Authors: Roua Ali , Fayo Haje , Najoud Alotaibi , Ghadeer Adel Alghamdi , Elaf Mudathir Osman Elgahori , Sujood Fathi Elbashir Elhassan , Maha Raed Theayb Eissa Roua Ali , Shahd Yousri Siddiq , Zakia Isam Ahmed Ibrahim , Basma Elshahat Gadallah , Elsayed Elfatih Elsayed Elhag

Abstract

Background: Work safety is a set of measures taken to prevent hazards originating from the work environment, prevent events threatening the health of the workers, and protect workers' health. Workers are exposed to a wide range of workplace risks. The perception of workers regarding work safety can affect their safety behavior and consequently their outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the perception of workplace safety climate and the safety behavior of workers attending occupational health clinics in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on workers attending occupational health clinics in Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted between the period from---------to-------- using an online survey for data collection. The candidates were invited to participate in the study via email and social media.

Results: A total of 365 workers from different occupations were recruited. The mean±SD of perception and safety behavior scores was 21.85±3.45 and 45.05±6.46, respectively. Perception and safety behavior were significantly related to previous work injuries (P=0.04, P=0.003, respectively for perception and safety behavior) and reporting danger (P=0.002, P˂0.001, respectively for perception and safety behavior). There was a significant positive correlation between perception dimensions and safety behavior.

Conclusion: The workers in this study from different occupations exhibited high perception of safety climate and high practice of safety behavior. There was a significant positive association between perception of safety climate and high practice of safety behavior, with the strongest association found between safety behavior and safety training and awareness dimension.

Keywords: Perception, safety behavior, workers, safety climate.