Title:
Evaluating the Efficiency of Occupational Safety and Health Systems in New York's Small and Mid-size Enterprises

Authors:
Dr. Robb Shawe, USA

Abstract:

This study assesses the effectiveness of occupational safety and health (OSH) systems in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in New York State. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design combined a survey of 200 SMEs (response rate 40%) with 20 semi-structured interviews. The study measured incident rate (OSHA recordables per 200,000 hours), safety leadership, training adequacy, and OSH resource allocation. Multivariable linear models were used to assess the associations between organizational practices and incident rates, adjusting for factors such as size, sector, union status, and location in New York City. Diagnostics examined multicollinearity, residual properties, and influence. Safety leadership (β ≈ −0.29, p < .01) and OSH resource allocation (β ≈ −0.24, p < .05) were associated with lower incident rates; training adequacy showed a smaller, non-significant association with incident rates (p = .078). Models explained ~40–45% of outcome variance and remained robust in sensitivity analyses (sector fixed effects, NYC stratification, trimmed extremes). Interviews triangulated the quantitative results, highlighting visible leadership engagement, participatory safety committees, and digital reporting as practical enablers of safer performance. Findings indicate that leadership and targeted resourcing are key correlates of improved OSH outcomes among New York SMEs. Policy and practice implications include scalable, leadership-centred approaches that accommodate SME constraints.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijaemr.2025.1513