Prevention of respiratory diseases: an action research in the service voucher sector.

Studies indicate an increased risk of work-related respiratory disorders in domestic cleaners. However, little is known about effective prevention of this problem. In this research we try to map the work-related respiratory health of domestic cleaners in the Belgian service voucher sector, to elaborate a preventive intervention and evaluate it. We also aim to gain insight into the perception of the employees of this problem and the factors at the level of the work organization influencing it. We use an 'action research' methodology, which aims for active participation of various actors in all phases of the research: employees, employers, representatives of the employees in the Committees for Prevention and Protection at Work, prevention advisors (including the occupational health physicians) and scientists.