An analysis of relationships between occupational injury, job satisfaction and turnover intention among stone, sand, and gravel mine workers

Abstract

Stone, sand, and gravel mining accounts for 80 % of all mining operations. Maintaining a skilled labor force is essential for this large and growing mining sector. Occupational injuries negatively impact worker health and well-being and are costly. Additionally, injuries may impact workers’ job satisfaction and their desire to seek other employment. The impact of work-related occupational injuries on job satisfaction and turnover intention has not been explored in stone, sand, and gravel mining operations. This study analyzed cross-sectional data from 459 workers employed in the stone, sand, and gravel mining industry in the midwestern United States. Mplus was used to complete path analysis to assess a hypothesized model and its relationships. Analyses determined the model was a good fit for the data, occupational injuries negatively impacted worker job satisfaction, job satisfaction negatively impacted turnover intention, and job satisfaction mediated the relationship between occupational injuries and turnover intention. These findings confirm posited hypotheses and provide evidence that occupational injuries not only harm workers but also result in diminished job satisfaction and ultimately turnover intention, important business outcomes for the stone, sand, and gravel mining industry.