Perceptions and practices of workplace safety and health among star rated hotels in Kota Kinabalu

Nur Afni Idayu Aziz (2011) Perceptions and practices of workplace safety and health among star rated hotels in Kota Kinabalu. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

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Abstract

Occupational safety and health is a vital issue in the workplace as it is strongly related to human behaviour and belief towards safety. Although hotels may seem to be a low risk workplace, accidents have occurred due to lack of safety awareness. The Malaysian Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) reported more than 500 cases every year from 2006 to 2008. The number of reported cases became higher in 2009 with a total of 1,164 injuries. This study aims to find out the perceptions and the reality of safety and health practices among hotel staff. A reciprocal theoretical framework has been drawn which is underpinned by Safety Triad Theory. A qualitative research using one-to-one interviews for data collection was conducted with 29 respondents comprising of staff from hotels ranging from 1 to 5-star. Each interview was transcribed, re-read and analysed by thematic analysis. Findings reveal that the majority of respondents feel safe when working in the hotels. Yet, a number of them admit to experiencing some form of stress due to rude guests and excessive workload. Some of them were afraid of machinery hazards in the kitchen while others were very concerned about physical illnesses. A few of them shared their anxiety on guests' items stolen and were worried about being treated with violence. Study shows that most of the hotels' staff in 3 to 5-star hotels are aware of the significance of workplace safety and health and emphasise was giving on safety practices. In contrast, it is an issue taken lightly by 1 and 2- star hotels' staff due to lack of safety concern and practices. Findings also showed many challenges such as staff behaviour towards safety, the absence of qualified staff in the safety field, lack of safety communication, and expensive cost of safety training, all of which have inclined the improvement of safety perceptions and practices. This study provides an insight on workplace safety and health among selected hotels' staff which can also serve to assist hotel management in improving and re-generating safety job performance among their staff. This study had been limited by the hotels' policy where the researcher had been prohibited to spend more time with the respondent

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Keyword: Workplace safety and health, perceptions and practices, hotel, qualitative study
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Department: SCHOOL > School of Business and Economics
Depositing User: SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS -
Date Deposited: 03 Dec 2013 12:12
Last Modified: 12 Oct 2017 11:03
URI: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/7699

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