Although occupational safety and health risk are still major causes of decrease of health, well-being and employability of employees, these risks are not dealt with enough by employers and employees. This can be explained by unawareness of the risks and consequences, and lack of insight in the possible interventions and trust in own abilities to implement interventions. Culture in companies often hinders to talk about sensitive topics such as safety behavior and work related stress.
The characteristics of a serious game (e.g. experience consequences of own actions on short and long turn) suggest that a serious game could be a useful training tool to raise awareness and behavior and eventually help employers and employees to effectively implement practical solutions in their own department. The first results of a project with a serious game for managing work related stress and engagement (Engagementgame) are promising. These results give cause to a new research project in which we are examining the effectiveness of serious gaming for other occupational health and safety risks.
Contact person: Dr.Ir. Erik Tielemans, erik.tielemans@tno.nl
More information about the Engagementgame:
http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/ewco/2012/08/NL1208019I.htm
