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Vol 9, No 1 (2024)
Research paper
Published online: 2023-11-10
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Effects of occupational safety performance on work engagement of emergency workers: mediating role of job satisfaction

Gufte Caner Akin1, Zeynep Feride Olcay2, Murat Yildrim3, Derya Cevik Tasdemir4, Abdulkadir Yildiz1, Lukasz Szarpak567, Jaroslaw Chmielewski58, Francesco Chirico910
DOI: 10.5603/demj.97462
·
Disaster Emerg Med J 2024;9(1):23-35.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Istanbul Gelisim University, Türkiye
  2. Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Istanbul Aydin University, Türkiye
  3. Department of Psychology, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Türkiye
  4. Department of Management and Organization, Gaziantep University, Türkiye
  5. Institute of Outcomes Research, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Medical Academy, Warsaw, Poland
  6. Maria Sklodowska-Curie Bialystok Oncology Center, Bialystok, Poland
  7. Henry JN Taub Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Houston, TX, United States
  8. Department of Public Health, International European University, Kyiv, Ukraine
  9. Post-Graduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
  10. Health Service Department, Italian State Police, Ministry of the Interior, Milan, Italy

open access

Vol 9, No 1 (2024)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Published online: 2023-11-10

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The issue of occupational health and safety (O.H.S.) is paramount for emergency personnel who are consistently exposed to high-stress situations. Ensuring these workers feel safe, not only physically but mentally and socially, is increasingly recognized as crucial. With the directives of the International Labor Organization (I.L.O.) and pertinent legal regulations, the emphasis on occupational health is surging. Recently, low motivation and inefficiency in emergency workers have begun to manifest as organizational issues. Safe and healthy working environments for emergency personnel are imperative to minimize these problems and reduce work accidents and occupational diseases. This study posits that the occupational safety performance of emergency workers will augment their work engagement and job satisfaction. Additionally, it is hypothesized that job satisfaction will mediate the relationship between occupational safety performance and work engagement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A model delineating the relationship between occupational safety performance, job satisfaction, and work engagement among emergency personnel was established. Data were collected from 385 emergency personnel based in Istanbul, Turkiye, to assess their perceptions of occupational safety performance, work engagement, and job satisfaction. Using the snowball sampling method, a questionnaire comprising scales for occupational safety performance, job satisfaction, work engagement, and demographic questions was distributed.

RESULTS: Among emergency personnel, occupational safety performance exhibited a significant positive influence on both job satisfaction and work engagement. Furthermore, job satisfaction had a notable positive effect on work engagement. Crucially, the research indicated that job satisfaction mediated the relationship between occupational safety performance and work engagement.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that improving emergency sector occupational safety can boost employee engagement and work satisfaction. Job satisfaction mediates occupational safety performance and work engagement, underlining its importance in emergency workforces. These findings are essential for creating a secure and inspiring workplace for emergency workers and driving policies that emphasize their well-being.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The issue of occupational health and safety (O.H.S.) is paramount for emergency personnel who are consistently exposed to high-stress situations. Ensuring these workers feel safe, not only physically but mentally and socially, is increasingly recognized as crucial. With the directives of the International Labor Organization (I.L.O.) and pertinent legal regulations, the emphasis on occupational health is surging. Recently, low motivation and inefficiency in emergency workers have begun to manifest as organizational issues. Safe and healthy working environments for emergency personnel are imperative to minimize these problems and reduce work accidents and occupational diseases. This study posits that the occupational safety performance of emergency workers will augment their work engagement and job satisfaction. Additionally, it is hypothesized that job satisfaction will mediate the relationship between occupational safety performance and work engagement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A model delineating the relationship between occupational safety performance, job satisfaction, and work engagement among emergency personnel was established. Data were collected from 385 emergency personnel based in Istanbul, Turkiye, to assess their perceptions of occupational safety performance, work engagement, and job satisfaction. Using the snowball sampling method, a questionnaire comprising scales for occupational safety performance, job satisfaction, work engagement, and demographic questions was distributed.

RESULTS: Among emergency personnel, occupational safety performance exhibited a significant positive influence on both job satisfaction and work engagement. Furthermore, job satisfaction had a notable positive effect on work engagement. Crucially, the research indicated that job satisfaction mediated the relationship between occupational safety performance and work engagement.

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that improving emergency sector occupational safety can boost employee engagement and work satisfaction. Job satisfaction mediates occupational safety performance and work engagement, underlining its importance in emergency workforces. These findings are essential for creating a secure and inspiring workplace for emergency workers and driving policies that emphasize their well-being.

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Keywords

cultural safety; job satisfaction; occupational safety performance; occupational health and safety; occupational psychology

About this article
Title

Effects of occupational safety performance on work engagement of emergency workers: mediating role of job satisfaction

Journal

Disaster and Emergency Medicine Journal

Issue

Vol 9, No 1 (2024)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

23-35

Published online

2023-11-10

Page views

199

Article views/downloads

238

DOI

10.5603/demj.97462

Bibliographic record

Disaster Emerg Med J 2024;9(1):23-35.

Keywords

cultural safety
job satisfaction
occupational safety performance
occupational health and safety
occupational psychology

Authors

Gufte Caner Akin
Zeynep Feride Olcay
Murat Yildrim
Derya Cevik Tasdemir
Abdulkadir Yildiz
Lukasz Szarpak
Jaroslaw Chmielewski
Francesco Chirico

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