Occupational Safety Management, Working Conditions, and Economic Performance

Abstract

Occupational safety and health (OSH) represents a holistic approach to achieve zero accident vision. This can only be accomplished through systemic thinking by taking into account the plurality of interdependent factors. The aim of the study was to design an original model, which would explain how the occupational safety management (OSM) factors affected working conditions and economic performance of enterprises. The authors conducted an empirical, evidence-based research and found that the enterprises that developed a higher level of OSH consistently met the legal requirements in the area of OSH. Generally, those enterprises that had their own OSH department or committee and introduced OHSAS 18001 provided better working conditions and achieved higher economic performance. The presented model of OSM factors allowed the enterprise leaders and managers, as well as the policy creators to achieve more favorable working conditions, better economic performance of an enterprise, and contribute to a sustainable development of the society and environment.