Relationship between ergonomics and safety culture among safety and health officers in manufacturing companies in Malaysia

Abstract

Ergonomics is one of the safety and health components that if implemented will contribute to job satisfaction. However, the relationship between ergonomics and safety culture is often neglected due to vague linkage. Although it is crucial, there is a lack of studies that link ergonomics with safety culture. The objectives of this study are to identify the role of ergonomics and safety culture with each other and to establish the relationship between ergonomics awareness (EA), ergonomics practices (EP), beliefs on the importance of safety culture (SCB) and existing safety culture practices (ESCP). Safety and Health Officers (SHO) are persons who are assigned to initiate ergonomics at workplace and good safety culture. Respondents were selected amongst the SHO in manufacturing companies in Malaysia. Pilot study (n=32) was done, full survey (n=146) was conducted and validation of the survey (n=75) was implemented. In order to achieve the first objective, Wilcoxon t-test was used to identify the level of ergonomics awareness and practices, and safety culture beliefs and practices. MANOVA was used to identify the effect of education level, past working experience and training received that significantly affect ergonomics awareness and practices. For the second objective, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) using SPSS was done with Principle Axis Factoring to determine all the underlying dimensions. Then Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) by using AMOS was done to confirm the constructs. Expert validation was done for the development of the constructs. Structural equation modelling technique was employed to assess the relationship between the constructs. The finding shows that the practices are still not in a high level compared to their awareness regardless of their formal education level. Training is believed to be the significant background of respondents that may affect their awareness. The results also show that two SCB constructs, three ESCP constructs, four EA constructs and two EP constructs were obtained. Overall, it illustrates a significant positive relationship between ergonomics and safety culture. Ergonomics awareness is able to inculcate existing safety culture practices, while existing safety culture practices are able to influence the practices of ergonomics at workplace. The conclusion is that there is a significant relationship between ergonomics and safety culture. This study has practical values in that SHO should relate ergonomics awareness and safety culture by managing the critical factors in order to get full benefits. It is proved empirically that ergonomics training that fits the factors considered may increase ergonomics awareness, thus influencing safety culture and ergonomics practices.