Background: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are often the main pillar of an economy. Minor accidents,ergonomics problems, old and outdated machinery, and lack of awareness have created a needfor implementation of safety practices in SMEs. Implementation of healthy working conditions createspositive impacts on economic and social development.Methods: In this study, a questionnaire was developed and administered to 30 randomly chosen SMEs inand around Mumbai, Maharashtra, and other states in India to evaluate safety practices implemented intheir facilities. The study also looked into the barriers and drivers for technology innovation and suggestionswere also received from the respondent SMEs for best practices on safety issues.Results: In some SMEs, risks associated with safety issues were increased whereas risks were decreasedin others. Safety management practices are inadequate in most SMEs. Market competitiveness, betterefficiency, less risk, and stringent laws were found to be most significant drivers; and financial constraints,lack of awareness, resistance to change, and lack of training for employees were found to bemain barriers.Conclusion: Competition between SMEs was found to be major reason for implementation of safetypractices in the SMEs. The major contribution of the study has been awareness building on safety issuesin the SMEs that participated in the project.
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