Application of the ELMERI Observation Method for Occupational Health and Safety Performance Assessment in a Manufacturing Plant

Manufacturing workplaces involve hazards associated with machinery, material handling, worker practices, and environmental conditions. This study aimed to assess occupational health and safety conditions and identify priorities for improvement at a water fixture component manufacturing facility in Istanbul, Türkiye. A descriptive assessment was conducted using the ELMERI Observation Method across seven categories. A single researcher conducted observations three days per week from April to June 2021 and recorded 114 checklist-item ratings, comprising 74 correct and 40 incorrect classifications. Category-specific and overall safety indices were calculated from these counts. The overall index was 64.9%. Safety-related behavior had the highest category index (83.3%), followed by first aid and fire safety (71.4%), order and cleanliness (68.4%), and machine safety (66.7%). Lower indices were obtained for ergonomics (50.0%), industrial hygiene (44.4%), and floors and passageways (25.0%). The findings indicate that favorable ratings for observed worker practices coexisted with deficiencies in physical workplace conditions. Priorities included unobstructed passageways, machine guarding, ventilation, and ergonomic improvements. Unequal observation counts, potential observer bias, and the single-facility design limit interpretation and generalizability. The assessment identified practical priorities for the facility; the effectiveness of the proposed corrective actions requires follow-up evaluation.