Redefining health, risk, and safety for occupational settings: A mixed-methods study

Abstract

Clear and specific definitions are essential in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practice and research, guiding the development of methods, tools, and metrics for effective management. However, there remains a lack of consensus within the field when defining health, risk, and safety. This study addresses this gap by proposing comprehensive definitions of these constructs based on the combination of empirical data from workshops conducted at a major construction company in Australia with literature from various disciplines. The qualitative analysis of participant responses and thematic coding of definitions from various disciplines revealed diverse perspectives on health, risk, and safety, highlighting the need for context-specific definitions tailored to different organisational levels. Hence, this study recommends simplified, summarised, and comprehensive definitions of these constructs to enhance clarity and consistency in OHS communication and practice. These definitions aim to foster a shared understanding and improve the effectiveness of OHS initiatives across different contexts. The paper also discusses several theoretical, practical, and ethical implications these definitions may have for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers regarding the scope of health, risk, and safety, their relationships, and the validity of related constructs such as risk assessment and safety performance. Finally, our study advocates a shift from mainly approaching OHS as a business objective towards viewing it more as a positive duty and public health area.