Evaluation of the relationship between occupational health and safety awareness and safe behavior of employees in a workplace in the cement industry, which is in the very dangerous class

Introduction and Purpose : Workplaces in the very dangerous class are at a more critical level than other working environments in terms of danger level and risks. Technically analyzing the studies done on occupational health and safety in these workplaces and taking the necessary precautions to eliminate the deficiencies, preventing potential dangers by increasing occupational health and safety awareness and developing safe behavior among employees, will make significant contributions to the prevention of work accidents and occupational diseases. In this context, the aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between occupational health and safety awareness and safe behaviors of employees in a very dangerous workplace. Materials and Methods : This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between 15 March and 30 June 2022 among employees in a very dangerous class workplace in cement sector in Tokat province. The universe of the study consists of employees in all workplaces in the very dangerous class in cement sector in Tokat province. This study was conducted on randomly selected employees of an integrated cement factory operating in the cement production sector, which is in the very dangerous class. During the period when the study was conducted, it was aimed to reach all 157 employees within the facility, including both those actively working in the field and management and administrative personnel, and at the end of the study, data of 145 employees were included in the analysis. After informing the employees about the purpose of the study by visiting the units where they work, a survey was administered to all volunteer employees who gave their consent to participate, via face-to-face interview. "Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Scale" and "Safe Behavior Scale" were used to evaluate the employees' occupational health and safety awareness level and safe behavior. The data were evaluated using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20.0 statistical package program. In the statistical analysis of the data, descriptive data are shown as number (n), percentage (%) and mean±standard deviations. Independent Sample T-Test, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal Wallis Analysis of Variance were used for comparisons between groups. Pearson Correlation Analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between scales. Statistical significance level was taken as p<0.05. Results : 94.5% of the 145 employees participating in the research were male, the average age was 38.7±7.5; 42.8% are university graduates or above, 64.8% work in a technical unit, 46.2% have 11-20 years of experience in the workplace and 36.6% work in shifts. 87.6% of the employees stated that their awareness of occupational health and safety was sufficient, 98.6% stated that they had knowledge about the content of the occupational health and safety law no 6331, and 95.2% stated that they had knowledge about the personal protective equipment that should be used in the workplace. Among the employees participating to the research, those who worked at the workplace for 10 years or more compared to those who worked for less; In the group other than the employees of technical and management units, compared to the other groups; The occupational health and safety awareness score was found to be statistically significantly higher in daytime workers than in shift workers (p<0.05). Safety compliance scores, which is the safe behavior subscale, were found to be significantly higher in those working only during the day than in those working in shifts and in those with chronic diseases than those without (p<0.05). According to the results of the correlation analysis, a statistically significant and positive (r=0.405 p<0.01) "medium" level correlation was detected between the Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Scale and the Safe Behavior Scale. Conclusion: It was concluded that although the employees' awareness of occupational health and safety and their level of safe behavior were high, the correlation between them was not strong and the awareness was not sufficiently reflected in safe behavior. For this reason, occupational health and safety awareness and safe behavior relation should be enhanced and occupational health and safety should not be left only to human initiative.