Employees’ Complying with Occupational Health and Safety Rules: A Case Study in Tire Manufacturing Firm in Sri Lanka

Purpose: Employee disengagement and a lack of participation in establishing a safe and healthy workplace are bitter realities of the modern workplace. In this context, this study aims to explore how employees comply with the health and safety rules and regulations established by the selected tire manufacturing firm in Sri Lanka.

Methods: A qualitative research approach was applied. A well-known Sri Lankan organization in the tire manufacturing industry was used as the research setting for the purpose of data generation. Data has generated by using semi-structured interview techniques and analyzed based on thematic analysis. Data have collected from the sample of one managerial employee and five factory workers.

Findings: It is identified that the main reason for recurrent workplace accidents in this company is none other than the non-adherence to the health and safety rules and regulations by the employees. The exploratory findings were made through the three main factors of work environment, employee attitudes and management of the organization. As the main reasons for non-compliance of employees to the rules and regulations related to occupational health and safety are identified as; employee carelessness, using quick methods deviating from standard procedure and discomfort in using personal protective equipment.

Research Implications: The outcomes of this study will be more useful for the selected company to reduce industrial accidents and to create a safe working environment by eliminating the reasons for non-adherence. It will boost the employee satisfaction and through that, the company can increase productivity and performance. The findings of this study can also be used as a starting point by other businesses in the same sector for their inquiries regarding this topic.

Future Research Suggestions: Identified factors could be developed as a framework when applying a quantitative approach in future research.