This report presents the results of the survey conducted to determine the impact of the BOSH course on its participants, specifically in terms of the extent to which they applied the knowledge and practices they gained from the training program to improve safety and health conditions in their own companies or organizations.  It also aims to determine facilitating and hindering factors which affects the extent of application of such learnings.

Eight-four (84) out of the total seven hundred and twenty-six (726) participants comprise the survey sample, representing a retrieval rate of almost 12%.  The participants were sent by mail, a self-administered questionnaire in three batches- from October 2000 to January 2001.  Data gathering and follow-ups were made until July 2001.  Data processing and analysis followed thereafter.

Aside from getting the general patterns in the respondents’ assessment of the training and its impact, the data analysis also assessed whether the extent of the application of the BOSH learnings differed according to the respondents’ job position, the department they belong to, and their rating of the success of the BOSH training course.

The findings revealed that the BOSH course was generally well-received by the respondents.  There was greater application of the BOSH inputs in the areas of occupational safety and OSHE administration/ management.  Utilization was lower in industrial health and work environment management concerns.  Success of application was due to strong support superiors and co-workers while a major hindering factor was the priority placed by the participants’ organizations to areas other than OSH.

The respondents’ job position was not a significant determining factor in the extent of application of the BOSH learnings.  On the other hand, , the department they belong to exhibited a strong association with the extent to which they applied the BOSH inputs.  Specifically, respondents belonging to government/ regulatory departments reported higher utilization than respondents from the other departments.  Likewise, the rating of the success of the BOSH course was significantly associated with the application of the BOSH inputs.  Respondents who gave the training course higher rating were also more likely to make use of the BOSH inputs in their own work settings.

Several recommendations for further strengthening the BOSH course as articulated  by the respondents themselves and emanating from the findings include the following:  “customizing” the BOSH courses for particular companies or sectors; extending the duration of the training; conduct of follow-up courses; and creation of mechanisms for continued networking between OSHC and previous training participants, as well as among the training participants themselves.

It is also recommended that an in-depth review of the BOSH course be made to strengthen areas where the participants indicated less application of learnings.  On the other hand, follow-up focused interviews with respondents and a control group should be immediately made for in-depth determination of company conditions which either hindered or facilitated the extent of application of learnings by the participants.