The Relationship Between Occupational Accidents and Near-Miss Accidents and Occupational Safety Climate in a Metal Industry Workplace

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the research is to determine the relationship between occupational safety climate and occupational accidents and near-miss accidents in a workplace producing in the metal industry. Material and methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 July and 30 August 2024 in an enterprise engaged in production in the metal sector in Balikesir province with a research group of 387 people. The dependent variables of the study are occupational accidents and near misses. Results: During their working lives, 37.2% of the participants had a near-miss accident and 34.1% had a work-related accident. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that those who had a near-miss accident had low scores in the dimensions of Management safety priority, commitment and competence (OR: 0.56 CI: 0.38-0.82), Management safety justice (OR: 0.69, CI: 0.48-1), Workers’ safety commitment (OR: 0.62, CI: 0.42-0.93), Workers’ safety priority and risk non-acceptance (OR: 0.4 CI: 0.27-0.61) and safety communication, learning, and trust in co-worker safety competence (OR: 0.65, CI: 0.45-0.94). According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, those who had a work accident had a significantly lower score on the dimension of Workers’ safety priority and risk non-acceptance (OR: 0.46, CI: 0.30-0.70). Conclusion: In the study, one in three people had a work accident or near-miss accident during their working life and the level of work safety climate was quite good. It was determined that the history of near miss accidents and work accidents was significantly related to the dimensions of occupational safety climate.