The Model of Potential Development of Safety Officers to Reduce Losses in Industrial Factories

Abstract

This research purposes are 1) to investigate separate components of knowledge, skills and safety management systems of industrial safety officers 2) to create a competency framework oriented to potential development of workplace safety personnel as to minimize losses occurring in industrial plants and 3) to set out a potential development scheme for safety officers. Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were applied. Surveys were carried out with 3 representative groups (1) In-depth interviews were conducted to gather data from 11 professional respondents through purposive sampling technique (2) the questionnaire-based survey employing multistage sampling procedure was conducted with 404 respondents, comprising senior executives, security managers and professional safety officers working in petrochemical plants located in the Eastern region and (3) Focus Group Discussion was performed with 11 experts to assess content consistency and evaluate the potential development model. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather focused, qualitative data whereas a 5-point likert scale survey was applied to measure respondents’ opinion towards knowledge, skills and appropriate characteristics of safety officers; and to evaluate attitudes towards the manual and development model. Descriptive Statistics including percentages, means and standard deviations were obtained by SPSS. The results reveal that: 1) With regard to elements of knowledge, skills and officer characteristics, 12 elements were derived. (Eigenvalue between 1.281-14.278 and a percentage of each cumulative variance is between 2.169-73.408). 2) The potential development framework of safety officers consists of 3 components, 12 sub-competencies, i.e. knowledge of business and safety legislation, occupational health and environmental health. The skill components feature those on occupational safety and environmental management, community relations management, vision and strategic management, team leadership, human management, and effective communication skills to boost productivity. Finally, personality trait components embrace business ethics, commitment to professional learning and delivery, hard work determination and awareness of safety. 3) All professional respondents agree that the designed framework is consistent with content structure and can be applied to practical implementation efforts.