Safety management practices among Saudi healthcare professionals during pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted organizational processes and activities. Unlike previous pandemics, COVID-19 has affected everyone directly or indirectly. To protect employees from the virus and associated risks, organizations have focused on developing occupational health and safety management systems. While safety policies and practices were already in place before the pandemic, the emergence of new physical and psychological risks has led organizations to amend their safety and health management systems. Governments have introduced health containment measures such as social distancing, working in shifts, and mandatory quarantine to enhance safety for people worldwide. Employers have also introduced safety measures to build confidence in implementation. These safety management practices have influenced employees' behaviors during the pandemic, and this study aims to examine their impact. Specifically, the study aims to determine the impact of management practices on the behavior of healthcare employees regarding their safety in a threatening environment. Additionally, the study seeks to investigate the indirect influence of management practices on employees' behavior through perceived risks and efficacy. It is important to note that there has been a lack of research on the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. This study found that management commitment did not directly influence employee safety behavior. However, management commitment towards workplace safety practices had a significant and direct influence on healthcare employees' perceived risk associated with COVID-19 and their efficacy. Consequently, management commitment was found to indirectly influence employee safety behavior through efficacy.