Evaluating the Relationship between Health, Safety, and Environment Culture (HSEC) and Occupational Health and Safety Literacy (OHS Literacy): A Comparison of Two Structural Equation Modeling Approaches

Background and Objectives: Health, Safety, and Environment Culture (HSEC) shapes employees’ awareness, attitudes, and behaviors toward occupational risks. Occupational Health and Safety Literacy (OHSL) is a key determinant of accident prevention, well-being, and regulatory compliance. Understanding the HSEC–OHSL relationship is essential for organizational performance and worker safety. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) offers tools to investigate such relationships; however, researchers face the choice between covariance-based SEM (CB-SEM) and partial least squares SEM (PLS-SEM). By contrasting these approaches, this study contributes to the theoretical understanding of safety culture and literacy and informs methodological decisions in occupational health research.Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of personnel at Shahid Hasheminejad Gas Refining Company (Khangiran) (n = ۴۱۰) using cluster sampling. Instruments included demographic checklists and validated HSEC and OHSL questionnaires. Data were analyzed with PLS-SEM (SmartPLS) and CB-SEM (AMOS) to compare approaches in estimating relationships and underlying factor structures. Model fit, factor loadings, (R۲), and predictive relevance were evaluated.Results:  Mean scores were ۷۸.۶۶ ± ۲۰.۷۳ for HSEC and ۷۴.۶۷ ± ۱۲.۹۴ for OHSL (۰–۱۰۰ scale). Both SEM approaches showed a significant positive association: (rPLS=۰.۶۸) and (rCB=۰.۷۰). In PLS-SEM, factor loadings were higher than in CB-SEM. Based on loadings and (R۲), the most influential OHSL facet was the use of health and safety information; for HSEC, on-the-job training and human factors were prominent. In CB-SEM, the communications factor had the highest loading.Conclusion: Our findings support a positive HSEC–OHSL interrelationship, contributing to workplace safety and organizational performance. Overall, high levels of HSEC and OHSL suggest a foundation for promoting safe practices and continuous safety-management improvement. Enhancing both culture and literacy may yield synergistic effects for a safer, more productive work environment.

کلیدواژه ها:

Structural equation modeling ، Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling ، Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modeling ، Health ، Safety ، and Environment Culture ، Occupational Health and Safety Literacy