Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety Management: Implications for Corporate Performance in the Secondary Sector
Stavroula Mixafenti, Antonia Moutzouri, Aristi Karagkouni, Maria F. Sartzetaki, Dimitrios Dimitriou
Abstract
Management of occupational health and safety (OHS) plays a critical role in building safe and effective working environments, especially in industries defined by dangerous operations like manufacturing. Secondary industries are characterized by their use of dangerous materials, complex machinery, and repetitive manual work, prompting the need for stringent OHS laws to protect employees and support business sustainability. Although extensive regulatory materials like ISO 45001 and EU Directive 89/391/EEC exist, the implementation of OHS standards varies among organizations significantly. While larger organizations adopt structured frameworks of safety management, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are often confronted by economic and technical constraints. As a result, policies only appear on paper, and their attitude toward occupational safety is passive. Employing a structured survey analysis, this study evaluates the level at which manufacturing companies in Macedonia-Thrace, a region in Northern Greece, implement OHS actions, the barriers that face them, and how OHS programs influence business performance. Based on the findings, companies that apply proactive OHS practices achieve more productivity, increased staff retention, and lower costs due to accidents, while SMEs often find it difficult to undertake comprehensive policies. The research further identifies the impact of electronic technology, regulation, and leadership on enhancing OHS performance. This study provides evidence-based recommendations on policy changes through the exploration of regionalized patterns of adoption of OHS practices by industrial companies and key policy intervention areas. By eliminating underlying structural loopholes in the implementation of OHS, this paper provides research-backed policy solutions aimed at enhancing work safety and improving corporate performance in the secondary industry. The reinforcement of OHS measures not only reduces hazards at the workplace but also improves the resilience of business, its competitiveness, and conformity to regulations.