The Investigation of Safety Behavior in Logistic Companies of Malaysia

Abstract. In Malaysia, industrialization and population growth have both contributed to an increase in workplace occupational injuries. The most recent statistics on reported accidents show that out of 10,000 employees, 99 have been directly involved in work-related accidents. Accidents do not occur by chance, thus there are multiple factors which are contributing to workplace accidents. It is important to spread safety awareness to employees inside the organization. The main objective of the current study is to investigate the relationship between safety leadership, supervisor safety roles and safety behavior in logistics companies of Malaysia. The study respondents included 160 employees from logistics companies of Malaysia. A partial least square equation modeling “Higher Order Two-Stage Approach” analysis was performed to assess the measurement and structural model involving variables of safety leadership, supervisor safety roles and safety behavior to draw the results. The results of the study revealed that safety leadership roles imposed by the managers have a significant effect on safety behavior, mediated by supervisors’ safety roles. Therefore, the findings of the study suggest that safety leadership and supervisor safety roles be implemented in logistics companies. These make employees more inclined to take part in safety initiatives which can make the workplace safer.