Abstract:
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is a precondition to protect the workers’ health
whilst fulfilling the social responsibilities. The role of research in improving working
conditions is gaining a new impetus. Thus OHS management systems like OHSAS
18001:2007 is one result of this concern. Even though many organizations in Sri Lanka
have gained this certification but still safe and sound OHS practices are questionable. Thus
it is crucial to evaluate the OHS of an OHSAS certified organization. Nevertheless studies in
concern to OHS in the food industry are limited. This study was conducted to access the
OHS practices in the food industry in compliance to OHSAS 18001:2007 and to measure
the perception of workers on OHS practices. One hundred and thirty two (132) industrial
workers and 46 supervisors and executives of a fruit and vegetable processing factory
were selected. The study revealed poor accomplishments in certain requirements of
OHSAS 18001:2007 like Communication, Participation and Consultation, Documentation,
Emergency Response, Incident Investigation, Non-conformity and Corrective action and
Preventive action and Continual Improvement. Practices like proposing innovative
methods in risk reduction and reporting near misses were poorly performed by the
workers. Majority of the industrial workers have encountered minor injuries (68%). Weak
relationships were found between safety performance and educational level of the
workers, working experience, and attendance of the OHS trainings, safety communication
among co-workers, safety communication between supervisors and workers. However,
long working hours, Hazard Identification, Training and Competence showed a moderate
relationship with safety performance. The most dominant factor that affects safety
performance was the Top Management Commitment which was strongly correlated with
safety performance. The major constraints identified in promoting the OHS were
Organizational constraints (Lack of trainings) and dispositional characteristics of the
workers (Staffs’ habitual practices). Thus the study revealed that the food industry in Sri
Lanka should focus more and strengthen their policies regarding safety concerns.
