The relationship between safety climate and safety performance among Malaysian seafarers’ with knowledge and skill as the mediator / Suzanna Razali Chan

Shipping is the main transportation of goods, as it can carry a large quantity of goods and save cost. Thus, it is crucial to ensure the safety of seafarers, goods and the ship in reaching the destination safely. The increasing number of maritime incidents globally and locally has drawn a crucial need for this research to be conducted. There is an urgent need for better understanding of the seafarers’ safety climate and how it affects their performance. Thus, the adoption of a strategic approach is needed in planning and improving safety climate among seafarers as it is considered a leading indicator of safety performance. This research aimed to study the relationship of safety climate components towards safety performance. It specifically studied on Malaysian seafarers in Peninsular Malaysia as the representative for the whole seafarers in Malaysia. This research is based on the data obtained from survey questionnaire that polled seafarers’ perception regarding safety climate at their workplace. The study covered a sample of 233 seafarers working on board ships in Peninsular Malaysia who participated in a cross-sectional survey. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science and Partial Leased Squared – Structural Equation Modelling to examine the factors and its level of significance that influence safety performance with knowledge and skill as the mediator. The research suggested that training appears to be the factor that has significant direct and indirect relationship with safety performance. The results of the study also suggested that a holistic strategic approach is needed for the seafarers, focusing on training, safety focus and safety communication and feedback to enhance safety performance. It is expected that the study can contribute to the mitigation of maritime incidents in Malaysia.