Introduction There are several small enterprises in Peru that provide services to mining, construction and oil companies which increase the probability of accidents and diseases. Interventions to educate and train workers in prevention, especially participatory programs for occupational risk reduction, are becoming very important in small workplaces in developing countries like Peru, where there is a significant work population which is underserved and includes people with some issues such as low-literacy and limited professional academic training.

Objective The purpose of the present study was to describe the implementation of teaching interventions and its progressive improvement during 3 years in a small metal mechanic company in Peru and to show its impact in the prevention culture.

Methods The unit of this case report study was the indicators of teaching interventions as number of participants, professions, time working in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), education methods used and a survey at the end of intervention. Besides, the impact of the intervention on the frequency of accidents and illnesses in workers, on absenteeism and on labor inspections was analyzed. The instrument used was a data collection sheet.

Results During 3 years, the teaching interventions implemented were case discussions, role games and performance-feedback. The frequency of accidents was reduced by 22%. Absenteeism was reduced by 33%.

Conclusion Teaching interventions had goods results in prevention culture by reducing accidents and absenteeism in this small metal mechanic company. It is necessary to implement studies for assessing the effect of teaching interventions in OHS in other small enterprises in developing countries.