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Risk Perception and Antecedents of Safe Behaviour in Workers at a Garment Factory in Mexico

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Preventing Health and Environmental Risks in Latin America

Abstract

This chapter is based on field research. The job hazards in a garment factory were identified, and then the risk perception of members of the production area was assessed. To do that, we developed and validated the Textile Industry Risk Perception Scale , which is composed of two factors: (a) Perceived risk of accident and (b) Perceived risk of ergonomic hazards. The differences and similarities between these factors and their relation to productivity, occupational grouping and gender were analysed. We found some significant differences: Operators perceived greater risk than supervisors and indirect personnel. In addition, the greater their productivity, the less likely it is that operators will perceive that they are at risk of accidents at work. We discuss the importance of identifying job hazards for personnel training systems, and the development of a culture of safety in workplaces.

Dr. Lorena R. Pérez Floriano, Researcher-Professor, El Colegio de la Frontera Norte. Email: lperezfloriano@gmail.com.

Julieta Amada Leyva Pacheco, M.Sc., Teacher, Universidad Estatal de Sonora-Hermosillo. Email: jleyvap@yahoo.com.mx.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The data for this study stem from the Master’s thesis of the second author.

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Correspondence to Lorena R. Pérez Floriano .

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Pérez Floriano, L.R., Pacheco, J.A.L. (2018). Risk Perception and Antecedents of Safe Behaviour in Workers at a Garment Factory in Mexico. In: Marván, M., López-Vázquez, E. (eds) Preventing Health and Environmental Risks in Latin America. The Anthropocene: Politik—Economics—Society—Science, vol 23. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73799-7_16

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