Mediating Roles of Safety Behaviour Indicators on the Impact of Occupational Stress and Work Burnout among Oil Workers in Niger Delta Area
Odunze, Chimezie Edwin *
Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (COHSE), University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi
Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Ejikeme Ugwoha
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study examined the mediating roles of safety behaviour indicators in the effects of occupational stress and work burnout on safety performance among oil workers in the Niger Delta area. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 16 and AMOS. A random sampling technique was used to select three states, while purposive sampling was used to select six oil and gas companies operating in Uyo, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Obio/Akpor. The study adopted descriptive and inferential research designs. The Scale Reliability Analysis tool in SPSS was used to calculate Cronbach's alpha coefficients and assess the internal consistency of the research constructs. The analysis indicated good internal consistency across all measures, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.72 to 0.83. A structural equation model was developed using IBM AMOS. The mediation analysis showed that safety behaviour significantly mediated the effects of occupational stress and work burnout on safety performance (p < 0.001). Occupational stress and work burnout were operationalised using work-related stressors and symptoms. Safety behaviour was measured using safety participation and safety compliance, while safety performance was measured using reduced accident occurrence and reduced near-miss occurrence. Safety participation and safety compliance completely mediated the effect of work burnout on reduced near-miss occurrence, whereas the remaining pathways showed partial mediation. Overall, occupational stress and work burnout negatively affected workers' safety performance and safety behaviour in the selected oil and gas firms. The findings indicate that safety behaviour mediates the effects of occupational stress and work burnout on safety performance. The study recommends suitable, low-stress work routines and schedules to reduce work-related stress and burnout, improve workers' safety behaviour, and ultimately reduce accident occurrence.
Keywords: Occupational stress, work burnout, safety behaviour, safety performance, safety participation, safety compliance, near-miss occurrence, accident occurrence, oil and gas workers