The effect of workers' happiness at work in the forest industry sector on their occupational health and safety performance

The forest industry sector is a work area that poses high risks in terms of employee health and safety. Therefore, effective implementation of occupational health and safety (OHS) practices is of critical importance in terms of ensuring both physical and psychological well-being of employees. In the study, the effect of individuals working in the forest industry being happy at work on their OHS performance was examined. In addition, it was investigated how the concept of happiness at work interacts with occupational health and safety practices and how employees' perceptions of safe working environments are reflected in their job performance. Within the scope of the research, a quantitative research method was adopted in order to evaluate the effect of employees' happiness levels at work on their occupational health and safety performance. Data were collected and analyzed from employees operating in the forest industry. In the analysis process, statistical evaluations were performed using the R Studio program and the relationships between variables were examined in detail with the structural equation modeling (SEM) method. As a result of the analyzes, it was determined that employees being happy at work has different levels of impact on various dimensions of OHS performance. The findings of the study show that employees being happy at work can positively affect their occupational health and safety performance. In particular, it has been concluded that employee happiness has a direct impact on elements such as compliance with occupational safety rules, safe working habits and risk perception. In this context, it is emphasized that occupational health and safety practices should be supported by strategies to increase employee happiness in risky sectors such as the forest industry.