Measuring the safety climate in China's chemical industry and investigating the influencing factors: A case study of a large enterprise

This study aims to analyze the overall safety climate in China's chemical industry and explore the factors affecting it. The scale used in this research was developed based on previous scales, adapted to the Chinese context. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were employed to categorize the scale into four dimensions: satisfaction, safety management, communication and training, and risk perception. Reliability analysis confirmed the consistency of the scale. The relationships among these four dimensions were elucidated using structural equation modeling (SEM), highlighting the critical role of communication and training in enhancing the safety climate. Additionally, multiple regression models demonstrated the positive impact of communication training, satisfaction, and safety management on employees' risk perception. Variance analysis and multiple comparisons identified high-risk groups, particularly employees aged 31-40 years, with education levels of junior high school or below, and those with 1-3 years of tenure, as having higher accident risks. An in-depth questionnaire analysis identified common issues affecting the safety climate in chemical enterprises, including knowledge monotony, stress, safety measures, management, and communication problems. The study provides practical recommendations to address these issues. This research is significant for the chemical industry, promoting advancements in workplace safety practices.