Identification of Influencing Factors on OHS in Manufacturing Companies Using a Grounded Theory

Background: Over the last few decades, organizations' productivity and occupational health and safety (OHS) performance have improved as a result of the adoption of innovative manufacturing technologies and new management approaches. Despite these improvements, OHS performance in developing nations remains unsatisfactory, and further research is needed to ascertain the factors that influence OHS performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing OHS in Iranian manufacturing companies. Methods Twelve informants, including OHS inspectors and managers, were interviewed individually for this qualitative study. The interviews were semi-structured, and the data were analyzed using the grounded theory method. Results Management commitment, safety culture, OHS training, OHS regulations, economic and political issues, social factors, as well as personal and occupational factors have all been identified. Conclusion The findings emphasize the importance of identifying OHS influencing factors in order to improve manufacturing firms' OHS status. Given the limited financial resources available to companies, government assistance and effective OHS training may help in promoting OHS status. Efforts to improve safety culture and to enforce OHS regulations may have an effect on a company's OHS status.