Effects of occupational safety performance on work engagement of emergency workers: mediating role of job satisfaction

INTRODUCTION: The issue of occupational health and safety (O.H.S.) is paramount for emergency personnel who are consistently exposed to high-stress situations. Ensuring these workers feel safe, not only physically but mentally and socially, is increasingly recognized as crucial. With the directives of the International Labor Organization (I.L.O.) and pertinent legal regulations, the emphasis on occupational health is surging. Recently, low motivation and inefficiency in emergency workers have begun to manifest as organizational issues. Safe and healthy working environments for emergency personnel are imperative to minimize these problems and reduce work accidents and occupational diseases. This study posits that the occupational safety performance of emergency workers will augment their work engagement and job satisfaction. Additionally, it is hypothesized that job satisfaction will mediate the relationship between occupational safety performance and work engagement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A model delineating the relationship between occupational safety performance, job satisfaction, and work engagement among emergency personnel was established. Data were collected from 385 emergency personnel based in Istanbul, Turkiye, to assess their perceptions of occupational safety performance, work engagement, and job satisfaction. Using the snowball sampling method, a questionnaire comprising scales for occupational safety performance, job satisfaction, work engagement, and demographic questions was distributed. RESULTS: Among emergency personnel, occupational safety performance exhibited a significant positive influence on both job satisfaction and work engagement. Furthermore, job satisfaction had a notable positive effect on work engagement. Crucially, the research indicated that job satisfaction mediated the relationship between occupational safety performance and work engagement. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that improving emergency sector occupational safety can boost employee engagement and work satisfaction. Job satisfaction mediates occupational safety performance and work engagement, underlining its importance in emergency workforces. These findings are essential for creating a secure and inspiring workplace for emergency workers and driving policies that emphasize their well-being.