Chapter 8. Conclusion
Work-related information serves the labour force and the working society as a source of important data to improve production and the national economy. Systematic work-related research and an unbiased collection of data through extensive field investigation are very important, not only for an increase in production, but also for the need of decreasing accidents and injuries and protecting workers" health and the environment. It is therefore necessary to identify the correct measures to eliminate an eventual biasing effect. In the future, professionals, academicians, practitioners, NGOs and other organisations should carry out extensive field surveys instead of having to use the conventional methodology applied in the case studies.
The information complied and work-related data presented in this thesis, however, cover no more than a preliminary approach for SMEs towards the design of an ergonomic work environment. There may be more realistic alternatives from which an implementation of health and safety measures and workplace intervention can be made by future endeavours. The cost-effectiveness of implementing health, safety and ergonomic measures should be therefore evaluated through comparisons with other neighbouring or SAARC countries [www.saarc.org] because the cultural way of doing things, industrial economy and other local factors (exist in Bangladesh) dominate OHS/ergonomics measures differently. However the results in each case study realised that work-related data are the most important tool for industrial production and national economy.
Through determining such work-related exposures in SMEs, an assessment of job-tasks and work environment provides an opportunity to establish some reliable research findings that brings forth an interest in investments towards machinery, production process and technology. Further, work-related hazards need to be identified not only for health research and safety studies but also for appropriate workplace intervention. A work-related research needs well-defined materials (e.g., subjects, work culture, working climate, shift system), reliable methods of work-related field studies and an in-depth discussion of the results.
New ideas and methodology could be developed to carry out further field surveys aiming for the sustainable improvement of working conditions in Bangladesh. In this connection, an improved model is proposed below (Fig. 14) for implementation of OHS measures and ergonomics application in various workplaces. This is believed to be useful for general health and safety inspections in other industries and workplaces. It will also fulfil labour protection demands by implementing OHS measures and ergonomics application in the local context. This thesis likewise includes published and unpublished results involved in work-related data and information as a tool for action—which also presents a do-able agenda for workplace intervention in SMEs through multiple steps, as well as collaboration and co-operation from all the parties concerned.
A successful approach for controlling WRPs can be developed by joint initiatives of all concerned parties that intricately involves the worker, factory owners (FO) and employers association (EA) within each step of the process. The development of effective workplace interventions also depends on a better understanding of the FO’s roles and workers’ safety behaviour, their work culture, and of their attitudes of injury prevention and risk perception. Therefore, attitudinal change through workplace intervention is a necessity for any change in work methods and/or ergonomics application in DCS like Bangladesh.