An Assesment of Influence of Occupational Health and Safety on Employee Engagement in Public Entities

Abstract

Employee engagement provides organization with competitive edge against rivals. Engaged employees are loyal to the organization and there is higher possibility of staying for long time with higher productivity contributed be team spirit among employees. Employee engagement consist of number of factors which includes satisfaction with job, environment, culture and leadership in a particular organization. Working environment in totality may enhance employee engagement if it is safe and healthy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of occupational health and safety on employee engagement in public entities particularly in TANESCO – Dodoma region. Dodoma regional office of TANESCO was used as a case study where a simple random sample of 174 participants’ opinions was collected by questionnaire and interview. Data collected was analysed qualitatively by content analysis and quantitatively through multiple linear regression analysis with the aid of SPSS software version 27. The research findings underscore the pivotal role of safety awareness, reporting mechanisms, a safe workplace environment, and regular safety inspections in fostering heightened levels of employee engagement. Notably, a strong safety culture, facilitated by comprehensive awareness programs and effective reporting channels, positively influences employee commitment and participation. The study recommends the formulation and implementation of a robust safety policy within TANESCO, integrating safety metrics into performance assessments, and fostering collaborations with relevant stakeholders. These findings and recommendations contribute not only to the organizational dynamics of TANESCO but also hold broader implications for the energy sector, emphasizing the critical nexus between safety practices and employee engagement