Search Results (143)

The construction sector is significant due to its numerous stakeholders, high-cost inputs, and its role in meeting the basic needs of communities such as housing and roads. The success of construction projects, their environmental friendliness, and the minimization of workplace accidents are therefore extremely important. The leadership role and attitude of the employer are crucial in this regard. This study examines the associations among inclusive leadership, narcissistic leadership, and green transformational leadership, as well as differences in these leadership scores across groups defined by project success, environmental friendliness, and occupational health and safety (OHS) measures, as perceived by employees. Data obtained through convenience sampling in Turkey were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U Test and the Spearman Correlation Test. The study revealed that inclusive leadership and green transformational leadership are positively associated with project success, environmental friendliness, and the implementation of OHS measures as perceived by employees, while narcissistic leadership had a negative association. Full article

The mining industry in Ghana, despite its economic significance, continues to grapple with occupational health and safety (OHS) issues, which include but are not limited to high accident rates and a largely reactive approach to safety. In this study, current practices in OHS management are assessed and a model is developed that reflects the interdependencies and associations between workplace hazards, accidents, health effects and preventative actions in a probabilistic fashion. A quantitative analytical design was employed and a sample of 298 workers, safety officers and supervisors from mines were surveyed. The data were analysed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to derive latent OHS factors, K-modes clustering and Hierarchical Clustering to classify worker safety profiles, and a Bayesian Network model was employed to investigate probabilistic dependencies. Three major OHS dimensions emerged from PCA: perceived adequacy of safety measures, formal training exposure, and safety resources. Three distinct worker profiles were identified, suggesting that the provision of physical safety equipment does not necessarily reflect perceived operational safety. Moreover, the Bayesian Network model indicated a conditional dependency between workers’ reported health issues and formal accident reporting, and that high hazard environments more than double the probability of an accident occurring (from 0.216 to 0.453). The results indicate that the industry is now operating in an incident-based manner. In order to mitigate the likelihood of accidents, management needs to move towards anticipatory safety management systems, which involve proactive health monitoring, equipment maintenance, and implementation of safety policies in practice. Full article

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) currently face substantial challenges in maintaining their operating standards. Implementing occupational health and safety practices (OHSPs) can be an important strategy for success. This empirical study assessed the performance of OHSPs in SMEs. A framework was developed comprising four performance indicators: operations, customer satisfaction, finance, and employee satisfaction. Data were collected from 35 SMEs in the Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE) in Kotri, Sindh, Pakistan, through a self-administered questionnaire and convenience sampling. Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess data reliability, yielding a coefficient of 0.85 and indicating acceptable reliability. The data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics and intercorrelations among the components. Most SMEs reported improved performance, including greater employee motivation (94.2%), target achievement (85.7%), timely order delivery (91.4%), product quality (80%), ease of supervision (57.1%), company reputation (94.3%), profitability (60%), productivity (91.5%), and sales (57.1%). Overall, the SMEs reported improvements across all four key performance areas, primarily following the effective implementation of OHSPs. Intercorrelation analysis also indicated positive relationships among all factors, most of which were statistically significant at the 0.05 level. These findings demonstrate that implementing OHSPs can support sustainable growth and promote healthy lives and decent work, thereby contributing to SDGs 3 and 8. Full article

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) risk management is an ongoing challenge in resource-scarce chemical industries, especially in developing nations like Tunisia. The current research recommends a hybrid socio-techno-environmental model based on Fuzzy Logic and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for occupational health and safety risk assessment and prioritization of occupational health and safety (OHS) risks. The model, based on a backup of expert judgment from pre-specified questionnaires and real data of Tunisian chemical industries, quantifies the risk factors based on criticality and probability of occurrence. Fuzzy–AHP not only evaluates qualitative estimates but also provides a systematic framework for evaluating and prioritizing occupational health and safety risks. Findings are consistent with the fact that socio-organizational factors such as occupational safety culture and compliance among workers play a pivotal role in determining total levels of risk, and in certain cases dominate over technical considerations alone. In offering a scalable and context-sensitive solution, this research has an additional contribution with a decision-support framework that assists organizations in evaluating and prioritizing occupational health and safety risks under uncertain conditions. Its use for policy makers and business interests that seek to maximise OHS performance in given constraints, and its use in actual implementation and compatibility with sustainability and worker health goals, speaks to its utility. Full article

