An assessment of the occupational risks to qualified electrical technicians in a manufacturing company

Abstract

This project investigates a number of determinants of work-place safety. Specifically, it studies a manufacturing environment work culture and looks deep into the shared norms, working-culture, employee beliefs and at-risk behaviour. Data provided by sixteen technicians of Methode Electronics Malta Limited, a local major manufacturing company, supports the hypothesis that though the causes of occupational accidents are many and varied, the leading cause is the at-risk behaviour of employees themselves. The project shows that while the direct importance of at-risk-behaviour is made clear by the general principle that people who engage in risky and dangerous work are more likely to be injured, injure others, or cause damage; the degree of risk associated with the working environment is also important. It is clear that employees who perceive that their work environment is safe are likely to have more positive attitudes toward occupational health and safety than those who do not. In all of this, employees' direct supervision, normative examples of co-worker practices and management policy and practices are also critical.