Fostering a safety culture in manufacturing through safety behavior: A structural equation modelling approach

Creating a robust safety management system is crucial for fostering a culture of safety in the workplace, particularly in industries like manufacturing where improvements are still needed. This study aimed to assess the impact of safety behavior on safety culture within the manufacturing sector. Employing a quantitative approach, questionnaires were distributed to 342 employees in manufacturing firms during data collection. The collected data underwent analysis using structural equation modeling (SEM) through IBM-SPSS-AMOS 24.0 to test the proposed model. The study findings revealed that components of safety behavior, specifically safety compliance and safety leadership, have a significant influence on safety culture. This implies that prioritizing safety behavior and culture is vital for occupational safety and health, aligning with guidelines set by responsible entities to ensure a secure work environment. The insights gained from this research can be instrumental in highlighting the importance of safety culture, the pivotal role of leadership, the complex nature of safety culture, and the potential for measuring and enhancing it. By understanding these implications, organizations can foster a safety-centric culture that not only protects employees but also enhances overall performance. Additionally, this research contributed to the existing literature by examining an integrated higher-order construct model using the SEM technique, predicting the model by 53 percent. The insights garnered from this study are applicable to various types of firms, emphasizing the integral role of safety culture in any organization.