SAFETY PRACTICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN THE FAST MOVING AND CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY IN KENYA. A CASE STUDY OF PZ CUSSONS

Abstract

This study therefore sought to determine the influence of safety practices on organizational performance in the FMCG industry in Kenya, a case of PZ Cussons Kenya. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to assess the influence of safety; to examine the influence of safety audit; to find out the influence of safety leadership and to investigate the influence of safety policy on organizational performance in the FMCG industry in Kenya. The research was grounded on the social cognitive theory, safety climate theory and the domino/sequence of events theory. The research applied descriptive design to carry the study on a population of 215 top management workers, production personnel, marketing personnel as well as subordinate personnel of the PZ Cussons Kenya as provided by the Human Resource Department PZ Cussons. A sample size of 140 respondents was picked using the Yamane formulae of 1967. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data where descriptive statistics were employed in analyzing the data qualitatively and quantitatively. A regression model was also developed to show the relationship between the study variables. The study established that safety training had a positive significant impact on performance of an organization in the PZ Cussons Kenya, safety audit management practices helped the PZ Cussons Kenya meet its legal obligations and improve its performance. The organization had safety leaders across all teams and departments. The study also established that safety training enhances compliance on internal regulations and help the organization to meet its legal obligations. This study concluded that safety training practice, safety audit, safety leadership and safety policy practices all had a positive significant effect on organizational performance. The study recommends that there is need to for HR managers at FMCG industry to continually nature safety training and leadership. HR Managers needs to develop comprehensive safety Audit measures for hazard controls programs and workplace safety policies should be reviewed and revised regularly to reflect changes in organizational safety and health objectives. This study further recommends that an in-depth study should be done on the challenge facing the implementation of health and safety in FMCG industry in Kenya.