Social responsibility for the safety and health of employees at work

Abstract

Purpose. To elucidate the role of social responsibility and evaluate the contribution of subjects of labor protection management on business entity in solving problems of maintaining health and ensuring safety of employees in modern occupational conditions. Methodology. Sociological research was carried out by interviewing respondents with various work experience. The obtained results were processed using probability statistical methods with further generalization and formalization. Findings. On the basis of conducted study, it has been established that within the last twenty years the role of subjects of occupational safety management on business entity has been changing gradually, particularly the awareness of employers and employees of their responsibility in labor protection activities has increased; however, the awareness of state authorities for their responsibility in such activities has decreased. According to the obtained results, the formation of high-level occupational safety culture at business entities that include communication based on mutual trust, common perception of the importance of safety and confidence in the effectiveness of preventive measures, is quite actual at the present stage of economic development. The results of the study showed that 82 % of respondents indicated the main problem as a low level of competence of managers and employees in safety issues. Also, the respondents noted problems related to the organization of work (62 % of interviewed persons), including disagreement or misunderstanding of the main goals of the organization. Approximately one third of respondents (32 %) indicated excessive workload. A little more than half of the respondents (61 %) were willing to discuss occupational safety and took an active role in organizing a safe work environment. Originality. Two main reasons were shown why respondents did not wish to discuss occupational safety issues, and as a result to, care about their own safety. The reasons reported were the motives of underestimating occupational hazards and motives related to the professional responsibilities. The identified dominant motives for omission of occupational hazards at work are related to the occupational safety culture. Practical value. The obtained results will contribute to the formation of occupational safety culture, improve labour organization and eliminate the dominant factors of injuries and occupational morbidity. Specific meaning of occupational safety culture and common understanding of it by all members of the workforce plays a fundamental role in accident prevention. The reported results can interest employers and employees, as the main subjects of entrepreneurial activity, that they are fully responsible for their own and collective safety, as well as scientists studying issues related to occupational safety culture.