Title: Measuring the perception of safety officers on occupational health in Indian industries

Authors: G.S. Beriha, B. Patnaik, S.S. Mahapatra

Addresses: Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Orissa, India. ' Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Orissa, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Orissa, India

Abstract: Perceptions and understandings of risk in occupational health and safety (OHS) among employers and employees influence the control of risk at work. Critical analysis of OHS standards implementation reveals that the dimensions and the variables responsible for improving health and study norms widely vary across industries and locations. A study of risk perceptions and understanding in OHS by safety officers have been conducted in three Indian industrial sectors, e.g. construction, refectories and steel industries. A broadbased questionnaire is prepared covering various aspects of current OHS practices in industries. The responses are analysed using factor analysis and ten factors are extracted and interpreted. Finally, identified factors again analysed using discriminant analysis to highlight statistical difference among practices existing in three sectors. Findings of the study suggest that perception of safety officers has positive influence on factors such as injury avoidance, work practices, standardisation, healthcare and risk management.

Keywords: OHS standards; occupational health; occupational safety; risk perception; work practices; factor analysis; discriminant analysis; safety officers; risk control; employers; employees; critical analysis; construction industry; steel industry; statistical differences; injury avoidance; injuries; work practices; standardisation; healthcare; risk management; India; Indian culture; business management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2011.037424

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2011 Vol.4 No.1, pp.30 - 47

Published online: 31 Jan 2015 *

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