Factors associated with unsafe work behaviours in an Iranian petrochemical company: perspectives of workers, supervisors, and safety managers

Religious Belief and Workplace Safety Behavior Among the Informal Automobile Workers in Nigeria

It is well known that informal workers in developing countries are exposed to occupational health problems (OHPs), and they work unsafely. However, little is known about how their religious beliefs influence their safety behavior at the workplace. This study explores the interaction between the automobile artisans' religious beliefs and their workplace safety behavior. Forty three male artisans (either Christian: n = 17; or Muslim: n = 26) were purposively interviewed. Even though their religious teachings are against risk-taking, the artisans took risks at their workplace. Specific programs like seminars and various outreaches for workers in religious settings influence their perception of OHP prevention. Religious organizations have a role to play in OHP prevention.

Identifying and preventing human error in the sugar production process: A multi-stage approach using HTA, HEC and PHEA techniques

This article discusses the importance of identifying and preventing human error in industrial environments, specifically in the sugar production process. The article emphasizes the importance of choosing the right technique for risk assessment studies resulting from human errors. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a multi-stage approach - Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA), Human Error Calculator (HEC), and Predictive Human Error Analysis (PHEA) - to identify potential human errors in the sugar production process. The HTA, HEC, and PHEA techniques were employed to evaluate each stage of the process for potential human errors. The results of the HTA technique identified 35 tasks and 83 sub-tasks in 14 units of the sugar production process. According to HEC technique 4 tasks with 80 % probability of human error and 2 tasks with 50 % probability of human error had the highest calculated error probabilities. The factors of individual skill, task repetition and importance were the most important factors of human error in the present study. The analysis of PHEA worksheets showed that the number of human errors identified in the tasks with highest probability were 8 errors, of which 50 % were action errors, 25 % checking errors, 13 % selection errors, and 12 % retrieval errors. To mitigate the consequences of human error, it was recommended training courses, raising operator awareness of error consequences, and installing instructions in the sugar production process. Based on the findings, the article concludes that the HEC and PHEA techniques are applicable and effective in identifying and analyzing human errors in process and food industries.

Assessing unsafe behaviors and their relationship with work-related factors among EMS staff in Iran: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff often encounter various safety incidents. Work-related factors can lead to unsafe behaviors and safety incidents. This study assessed unsafe behaviors and their relationship with work-related factors among EMS staff.

METHODS

This descriptive-correlational study used census sampling method to select 284 EMS staff in Ardabil Province, northwest of Iran, from April to June 2023. The data collection tools were demographic and occupational information form, Mearns Unsafe Behavior Scale, Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, Michielsen Fatigue Scale, and Patterson Teamwork Scale. The data were analyzed using the SPSSv-16, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

The mean of unsafe behavior, fatigue, perceived stress, non-conflict of teamwork, and conflict of teamwork were 15.80 (± 4.77), 20.57 (± 6.20), 16.10 (± 6.13), 117.89 (± 17.24), and 40.60 (± 9.59), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that "partner trust and shared mental models (PTSMM)," "physical fatigue," "age," "type of shift," "employment status," and "overtime hours per month" were predictors of general unsafe behavior (P < 0.001) and "mild task conflict (MTC)," "employment status," "partner trust and shared mental models (PTSMM)" were predictors of unsafe behavior under incentives EMS staff (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that some work-related factors were predictors of unsafe behaviors. The negative consequences of unsafe behaviors should be considered, and long-term planning should be done to reduce them. Developing specific guidelines for addressing unsafe behaviors, implementing measures to reduce fatigue, managing overtime hours in the workplace, and Establishing a system where novice staff work with experienced staff during their first year can be beneficial in reducing these behaviors among EMS staff.

An interpretable clustering approach to safety climate analysis: Examining driver group distinctions

The transportation industry, particularly the trucking sector, is prone to workplace accidents and fatalities. Accidents involving large trucks accounted for a considerable percentage of overall traffic fatalities. Recognizing the crucial role of safety climate in accident prevention, researchers have sought to understand its factors and measure its impact within organizations. While existing data-driven safety climate studies have made remarkable progress, clustering employees based on their safety climate perception is innovative and has not been extensively utilized in research. Identifying clusters of drivers based on their safety climate perception allows the organization to profile its workforce and devise more impactful interventions. The lack of utilizing the clustering approach could be due to difficulties interpreting or explaining the factors influencing employees' cluster membership. Moreover, existing safety-related studies did not compare multiple clustering algorithms, resulting in potential bias. To address these problems, this study introduces an interpretable clustering approach for safety climate analysis. This study compares five algorithms for clustering truck drivers based on their safety climate perceptions. It also proposes a novel method for quantitatively evaluating partial dependence plots (QPDP). Then, to better interpret the clustering results, this study introduces different interpretable machine learning measures (Shapley additive explanations, permutation feature importance, and QPDP). The Python code used in this study is available at https://github.com/NUS-DBE/truck-driver-safety-climate. This study explains the clusters based on the importance of different safety climate factors. Drawing on data collected from more than 7,000 American truck drivers, this study significantly contributes to the scientific literature. It highlights the critical role of supervisory care promotion in distinguishing various driver groups. Moreover, it showcases the advantages of employing machine learning techniques, such as cluster analysis, to enrich the scientific knowledge in this field. Future studies could involve experimental methods to assess strategies for enhancing supervisory care promotion, as well as integrating deep learning clustering techniques with safety climate evaluation.