The aim of the study was to identify the characteristics of Aotearoa/New Zealand osteopaths who report often discussing occupational health and safety (OHS) issues with patients. Participants completed a questionnaire, through a practice-based research network, exploring their demographic, practice, and clinical management characteristics. Backward logistic regression was used to identify statistically significant predictors of often discussing OHS issues with patients. Two hundred and seventy-seven (N = 277) completed the questionnaire. One hundred and fourteen participants (41.2%) reported often discussing OHS with patients. Predictors associated with lower odds of often discussing OHS included more years in osteopathy practice (aOR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.98), volunteering as an osteopath (aOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.19–0.91), sending referrals to a massage therapist (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26–0.91) or naturopath (aOR 0.43, 95% CI 0.24–0.79), and working across more than one practice location (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24–0.87). Predictors associated with higher odds included receiving referrals from another osteopath (aOR 2.72, 95% CI 1.33–5.58), often treating work-related injuries (aOR 2.26, 95% CI 1.19–4.30), often discussing medications (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.20–4.07), and often discussing physical activity (aOR 7.74, 95% CI 2.42–24.80), though the latter estimate carries considerable imprecision. A significant proportion of Aotearoa/New Zealand osteopaths report discussing OHS issues with their patients. These findings reflect self-reported consultation behaviours and should not be interpreted as evidence of formal occupational health competence or effectiveness. Further research on the nature, content, and outcomes of osteopathic engagement with OHS concerns is needed. Full article

Occupational health and safety (OHS) malpractices may increase the risk of occupational injuries and are a significant public health problem in the iron and steel industries, often leading to disability and death. Information on OHS practices related to occupational injuries in the iron and steel industries is limited in many countries. This study aimed to assess OHS practices in relation to occupational injuries among workers in the iron and steel industries in Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 321 production line workers. Data were collected through interviews, using a structured OHS questionnaire and the modified International Labour Organization (ILO) injury assessment tool. A total of 209 workers had experienced an occupational injury in the past year. According to univariate regression analyses, the safety practice variables ‘safety inspections’ and ‘use of personal protective equipment’ were significantly associated with occupational injury. However, after adjusting for sociodemographic and organizational factors, including years of work experience, work section, daily working hours, and shift work, these associations were no longer statistically significant. Working in the rolling mill, having less than four years of work experience, working more than 10 h per day, and performing shift work were significant predictors of occupational injuries. These factors attenuated the associations between safety practices and occupational injuries. The severity of injuries was found to be related to the accessibility of PPE. The findings suggest that work experience and organizational characteristics play a critical role in shaping occupational injury risk, highlighting the need for multifaceted interventions that integrate effective safety practices, work experience and organizational measures to improve worker safety in Tanzania’s iron and steel industry. Full article

Traditional wet markets are critical components of Indonesia’s urban food system, yet remain largely unexamined from an occupational health and safety (OHS) perspective. This study identified and prioritized OHS risks among vendors and visitors at Nanggalo Market, a high-density traditional market in Padang, West Sumatra. This was an exclusively qualitative, descriptive, non-probability (purposive) study; no actual occupational accidents, injuries, or exposure incidents were evaluated, and risk levels reflect participants’ perceptions together with researchers’ triangulated observations rather than objective incident records. An observational qualitative design combined elicitation surveys with 45 participants (20 vendors, 20 visitors, 5 market managers), direct observation, and in-depth interviews with 7 key informants. Risk assessment followed the AS/NZS 4360:2004 matrix, classifying risks by likelihood and consequence severity based on participant- and researcher-perceived evidence rather than recorded incident data. Ten potential hazards were identified across six activity zones: traffic and parking; buying and selling; culinary activities; building structures and floor conditions; security and stray animals; and emergency access. Seven risks were classified as high-level, including slipping on wet floors, lack of evacuation routes, lack of fire extinguishers, narrow circulation paths, poor toilet conditions, crowding, and traffic injuries, while three were moderate. All high-level risks lacked adequate controls. Recommended interventions span the full hierarchy of controls, prioritizing engineering and administrative measures, and propose community-based occupational health posts as a sustainable mechanism. These findings provide an evidence base for strengthening OHS governance in traditional wet markets across Indonesia and comparable low- and middle-income country settings. Full article

