The discussions in the participatory process were usually
led by a group leader. After the discussions, the participants
generally agreed on how to solve the problems. For example,
after the ceramic workers in the Lampang province
acknowledged a lighting condition problem and heat
exposure, the group leader suggested that the heat exposure
should be solved before the lighting condition problem. After
the discussion, all participants agreed that the heat exposure
problem, due to the severity of the harm, more seriously
affected the workers than the lighting condition.
In future, the participatory process should be applied to
the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The participatory
process was initially designed for informal sector workers.
However, the participatory process might also be used to
improve the working conditions of formal-sector workers like
SMEs. In formal sector groups, safety regulations and safety
training are enforced by their administrators; therefore, the
workers who directly face the work related risks have limited
involvement in regulating safety practices. The participatory
process emphasizes the participation of everyone involved. As
a result, applying the participatory process could promote a
formal sector group’s realization, motivation, and
accountability in its safety implementation.
The findings of this study demonstrate that all steps of the
participatory process (capacity building, risk analysis,
problem prevention and solving, and monitoring and
communication) aim at promoting the worker’s capacity to self
development in safety aspects. As a result, the participatory
approach could be an effective approach in promoting safety
and consequently the health of the local informal sector
workers in Thailand by motivating these workers to voluntarily
engage in improving their own quality of life.