The role of the human factor in occupational safety and health performance

Objectives. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of managers’ commitment to occupational safety and health (OSH) on employees’ safety awareness and competency, employees’ involvement, reporting culture and OSH performance; the effect of employees’ involvement in OSH on safety awareness and competency, reporting culture and OSH performance; and the mediating role of employees’ involvement in the effect of managers’ commitment to OSH on OSH performance. Methods. The study population consisted of 600 people working in a private company and the sample consisted of 533 employees agreeing to participate in the survey. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results. The analysis results showed that managers’ commitment to OSH had no significant effect on OSH performance but a significant positive effect on employees’ safety awareness and competency, employees’ involvement in OSH and reporting culture. Although managers’ commitment to OSH alone had no significant effect on OSH performance, it had a significant effect on OSH performance when employees’ involvement was used as a mediating variable. Conclusion. OSH should not be considered only as a technical matter. It is recommended that arrangements should be made to improve OSH considering the human factors involved in OSH.