The relationship between perceived management commitment to safety, psychological empowerment, and safety performance among emergency nurses in Jordan

PURPOSE

Nurses are susceptible to unfavorable effects of workplace accidents and injuries, therefore, perceived management commitment to safety and psychological empowerment can help nurses to participate in safety measures and adhere to safety performance. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived management commitment to safety, psychological empowerment, and safety performance among emergency nurses in Jordan.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was used and 306 registered nurses working in the emergency department in Jordanian governmental hospitals were recruited. A self-structured questionnaire consisting of the perceived management commitment to safety scale, psychological empowerment scale, and safety performance scale was used to collect data during the period from July 2022 to August 2022.

RESULTS

The findings demonstrated that the levels of study variables revealed as follows: the perceived management commitment to safety mean was 3.1 (SD = 0.66) out of 5, which indicated an acceptable level, the mean score of psychological empowerment was 5.37 (SD = 0.94) out of 7, which reflected that the nurses perceived the work environment to be psychologically empowered, and the mean score for safety performance was 4.02 (SD = 0.56) out of 5, which indicated an acceptable level of safety performance among the participants, and the mean for subscales (safety compliance and participation) was 4.07 (SD = 0.57) and 3.93 (SD = 0.69) out of 5, respectively. Also, there was a positive correlation between safety performance and perceived management commitment to safety (r = 0.334, p < 0.001), and psychological empowerment (r = 0.592, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to implement continuous interventions centered on empowering emergency nurses psychologically, which has a positive effect on safety performance. Given management's commitment to safety as a priority topic of discussion at group meetings creating a work environment that encourages nurses' safety performance should be encouraged.

Influence of communication determinants on safety commitment in a high-risk workplace: a systematic literature review of four communication dimensions

Health, safety, and environment (HSE) are critical aspects of any industry, particularly in high-risk environments, such as the oil and gas industry. Continuous accident reports indicate the requirement for the effective implementation of safety rules, regulations, and practices. This systematic literature review examines the relationship between safety communication and safety commitment in high-risk workplaces, specifically focusing on the oil and gas industry. The review comprises 1,439 articles from 2004 to 2023, retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases following the PRISMA comprehensive guidelines. This study considers safety communication, communication climate, and communication satisfaction to evaluate their influence on safety commitment under occupational health and safety. This study identifies safety commitment issues and their underlying factors, discussing measures for preventing and reducing accidents and incidents and highlighting preventive measures for future research. It also signifies the variables influencing accident and incident rates. The research underscores the importance of communication dimensions and the need for workers to possess adequate skills, knowledge, and attitudes regarding occupational safety and health procedures. Moreover, the study contributes to the industrial and academic domains by improving organizational safety commitment, promoting a safety culture, and developing effective communication strategies. Furthermore, practitioners may benefit from this comprehensive overview in developing, evaluating, and enhancing occupational safety.

