Effects of the Number of Workers Exposed to Industrial Machines and the Level of Workers' Safety Behavior on the Occurrence of Industrial Accidents

摘要

This study was conducted to analyze the association of the occurrence of industrial accidents with the number of workers exposed to industrial machines, and the level of workers' safety behavior. Our aim was to confirm if the number of workers exposed to industrial machines is positively associated with the occurrence of industrial accidents, and if the level of workers' safety behavior moderates the relationship between the number of workers exposed to industrial machines and the occurrence of industrial accidents. Logistic regression analysis was performed using the occurrence of industrial accidents as the dependent variable; the number of workers exposed to industrial machines as the independent variable; the level of workers' safety behavior as the moderating variable, and the number of workers as well as the presence of risk factors, a safety management organization, safety and health education, a labor union, and safety culture as the control variables. A total of 2,000 manufacturing workplaces from the 2015 Occupational Safety and Health Company Survey were sampled. Analysis results showed that the number of workers exposed to industrial machines (Wald=9.498, p<.01) and the level of workers' safety behavior (Wald=11.985, p<.01) affected the occurrence of industrial accidents. The occurrence of industrial accidents increased as the number of workers exposed to industrial machines increased, and decreased as the level of workers' safety behavior increased. The number of workers (Wald=10.064, p<.01), risk factors (Wald=10.808, p<.01) and the presence of a labor union (Wald=4.932, p<.05) also affected the occurrence of industrial accidents. Therefore, measures to prevent workers' exposure to industrial machines, and increase the level of workers' safety behavior must be taken to reduce the number of industrial accidents. The results of this study are meaningful in that they provide implications for the establishment and implementation of safety and health policies, at the government and workplace level.