Occupational Stress and Work Burnout as Predictors of Safety Performance and Safety Behaviour in the Niger Delta Oil and Gas Industry

Abstract

Occupational stress and work burnout may influence workers’ engagement in safe work practices and the safety performance of oil and gas organisations. This study investigated the impact of occupational stress and work burnout on the safety behaviour and safety performance of workers in oil and gas companies in the Niger Delta. A structured questionnaire was administered to 400 employees selected through random sampling, while the oil and gas companies were selected purposively. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16 and AMOS. The analysis revealed good internal consistency across all measures, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.72 to 0.83. A structural equation model was developed using IBM AMOS. Descriptive statistics (means, percentages, and weighted mean scores), correlation analysis, regression analysis, and structural equation modelling were used. These methods were suitable because they quantified respondents' opinions or perceptions of the constructs related to occupational stress, safety behaviour, and safety performance in the sampled oil and gas firms. Regarding safety performance, the coefficients for occupational stress (OCS) and work burnout (WB) were -0.389 and -0.317, respectively. Regarding safety behaviour, the corresponding coefficients were -0.452 and -0.374. Occupational stress and work burnout had significant negative impacts on workers' safety behaviour and safety performance. Overall, occupational stress and work burnout substantially and negatively affected safety performance and safety behaviour among workers in oil and gas firms in the Niger Delta. The findings indicate that safety behaviour plays a substantial mediating role in the impact of occupational stress and work burnout on the safety performance of oil and gas firms in the Niger Delta.