DIFFERENCES IN SAFETY CULTURE AND SAFETY MOTIVATION AMONG DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS

In Turkey, the rate of fatal accidents per 100 thousand workers has been recorded as approximately 11 people per 100 thousand employees. The safety culture created in the workplaces, plays a significant role at reducing these rates. Employees with safety motivation are observed to exhibit positive safety behaviors. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the behaviors and attitudes of individuals belonging to different occupational groups towards safety culture and safety motivation. In this study, the scale conducted by Fung was applied to occupational groups in different sectors. Turkish adaptation and validity studies were carried out for the scales. In addition, ANOVA test, parametric tests, independent sample t test were used. The results of analyses have showed that the safety climate scale has a four-factor structure, and the safety motivation has a single-factor structure. When the safety attitude of the management, organization-al commitment and communication factors are examined in terms of occupational groups and sectors, it has been observed that academic sector has less organizational commitment and safety attitude than the other groups. However, when the analyzes between occupational groups and sectors were examined, no significant difference was found within the scope of safety motivation. In conclusion, the management or leaders who are involved in safety reduce the risk-taking rates of the employees. In addition, academicians and workers in educational sector show less safety attitude and have less organizational commitment.