Participatory management of occupational risks: Use of Participatory Ergonomics Groups (GEPs) in health surveillance

Introduction: Employee participation in occupational risk prevention activities is essential for effective risk control. “Bottom-up” techniques, which leverage the knowledge of workers, enhance the acceptability and sustainability of prevention and health promotion initiatives.
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Main Authors: Nicola MAGNAVITA, Igor MERAGLIA
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Edizioni FS Publisher 2025-03-01
Series:GIornale Italiano di Psicologia e Medicina del Lavoro
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Online Access:https://gipmel.it/wp-content/uploads/10.690882025PRTC8.pdf
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author Nicola MAGNAVITA
Igor MERAGLIA
author_facet Nicola MAGNAVITA
Igor MERAGLIA
author_sort Nicola MAGNAVITA
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Employee participation in occupational risk prevention activities is essential for effective risk control. “Bottom-up” techniques, which leverage the knowledge of workers, enhance the acceptability and sustainability of prevention and health promotion initiatives.
This paper discusses the use of Participatory Ergonomics Groups (GEPs), a technique developed by the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart more than 20 years ago, to improve occupational risk management. Methods: GEPs involve workers describing their work processes in the presence of the occupational doctor. When the reconstruction of the production flow reveals critical issues, workers are encouraged to propose and discuss potential solutions. The most cost-effective, simple, and widely accepted proposals are then recommended to the company. Results: GEPs have been applied to various problems, including occupational risk assessment, injury prevention, prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, and occupational stress management. Discussion: The doctor in charge of health surveillance can significantly enhance their activities by employing this simple yet powerful technique.
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spelling doaj-art-0b343bc933184ebf98bdc623ade0f4ac2025-08-20T03:28:04ZengEdizioni FS PublisherGIornale Italiano di Psicologia e Medicina del Lavoro2785-13382025-03-0151667610.69088/2025/PRTC8Participatory management of occupational risks: Use of Participatory Ergonomics Groups (GEPs) in health surveillanceNicola MAGNAVITA0Igor MERAGLIA1Post-graduate School of Occupational Health, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy. Email: nicolamagnavita@gmail.comPost-graduate School of Occupational Health, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, ItalyIntroduction: Employee participation in occupational risk prevention activities is essential for effective risk control. “Bottom-up” techniques, which leverage the knowledge of workers, enhance the acceptability and sustainability of prevention and health promotion initiatives.
This paper discusses the use of Participatory Ergonomics Groups (GEPs), a technique developed by the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart more than 20 years ago, to improve occupational risk management. Methods: GEPs involve workers describing their work processes in the presence of the occupational doctor. When the reconstruction of the production flow reveals critical issues, workers are encouraged to propose and discuss potential solutions. The most cost-effective, simple, and widely accepted proposals are then recommended to the company. Results: GEPs have been applied to various problems, including occupational risk assessment, injury prevention, prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, and occupational stress management. Discussion: The doctor in charge of health surveillance can significantly enhance their activities by employing this simple yet powerful technique.https://gipmel.it/wp-content/uploads/10.690882025PRTC8.pdffocus groupinjurypreventionmusculoskeletal disordershealth promotionrisk assessmentoccupational accidentpolicywork-related stressworkplace violence
spellingShingle Nicola MAGNAVITA
Igor MERAGLIA
Participatory management of occupational risks: Use of Participatory Ergonomics Groups (GEPs) in health surveillance
GIornale Italiano di Psicologia e Medicina del Lavoro
focus group
injury
prevention
musculoskeletal disorders
health promotion
risk assessment
occupational accident
policy
work-related stress
workplace violence
title Participatory management of occupational risks: Use of Participatory Ergonomics Groups (GEPs) in health surveillance
title_full Participatory management of occupational risks: Use of Participatory Ergonomics Groups (GEPs) in health surveillance
title_fullStr Participatory management of occupational risks: Use of Participatory Ergonomics Groups (GEPs) in health surveillance
title_full_unstemmed Participatory management of occupational risks: Use of Participatory Ergonomics Groups (GEPs) in health surveillance
title_short Participatory management of occupational risks: Use of Participatory Ergonomics Groups (GEPs) in health surveillance
title_sort participatory management of occupational risks use of participatory ergonomics groups geps in health surveillance
topic focus group
injury
prevention
musculoskeletal disorders
health promotion
risk assessment
occupational accident
policy
work-related stress
workplace violence
url https://gipmel.it/wp-content/uploads/10.690882025PRTC8.pdf
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