Page 72 - IOSH JanFeb24_Full LR

Research:
THE EVIDENCE DEEP DIVE

in depth

We take a look at two recent
papers to see how their

findings can inform OSH.

TITLE prior LTSA, in four biannual national
Safety climate at cohort surveys in 2012–18 for two
work and risk of years in a national register of social
long-term sickness transfer payments. Weighted Cox
regression was used to control for
absence: prospective
age, gender, survey year, education,
cohort with register lifestyle, psychosocial work factors,
follow-up among occupational group and depressive
organisation prioritises safety,
63,500 workers symptoms. The study determined the encourages safe practices and
prospective association of the number
PUBLICATION provides the resources and support for
of safety climate problems (0–5) with
Safety Science a safe work environment. Conversely,
the risk of LTSA of six or more weeks.
a negative safety climate suggests that
During follow-up, 8.6% of employees
BACKGROUND/AIMS employees may feel that safety is not
developed LTSA. Compared with
Sickness absence from work remains a top priority, which can lead to a lax
individuals not reporting any safety
a huge problem, with consequences attitude towards safety practices.
climate problems, those reporting 1,
for companies, societies, individuals ‘In this study, the presence of
2, 3 and 4–5 problems experienced a
and their dependents. An average safety climate problems means that

significantly increased risk of LTSA.
of 3.6% of the working population employees are perceiving issues or

in Denmark is absent every day CONCLUSIONS deficiencies in their workplace’s
due to sickness absence, and Safety climate problems at work safety culture. These problems can
5.6% have experienced long-term increase the risk of LTSA and can be range from inadequate managerial
sickness absence (LTSA) within the considered a proactive indicator that focus on safety and equipment to a
last 12 months. This study aimed actions need to be taken to improve lack of safety communication, worker
to investigate the scientific gap safety, health and wellbeing in involvement or reporting mechanisms.

concerning the importance of the the workplace. The research highlights that even
safety climate at work for the risk minor safety climate problems

of LTSA in the general working RESEARCHERS’ TAKEAWAY can significantly impact long-term
population, as well as in occupations ‘Safety climate is an essential aspect sickness absence, reinforcing the
characterised by shorter education of OSH management. It refl ects importance of addressing these
and/or physically demanding work. how employees perceive their issues for the wellbeing of employees
organisation’s commitment to safety, and the success of the organisation.
METHODS AND FINDINGS their colleagues’ safety behaviours and The key message is that fostering
The authors followed 63,500 the overall safety culture. a positive safety climate is crucial
employees of the general working ‘A positive safety climate indicates for overall employee wellbeing and
population in Denmark, without that employees believe their organisational success in terms of

72 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | IOSHMAGAZINE.COM

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