Migrant agricultural workers (MAWs), predominantly individuals from countries in the Global South, play a vital role in maintaining Canadian food security. Employed in low-income positions across the country, they often face workplace hazards and numerous occupational health and safety (OHS) challenges related to long working hours, limited access to OHS information, gaps in knowledge, structural power imbalances with employers, and language and cultural barriers. This pilot study explored the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of OHS issues among MAWs in Southern and Eastern Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed survey questions on working conditions, OHS hazards, and living conditions. A total of 93 questionnaires were completed, 55 by Spanish-speaking and 38 by English-speaking individuals, with 91% of respondents identifying as male. Several participants reported awareness of positive COVID-19 cases in their workplaces, and some indicated having experienced OHS-related illnesses or injuries but felt uncomfortable reporting them to supervisors. Knowledge of OHS rights varied, with a notable minority uncertain about their entitlement to sick leave. The findings indicate a need for further research and targeted interventions to strengthen health and safety practices among MAWs and to ensure they are informed, protected, and supported in exercising their workplace rights. Full article

Risk assessment is a cornerstone of effective occupational health and safety (OHS) management, yet its efficacy often varies in practice. Evaluating legislative frameworks is essential for enhancing the practical application of safety standards. This study examines the state of the risk assessment process in Croatia from the perspective of OHS experts to provide recommendations for improvement and standardization. A digital survey was conducted among registered OHS experts via the national Information System for Occupational Safety (ISZNR). Data from 967 OHS experts were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The hypothesis that current risk assessment processes are insufficiently effective was partially accepted, as a significant portion of the surveyed OHS experts perceive them as having limited functional effectiveness. While 33% of experts view the current prescribed mandatory risk assessment methodology as effective, more than half of respondents (56%) identified that risk assessments are predominantly adjusted to formal requirements rather than to actual work conditions. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in perceptions of risk assessment effectiveness based on OHS experts’ support for mandatory legal frameworks for standardization (Q19; p = 0.259) or the active usage of digital tools (p = 0.984). However, a statistically significant relationship was observed regarding general attitudes toward quality improvement through standardization (Q17; p < 0.05) and the perceived utility of digitalization (p < 0.001). The study concludes that the current process requires further improvement and suggests detailed sectoral analyses for future research. Full article

Establishing a strong safety culture remains a key challenge for safety professionals in the manufacturing sector. Although safety culture has been examined across South African industries such as food production, aviation and construction, limited research focuses on manufacturing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study addresses this gap by examining how employees perceive organizational factors influencing safety culture through a six-factor leadership and safety practices framework. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from a convenience sample of 487 employees aged 18–65 years working in South African manufacturing SMEs, recruited through a national market research panel. A structured, self-administered questionnaire measured employee perceptions of organizational factors shaping safety culture and related compliance behaviors. The structural model demonstrated satisfactory reliability and strong model fit, with six core factors identified, namely management commitment, safety incentives, safety training, safety communication with feedback, safety culture, and safety compliance. Findings indicate that stronger safety culture development requires SME leadership engagement, resource allocation and open communication, supported by frequent, context-specific training and intrinsic and extrinsic incentives, while clear, enforceable compliance measures help reduce workplace hazards and maintain regulatory alignment. Full article

Confined space operations are characterized by environmental complexity and latent hazards, where failures in human risk perception represent a primary precursor to industrial accidents, posing a significant challenge to sustainable occupational health and safety (OHS) management. This study investigates the mechanism by which individual traits (risk propensity) influence risk perception performance through cognitive processes (inattentional blindness). Utilizing psychological scales and eye-tracking technology, we quantitatively analyzed the visual search behaviors of participants with varying risk propensities across typical confined space hazard scenarios. The results indicate that individuals with high risk propensity tend to adopt a “random-exploratory superficial scanning strategy,” characterized by significantly delayed Time to First Fixation (TFF) and lower Fixation Count (FC) within critical hazard areas compared to the low-risk propensity group. Statistical analysis reveals that inattentional blindness exerts a full mediating effect between risk propensity and risk perception performance, accounting for 72.56% of perception failures. This research confirms that an imbalance in attentional resource allocation leads to higher cognitive omission of salient hazards among high-risk propensity individuals. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for cognitive reliability assessment and the design of sustainable safety training programs in high-risk industries, ultimately contributing to the social sustainability and well-being of industrial workforces. Full article

