PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

Occupational accidents pose a significant challenge to Malaysia’s SME manufacturing sector, a critical driver of the national economy. This study investigates the impact of safety attitude, safety training, and safety knowledge on operatives’ safety behaviour, exploring the mediating role of safety knowledge. Using a cross-sectional survey design and structural equation modelling (SEM) with SmartPLS, all three factors significantly influenced safety behaviour. Notably, safety attitude and training directly impact safety behaviour, while safety knowledge acts as a mediator, enhancing their positive effect. This research provides valuable insights for promoting a safer working environment within the SME manufacturing sector, underscoring the importance of cultivating positive safety attitudes, delivering effective training, and ensuring a robust foundation of safety knowledge among operatives.

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