worker Health^® (TWH) guidelines are implemented in employment organizations in the USA is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to explore how the principles of the Hierarchy of Controls Applied to NIOSH Total Worker Health (TWH HoC), have been implemented among organizations featured as Promising Practices for TWH between 2012–2019, with special focus on the work-related issues of fatigue, stress, sedentary work, and tobacco control. We also sought to identify benefits, obstacles, and lessons learned in the implementation of the TWH HoC. Eighteen organizations were identified to be included in the study. Using a qualitative cross-sectional design and purposive sampling, seven in-depth interviews were conducted with thirteen key informants. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used to guide the thematic analysis and interpretation of qualitative data. Four themes identified include recognition of the TWH approach and TWH HoC, implementation of the TWH HoC, barriers and facilitators in addressing specific work-related issues, and implementation climate primes benefits, obstacles, and lessons learned. The inner setting (i.e., culture, implementation climate, readiness for implementation) of organizations was a prominent determinant of the implementation of integrated worker safety, health, and well-being interventions. View Full-Text

Keywords: Total Worker Health; hierarchy of controls; qualitative study; workplace safety; implementation science; future of work; occupational safety and health

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MDPI and ACS Style

Hudson, H.L.; Schill, A.L.; Richards, R. An Exploratory, Qualitative Study of How Organizations Implement the Hierarchy of Controls Applied to Total Worker Health^®. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 10032. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910032

AMA Style

Hudson HL, Schill AL, Richards R. An Exploratory, Qualitative Study of How Organizations Implement the Hierarchy of Controls Applied to Total Worker Health^®. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(19):10032. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910032

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hudson, Heidi L., Anita L. Schill, and Reid Richards. 2021. "An Exploratory, Qualitative Study of How Organizations Implement the Hierarchy of Controls Applied to Total Worker Health^®" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 19: 10032. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910032

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An Exploratory, Qualitative Study of How Organizations Implement the Hierarchy of Controls Applied to Total Worker Health^®

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