Proceedings of ICLT 2024
EXAMINING ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS WAREHOUSE SAFETY BEHAVIOUR
Yan Weng Tan; Shalini Turiahdassu; Victor Seah; Maria Cecilia Rojas Lopez; Qitong Zhao
School of Business, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore; School of Business, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore; Behavioural Insights Centre of Excellence, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore; School of Business, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore; School of Business, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore
International Conference on Logistics & Transport 2024, Seoul, South Korea, pp. 60-67
Abstract
Purpose: Workplace accidents can have severe consequences ranging from the loss of life, permanent disability, legal liabilities, and work stoppages. Workers' attitudes and perceptions are key to preventing workplace accidents. This study examined how the attitudes and perceptions of warehouse personnel in Singapore affect their intention to practice safety at work. Design/methodology/approach: The study applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as the framework to model safety behaviour in warehouses. The TPB model's constructs - attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control ยท were measured using a set of survey items. To test the model framework against real data, data was collected in two phases: (1) pilot (or elicitation) survey and (2) main survey. Data was collected through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including online and in-person interviews Findings: The TPB model accounted for 62% of the variability in workers' intention to practice safety in the warehouse. Attitudes and subjective norms on practising safety significantly influenced the intention to practice safety, while perceived behavioural control did not. Workers from different cultural backgrounds may respond differently to safety practice and social norms. Research limitations: Future research should expand the sample size and recruit workers from different countries to study cross-national differences and assess the generalisability of the findings. Practical implications: Internationally, most organisations are cognisant of the importance of Workplace Safety and Health (WSH). This has led to the provision of adequate training and resources for WSH; broadly, workers have the resources to work safely. Our findings indicate that to further enhance WSH performance, organisations need to focus on worker attitudes and subjective norms as well as understand cultural differences. Originality/value: Few studies have applied the TPB framework to study safety behaviour in the logistics sector in Singapore. Even fewer have focused specifically on warehouse safety behaviour. Our findings highlight the significance of attitudinal and normative factors over perceived control in shaping safety intentions, providing valuable insights for WSH improvements in warehouses internationally.
Keywords
Workplace Safety and Health; Warehouse Sector; Theory of Planned Behaviour; Attitudes; Perceptions
Citation
Yan Weng Tan; Shalini Turiahdassu; Victor Seah; Maria Cecilia Rojas Lopez; Qitong Zhao (2024). EXAMINING ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS WAREHOUSE SAFETY BEHAVIOUR. Proceedings of the International Conference on Logistics & Transport (ICLT 2024), Seoul, South Korea, pp. 60-67.