Participation as Precondition for Sustainable Success: Effective Workplace Improvement Procedures in Small-scale Sectors in Developing Countries

Based on recent experiences in developing countries in Asia, common features of effective action-oriented procedures for improving workplaces in small-scale sectors are examined. Experiences of partners of our Asian work improvement network are referred to. Simplified participatory procedures are commonly used to improve working conditions and environment in small and medium-sized enterprises, small construction sites, smallscale farms and home workplaces. These procedures have proven effective when they (a) build on local good practices for immediate changes, (b) focus on readily practicable improvements in multiple areas of basic ergonomics, including many low-cost solutions, and (c) take serial group work steps with the support of locally adjusted group work toolkits. Numerous workplace improvements have been achieved with the help of easy-toapply procedures and site-specific support. These procedures are facilitated by networks of local trainers. The international exchange of positive experiences in workplace improvement procedures adjusted to each local situation is particularly useful.