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is transforming industrial systems through interconnected, data-driven technologies, raising questions about how these developments affect Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). This study investigates research trends, thematic structures, and knowledge gaps at the intersection of I4.0 and OHS using a multilevel bibliometric framework applied to Scopus records published from 2011 to 2025. The analysis moves from a broad overview of the I4.0 landscape to more focused examinations of specific I4.0–OHS publications, prevention-oriented studies, and emerging-risk research. The results show that OHS has limited visibility in the general I4.0 literature and is more prominent mainly in targeted subsets, where digital sensing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and immersive technologies drive prevention-focused research. Conversely, emerging risks such as cognitive load, psychosocial stressors, and human–autonomy interaction appear in smaller, more dispersed clusters. Overall, the findings suggest that the relationship between I4.0 and OHS is unevenly developed, with established prevention mechanisms and early-stage conceptualization of new risks. Strengthening this field will require integrating human factors with digital indicators, better characterizing emerging risks, and ensuring that digital transformation supports SDG 8 by fostering safe and healthy working environments. Full article

Manufacturing polishing tasks involve repetitive movements and sustained postures that increase exposure to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). This study presents an intersectoral validation of the ergonomic assessment methodology applied to industrial metal polishing operators that considered sociodemographic, anthropometric, and health variables. This study surveyed 41 workers using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and assessed a subsample of 27 workers using the REBA method through AI-based computer vision. Symptom prevalence was highest in the neck (82.9%), shoulders (70.8%), lower back (68.3%), and wrists/hands (65.9%). Using a computer-vision AI-based tool to analyse posture, the REBA method identified moderate (70.3%), high (26.0%) and very high (3.7%) WRMSD risks for the upper arms, neck, and trunk, respectively, with women showing greater susceptibility. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant associations between age, gender, health perception, and musculoskeletal risks. The findings confirm the ergonomic assessment method’s applicability and reliability for ergonomic risk assessment in industrial polishing tasks, emphasising the need for targeted interventions adapted to gender and age profiles to mitigate occupational hazards. The results support a non-intrusive assessment approach suitable for industrial deployment and for prioritising targeted, worker-stratified ergonomic interventions. Full article

Construction site layout planning (CSLP) is an optimization issue that has been studied for decades. However, risk factors are still open to exploration, and risk is often not addressed comprehensively in the state-of-the-art literature; moreover, only a few studies have investigated safety as an optimization component in construction sites. This research aims to obtain optimal layout solutions that minimize site risk. In this study, the components of the risk factor were defined as interaction flows between facilities, closeness factors, and the influence of tower cranes. The Dragonfly Algorithm (DA) was selected to solve the CSLP problem due to its strong exploration and exploitation capacity. A DA-based model was developed that integrates the relationships between facilities into a single objective function. This integration extends existing CSLP optimization frameworks by explicitly incorporating multiple risk factors, which constitutes the novelty of the proposed approach. The model was implemented in an actual construction site as a case study. Also, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) were employed for comparison purposes. The acquired layout plans showed that the DA provided lower site risk values with feasible solutions for CSLP optimization problems. To validate the results, structured feedback was obtained from 10 experienced project managers and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) experts, confirming the practical and safety relevance of the optimized layouts. Overall, the proposed DA-based model in this study not only provides feasible solutions for CSLP problems but also integrates comprehensive safety considerations that enable more efficient and safer construction site layouts. Full article

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) play a critical regulatory role within municipal health services, yet their occupational health and safety (OHS) risks remain poorly characterised in the literature. This narrative review synthesises evidence on the physical, biological, chemical, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards encountered by EHPs during routine municipal inspection and enforcement activities. A structured literature search across major databases was conducted, and findings were synthesised using a risk characterisation framework to examine hazard types, exposure pathways, and associated health outcomes. The review demonstrates that EHPs are exposed to simultaneous and interacting hazards through multiple routes, including inhalation, dermal contact, ingestion, traumatic incidents, and psychosocial strain. Where available, quantitative indicators of exposure magnitude from inspection-relevant environments were identified, highlighting both potential risk severity and significant gaps in direct exposure measurement. Importantly, the findings indicate that occupational risks faced by EHPs are largely systemic, shaped by organisational constraints, resource limitations, enforcement contexts, and broader governance conditions rather than isolated individual behaviours. This review contributes to safety science by providing an integrated conceptual model of EHP occupational exposure pathways and by highlighting the need for system-level OHS interventions within municipal health services. Strengthening PPE provision, organisational support, and exposure monitoring is essential to improving EHPs safety and the effectiveness of environmental health regulation. Full article