Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana

Objective: This study assessed the safety climate, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of formally employed drivers at a Ghanaian university using validated instruments to identify critical gaps and opportunities for intervention. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 128 full-time drivers at the University of Cape Coast using the Nordic Occupational Safety Climate Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50) and a standardized OHS KAP instrument. Supplementary data were obtained from accident registers covering a three-year period. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and scale reliability assessments were performed. Results: While drivers demonstrated high awareness of safety protocols, actual safety practices were inconsistent, with low adherence to critical behaviours such as speed regulation and abstaining from alcohol or drugs while driving. The overall safety climate score was 2.74 ± 0.34, indicating a fairly low safety climate, particularly in peer-related dimensions such as safety commitment and communication. Commonly reported health concerns included stress (92.2%), low back pain (74.2%), and neck pain (56.3%), often linked to poor ergonomics and psychosocial pressures. Conclusion: Despite structured employment and access to training, formal sector drivers operate within an inadequate safety culture characterized by weak peer engagement, high occupational stress, and poor translation of knowledge into practice. The findings underscore the need for behaviour-centered, contextually grounded interventions, such as peer mentoring, gamified safety incentives, and participatory safety reviews, to transform the safety culture within institutional transport systems. Key words: occupational health and safety, safety management, attitude to health, motor vehicle operators, Ghana