Background Occupational scientists agree there are hazards associated with
dry-cleaning, but no dry-cleaning owners and workers concur? Knowledge of o
wners' and workers' perceptions can help guide intervention efforts to redu
ce worker exposure. To better understand these issues, a qualitative study
was conducted using focus group methodology and constant comparative analys
is.
Methods Two owner and four worker focus groups were held.
Results Findings suggest that overall, health and safety issues were not of
great concern. Owners were primarily concerned with the economic impact of
regulations. Workers did express some anxiety about solvent exposure and b
urns, but most felt that these hazards were "just part of the job. "Also, o
ther than the installation of air-conditioning in the shops and the provisi
on of health benefits, workers could not think of ways health and safety on
the job could be improved.
Conclusions These findings will be used to develop comprehensive safety and
health interventions (e.g., engineering plus education and training) in dr
y-cleaning shops. Am. J. Ind. Med. 35:112-123, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley-L
iss, Inc.dagger