KBAM: A Knowledge Infrastructure to support Health and Safety Management
I believe that health and safety professionals should make use of scientific and empirical evidence to support their decisions pertaining to policy and practice with regards to the management of health and safety since it is such a critical topic, and of utmost importance of course. Albeit some progress has been made with respect to evidence-based decision making, improving and extending the facilities that support and foster knowledge translation in practice is still challenging. A knowledge infrastructure complimenting health and safety at the workplace should entail scientific support in the form of evidence, strategic reviews, and policy and practice guidelines. In addition, it should also include other tools for professionals and employees, such as accessible virtual libraries and database supporting the provision of knowledge, informative learning materials, and quality tools. A thoroughly organised knowledge infrastructure connects facilities management with practice, as well as each other. Adequate education and training is required for health and safety professionals in using evidence for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of health and safety management. Moreover, health and safety management can also benefit from intensive international collaboration to develop and promote a well organised and functioning knowledge infrastructure.