Assessment of Occupational Safety Practices and Workplace Risk Awareness Among Industrial Workers

Abstract

Occupational safety is critical in industrial workplaces where workers can be subjected to mechanical, chemical, electrical, ergonomic and environmental hazards. This paper has evaluated the level of risk awareness and occupational safety behavior among the industrial workers and how they are associated with formal safety training. The study was a quantitative cross-sectional survey with 80 industrial workers using a structured questionnaire consisting of five demographic items and 25 Likert-scale statements. The tool evaluated awareness about workplace risks, PPE and safety, safety training and emergency preparedness, safety compliance and hazard reporting, and organizational safety support. Analysis of data was done by frequency, percentage, mean, SD, chi-square test, correlation and regression. The risk awareness and general occupational safety practices at the workplace were on the high level, the organization safety support and training-related dimensions were on the moderate level. Occupational safety-practice level was highly related to formal safety training (2 = 5.98, p = 0.014). Occupational safety practices had a significant positive relationship with risk awareness at work (r = 0.598, p < 0.001). Regression analysis established that risk awareness was a significant predictor of safety practices, and was able to explain 35.8% of the variation in safety-practice scores. The safety awareness and practice of industrial workers were positive, yet organizational support and training was possible to reinforce. Occupational safety performance can be further improved by regular occupational safety training, good supervision, better provision of PPE, and better communication on safety.