Psycho-socio-cultural factors and global occupational safety: Integrating micro- and macro-systems

Abstract

Occupational health and safety varies greatly around the world. However, there is a dearth of information on contributing factors to global occupational safety at both micro- and macro-level. The aim of this study was to examine which psycho-socio-cultural factors including economic contexts are associated with occupational fatality rates in 51 countries from six continents (Study 1), as well as fatality rates and serious occupational injury rates in 31 European countries (Study 2). Multiple regression analysis showed that universal healthcare and individualism were significantly associated with lower occupational fatality rates in Study 1. To expand Study 1, additional variables regarding healthcare systems and occupational safety were utilized in Study 2 and it was shown that greater overall quality of healthcare system, greater quality of healthcare systems' prevention effort, and higher individualism were meaningfully linked with lower occupational fatality rates. Meanwhile, greater overall quality of healthcare and greater quality of healthcare systems’ prevention efforts were meaningfully linked with higher serious occupational injury rates. To prevent workplace fatalities more effectively and to promote workplace safety and health at the global level, socioeconomic and cultural factors at micro- and macro-level need to be appropriately considered. Specifically, safety policies, regulations, procedures, and practices in countries with healthcare systems of greater quality can be benchmarked for other countries. Also, functional aspects of safety communication and participation in cultures with high individualism can be referenced by other countries.