The Relationship Between Occupational Health and Safety Standards and Employees’ Job Performance at the Arabian Gulf Oil Company: A Field Study

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between occupational health and safety standards and employees’ job performance at the Arabian Gulf Oil Company. The study focused on three main dimensions: regulations, laws, monitoring, and emergency procedures; awareness and training programs; and protective equipment and accident-prevention tools. A descriptive-analytical approach was adopted, using a 36-item questionnaire as the primary data-collection instrument. A total of 600 questionnaires were distributed to employees working across several oil fields, laboratories, and administrative units affiliated with the company, of which 470 valid questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of approximately 78.3%. The data were analyzed using SPSS through descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha to assess the reliability of the research instrument, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and simple linear regression analysis. The findings indicated a high level of job performance, with a mean score of 2.48. The implementation levels of regulations, laws, monitoring, and emergency procedures; protective equipment and accident-prevention tools; and awareness and training programs were also high, with mean scores of 2.65, 2.50, and 2.43, respectively. The results further revealed statistically significant positive relationships between the occupational health and safety dimensions and job performance. The correlation coefficients were 0.744 for regulations, laws, monitoring, and emergency procedures; 0.919 for awareness and training; and 0.922 for protective equipment and accident-prevention tools, with all relationships being statistically significant at p < 0.001. The simple linear regression models showed explanatory proportions of 55.4%, 84.4%, and 85.0%, respectively, as indicated by the coefficients
of determination (R²).

The study concludes that there are statistically significant positive relationships between the implementation
of occupational health and safety dimensions and employees’ job performance at the Arabian Gulf Oil Company. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening occupational health and safety practices, particularly awareness and training programs, assessment of employees’ knowledge of workplace hazards, and the periodic updating of safety regulations and protective equipment.