Effects of Safety Climate on Perceptions of Safety Performance in Container Terminal Operations

Abstract

This study empirically examined the effects of safety climate on container operation terminal employees’ perceptions of safety performance in Kaohsiung Port in Taiwan using the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique. Factor analysis and a series of validity and reliability tests were conducted, which resulted in the identification of three critical safety climate dimensions, namely supervisor safety behaviour management, safety training programmes and co‐workers’ safety behaviour. There was a positive significant relationship between these three dimensions and safety performance. Results suggest that container operation terminals’ management can enhance and refine these firms’ safety climate by focusing especially on managing safety behaviour, safety training programmes and co‐workers’ safety behaviour, thereby reducing injuries and accidents.

Acknowledgements

This research was sponsored by the National Science Council, Taiwan, ROC, under NSC 93‐2416‐H‐006‐019.