The Role of Psychological Safety and Employee Engagement in Improving Workplace Safety

It explores the importance of psychological safety and employee engagement in creating a safe environment at work. Traditional occupational safety approaches have mostly focused on technical measures and compliance with legal regulations. However, recent research shows that psychological factors also play a critical role in developing occupational safety culture. While psychological safety enables employees to report potential dangers without fear of sanctions, employee engagement strengthens the safety culture by increasing commitment to safety policies and practices. Employees in workplaces with a high level of psychological safety can express risks and dangers more quickly, encouraging a proactive approach to preventing work accidents. Individuals with high employee commitment internalize safety procedures and make safe behavior the norm. This study comprehensively discusses the effects of psychological safety and employee commitment on occupational safety culture through case studies, surveys, and focus group discussions. Research conducted in the construction, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors reveals the impact of these two factors on the sustainability of safety culture and the reduction of occupational accidents. Research findings emphasize that strategies that promote psychological safety, increase employee loyalty, and strengthen safety communication should be developed to strengthen the safety culture. In this context, it is recommended that management adopt a holistic safety management strategy that supports social and psychological approaches to ensure safety in the workplace.