Analysis of Mining-Related Injuries in Chinese Coal Mines and Related Risk Factors: A Statistical Research Study Based on a Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives: Coal mine injuries commonly occur, affecting both the safety and health of miners, and the normal operation of the coal mine. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the regularity of injury and injury-related risk factors in coal mines in China so as to establish a scientific basis for reducing the incidence and promoting the prevention and control of injuries. Methods: A meta-analysis of casualty cases and injury-related risk factors from 1956 to 2017 in China was conducted utilizing data from six databases, including CNKI, Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Wanfang data. Summary estimates were obtained using random effects models. Results: There were statistically significant variations in coal mine accident types, types of work, injury sites, age, experience, months, and shifts (p < 0.001). Eight types of accidents were susceptible to the risk of injury, and the greatest risk was presented by roof-related accidents (odds ratio (OR) = 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.32−0.6). Coal miners and drillers were at a greater risk of injury (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.35−0.44; OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.17−0.26, respectively). The extremities and the soft tissues of the skin were at the greatest risk of injury (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.3−0.58; OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.1−0.48, respectively). Compared with other ages, miners aged 21−30 were at a greater risk of injury (21−30 years, OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.42−0.47; 31−40 years, OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.25−0.32; <20 years, OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.03−0.23; >40 years, OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.09−0.25). Compared with other miners, those with 6−10 years of experience were at a greater risk of injury (6−10 years, OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.25−0.32; 2−5 years, OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.25−0.41; <1 year, OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.08−0.33; >11 years, OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.17−0.27). During the months of July to September, the risk of injury was elevated (7−9th months, OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.25−0.39; 10−12th months, OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.16−0.31; 1st−3rd months, OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.16−0.28; 4−6th months, OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.16−0.27). In the three-shift work system, the risk of injury was higher during night shifts (22:00−06:00, OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.3−0.56; 14:00−22:00, OR = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.23−0.27; 06:00−14:00, OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.18−0.35). Conclusions: The results of this research study reveal that coal mine injuries are prevalent among coal miners. These injuries are often related to the age, experience, months of work, and the three-shift work system of miners.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Safe Working in Confined Space among Male Water Services Workers in the Central Region of Malaysia

Employee performance in terms of knowledge of job scope, safe working practices, and safety-related attitude at work are used to measure an organization’s success in managing employee welfare and safety to prevent workplace injury and death. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice on safe working in confined space among water services workers. A cross-sectional study involving a randomly selected 207 water services workers working in a confined space was performed in the central region of Malaysia. The assessment was performed using a validated Malay self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and Logistic regression were used for data analyses. The study’s participants were all men, with a mean (SD) age of 35.2 (8.83) years. The average working duration was 10.8 years. Overall, 67.1% of participants had good knowledge, while 65.7% had a positive attitude. The majority of the workers (60.4%) were found to follow safe working practices. Regression analysis revealed that significant predictors for knowledge were age [Adjusted odds ratio (Adj. OR) 2.793; 95% CI: 1.310, 5.955; p = 0.008] and attitude (Adj. OR 2.127; 95% CI: 1.011, 4.526; p = 0.048). Attitude was influenced by marital status (Adj. OR 4.126; 95% CI: 2.079, 8.186; p < 0.001) and knowledge level (Adj. OR 2.224; 95% CI: 1.025, 4.824; p = 0.043). A positive attitude was the sole predictor influencing the safe practice (Adj. OR; 1.878; 95% CI: 1.041, 3.388; p = 0.036). In conclusion, the workers’ levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices were relatively satisfactory. Extensive investment in workplace safety and health programs, appropriate training, growth opportunities, and effective employee performance evaluation methodologies may assist workers in performing at their best.

Strategies to reduce road traffic injuries among motorcyclists in Dezful, Iran: stressing on legal and environmental factors

BACKGROUND

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) have been eighth leading cause of death in the world and second leading one Iran in 2018. Every year, a large number of motorcycle RTIs lead to deaths and disabilities due to non-compliance with traffic rules and the traditional design of the streets and routes in Dezful, Iran. This study aims to pursue two goals: identifying the legal and environmental factors affecting motorcycle RTIs, and prioritizing effective strategies in reducing number of motorcycle RTIs in Dezful, Iran.

METHODS

A mixed method approach was used in this study. In the qualitative phase, focus group meetings using key informants were used to identify the effective factors and in the quantitative one a matrix was used for prioritizing effective strategies in preventing motorcycle RTIs.

RESULTS

45 basic codes related to legal factors and 8 basic codes of environmental factors were derived from the focus group meetings. Six main legal factors and 3 main environmental factors were prioritized as the most effective strategies to reduce motorcycle RTIs. The legal factors with the highest score were: making visible: obstacles, motorcycles and pedestrians and motorcyclists using colors and stickers or glossy stickers, further monitoring and training of riders' license issuance schools, seriousness in enforcing the laws and dealing legally and seriously with violators, continuous marking of roads and streets, random check of motorcycle riders' license, and construction of public parking lots in crowded zones. The environmental ones were: identifying places where traffic signs are covered with trees, and reporting through the 137 call center, identifying and reporting shoulderless and hazardous roads by municipality, and Identifying and reporting accident-causing potholes through the 137 call center.

CONCLUSIONS

All organizations and stakeholders involved in reducing motorcycle RTIs, should take benefit from different recommendation - i.e. education & awareness, law enforcement and legal actions, environmental actions, collaborations, partnerships, and lobbying, and research.

