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Abstract
As the employment landscape continues to shift to a post industrial society, new risks have emerged for less skilled young workers in flexible labour markets (Mills 2004; Taylor-Gooby 2004). This is highlighted in the fast food industry, renowned for its employment conditions such as low pay, irregular work hours and part-time work (Reiter 2002; Royle 2002). A threat to young, part-time workers that has received limited attention is occupational health and safety (OHS). While several researchers suggest poorer OHS for young employees (Knight et al. 1995; Dunn et al. 1998; Hendricks & Layne 1999) and some types of precarious or temporary workers (Alsop et al. 2000; Quinlan et al. 2001; Benach et al. 2002), few have examined both.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of individual, task and organisational factors on OHS knowledge and hazard exposure. The study adopted a mixed method research approach using multiple case studies based on questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews. This permitted examination of the OHS knowledge and hazard exposure of 311 young, part-time workers who worked for a multinational fast food company in the UK and Canada. A modified survey instrument from a similar study of young, casual fast food workers in Australia (NOHSC 1999) was used. The instrument consisted of open and closed questions, and included the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to measure psychological wellbeing. Franchise and company-employed workers participated in the survey.
The key finding in the research was that, after controlling for all other independent variables, work experience and age did not significantly contribute to any of the OHS outcomes regarding injury or ill health (injuries, occupational violence, and psychological wellbeing) within the industry. The major predictor of OHS knowledge was weekly hours worked, although the direction of the results was mixed. The research highlighted the importance of considering multiple risk factors when evaluating OHS outcomes of young workers, especially those in precarious employment arrangements such as part-time work.