Working Group: Comprehensibility Testing in the Context of National GHS Implementation Strategies

1
Working Group Comprehensibility Testing in the
Context of National GHS Implementation Strategies
2
Lessons Learnt Country Report Backs

• Countries reporting CT Findings
• Nigeria, Zambia, Senegal, Thailand
• Zambia and Nigeria completed testing
• Senegal to start
• Thailand half completed

3
Different Approaches Employed by Pilot Countries
to CT

• Nigeria ? Train-the-trainer approach for
  implementing CT rapid CT module
• Zambia ? Comprehensive CT not rapid CT module
  questionnaire not based on GHS purple book
  symbols not decided by GHS at that time

4

• Senegal ? workshop approach to train-the
  trainers different interpretation of CT
• Thailand ? two-tiered approach in testing all
  sectors gt managers and workers (industry)
  teachers and grassroots gt (consumers)

5
Common Issues Resulting from Pilot Countries CT

• Misunderstanding of pictograms across all sectors
  
• higher educated, work experience, higher
  perception of risk and higher visual profile of
  pictogram (e.g., flame and skull/cross bones)
  resulted in correct understanding of GHS
  symbols
• - cultural interpretations of symbols (e.g.,
  Thailand chronic symbol spiritually
  uplifting Nigeria chronic symbol blood
  tonic)
• - Linkage between pictogram and hazard low

6
Common Issues Resulting from Pilot Countries CT

• Language barrier translation of CT into French
  and Thailand
• SDSs not available to end-users needs to be
  carried down value chain
• Colour of GHS pictograms not always correctly
  interpreted red color best
• Size pictograms need to be large sized on
  labels.

7
Future Role of CT

• Testing of additional pictograms developed by
  particular countries (context specific)
• Using a pre and post pilot testing approach ? pre
  would collect data prior to training and post
  would evaluate training

8
Future Role of CT

• CT should be used as a monitoring tool throughout
  the implementation process ? measure and monitor
  in terms of comprehension
• To incorporate CT in existing Safety, Health and
  Environment programs as a continuous training
  mechanism (e.g., workers must complete CT ever 2
  years)

9
Future Role of CT

• Simple tool for awareness that should not only be
  used for target populations in the 4 sectors, but
  also for GHS stakeholders
• Developed countries need to conduct CT to test
  the implementation process and be an example to
  developing countries

10
Future Role of CT

• Introduce CT into schools
• In developed countries test migrant workers,
  varying ethnic groups, refugees
• CT should incorporate transportation pictograms
• CT should test comprehension of color (e.g., as
  used in transport symbols)

11
Other Issues Raised

• Disposal of chemicals and containers needs to be
  on labels
• Use media groups to train (e.g., TV)
• Use billboards for awareness raising
• How to deal with the issue of consumer responses
  to hazard information (e.g., too many hazard
  symbols compliancy)