Breakthrough change: understanding why and how workplaces make large improvements in OHS performance

Reasons for the study

We need to better understand the processes and critical factors involved in “breakthrough change” (i.e. large and intentional reductions in workplaces’ rates of injuries) in order to improve occupational health and safety (OHS) performance. Past research on change in the workplace has typically evaluated the effectiveness of narrowly defined interventions—and usually found small or no changes. In this study, three interrelated “breakthrough change” projects focused on rare occurrences of especially large OHS improvement over a decade-long period, and sought to understand the hows and whys behind this improvement.

Objectives of the study