Managing health risks in the offshore workplace: Impact on health climate, safety climate and risk identification

Abstract

The study, conducted in the offshore oil industry (N=1374), sought to examine how the management of health risks in the workplace is assessed and evaluated by the workforce and how these practices influence health climate, safety climate and risk-taking behaviours. Results suggest that employees at worksites engaging in positive health risk management practices were more satisfied that management is concerned about the health risks they face in the workplace. Perceptions of health and safety climates were more positive on these installations. While health management practices did not appear to be associated with risk-taking behaviours, positive health risk management worksites were also characterised by employees who were more likely to be involved in risk identification and to discuss occupational health concerns with worksite medical personnel. Results are discussed in relation to improvements in the more general organisational climate.