Incidents and Disaster Avoidance: The Role of Communication Management and the Organizational Communication Climate in High-Risk Environments

Health, safety and the working environment are of paramount importance, especially in the high-risk environments found at facilities in the oil and gas industry, where hazards are inevitable and accidents may lead to regrettable situations such as explosions, oil spills and other disasters. The high number of accidents and disasters at such facilities bring safety-related matters to the fore. The complexity of the communication process is very often underestimated, where failures in communication could lead to major disasters. This paper investigates the role of communication management and the organizational communication climate and their impact on incidents and disaster avoidance. This study embarks on a quantitative approach involving 260 personnel from high-risk workplaces at oil and gas facilities, based on purposive sampling. Hypotheses were tested using PLS-SEM to identify causal relationships and for mediation analysis. The findings of this study show that communication management and the organizational communication climate have a significant impact on disaster avoidance. The organizational communication climate is also found to be a significant mediator for the relationship between communication management and disaster avoidance. Communication management and the organizational communication climate need to be enhanced and to be integrated with other technology and innovation to improve safety regulation adherence in the oil and gas industry.

Risk Perception and Coping Behavior of Construction Workers on Occupational Health Risks-A Case Study of Nanjing, China

To reduce harm caused by occupational health risks of construction workers exposed to working environments, especially those for interior decoration, it is crucial for them to actively recognize and prevent these risks. Therefore, how to improve their occupational health risks perception and regulate their coping behaviors should be of great concern. However, most prior studies target construction worker safety, and little research focuses on risk analysis from the psychological level of workers. Hence, construction workers' occupational health risk perception level and coping behavior level in Nanjing and the influencing factors were analyzed through statistical analysis with 341 valid questionnaires. Bootstrapping was applied to test the mediating effects of risk perception on the proposed factors and coping behaviors. This study revealed that construction workers have a high-level of occupational health risk perception, yet low-level coping behavior. Gender, age, education level, and unit qualification cause differences in individual risk perception level. Personal knowledge and group effects significantly affect the level of risk perception, which subsequently affect coping behavior. Education level, monthly income, and personal knowledge influence the coping behavior through risk perception. Recommendations were put forward for risk perception and coping behavior improvement from the perspectives of construction workers themselves, enterprises, and governments. This study sheds new light for research areas of occupational health and risk management and provides beneficial practice for improving construction workers' responses to occupational health risks.

Evaluating the Consistency Between Conceptual Frameworks and Factors Influencing the Safe Behavior of Iranian Workers in the Petrochemical Industry: Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND

Unsafe worker behavior is often identified as a major cause of dangerous incidents in the petrochemical industry. Behavioral safety models provide frameworks that may help to prevent such incidents by identifying factors promoting safe or unsafe behavior. We recently conducted a qualitative study to identify factors affecting workers' unsafe behaviors in an Iranian petrochemical company.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to (1) conduct a review of the relevant research literature between the years 2000 and 2019 to identify theoretical models proposed to explain and predict safe behavior in the workplace and (2) to select the model that best reflects our qualitative findings and other evidence about the factors influencing safe behaviors among petrochemical workers.

METHODS

This research used mixed methods. Initially, we conducted a qualitative study of factors that Iranian petrochemical workers believed affected their safety behavior. Four themes emerged from the semistructured interviews: (1) poor direct safety management and supervision; (2) unsafe workplace conditions; (3) workers' perceptions, skills, and training; and (4) broader organizational factors. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, and Science Direct, were then searched for eligible studies on models to explain and predict safe behaviors, which were published between the years 2000 and 2019. Medical subject headings were used as the primary analytical element. Medical subject headings and subheadings were then extracted from the literature. One researcher conducted the search and 3 researchers performed screening and data extraction. Then, constructs described in each study were assessed to determine which were the most consistent with themes derived from our qualitative analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 2032 publications were found using the search strategy. Of these, 142 studies were assessed and 28 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The themes identified in the qualitative study most closely matched 3 scales included in Wu et al's model that measured safety behavior and performance, safety leadership, and safety climate in petrochemical industries. Poor direct safety management and supervision matched with safety leadership and its subscales; unsafe workplace conditions matched with safety climate and its subscales; workers' perceptions, skills, and training matched with safety performance and its subscales; and broader organizational factors matched with some subscales of the model.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first literature review to identify models intended to explain and predict safe behavior and select the model most consistent with themes elicited from a qualitative study. Our results showed that effective safety leadership and management and safety climate and culture systems are the most frequently identified factors affecting safe behaviors in the petrochemical industry. These results can further help safety researchers and professionals design effective behavior-based safety interventions, which can have a more sustainable and persistent impact on workers' safety behaviors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20170515033981N2; https://www.irct.ir/trial/26107.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.1186/s12889-019-7126-1.