From Safety to Well-Being: A Conceptual Examination of Safety Climate, Psychosocial Risks, and Employee Fatigue in Malaysia's Oil and Gas Industry
List of Authors
Benjamin Emmanuel, Nur Sofia Nabila Alimin, Suhaidah Hussain
Keyword
Employee Fatigue, Safety Climate, Psychosocial Risks, Oil and Gas Industry, Job Demands-Resources Theory
Abstract
This conceptual paper explores the complex interplay between safety climate, psychosocial risks, and employee fatigue in Malaysia’s oil and gas sector, where fatigue remains a prevalent occupational health challenge, particularly in high-risk industries characterised by extended shifts, physical hazards, and psychological stressors. Guided by the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory, the paper investigates how safety climate, as an organisational resource, and psychosocial risks, as job demands, converge to influence employee fatigue. Through an extensive review of literature and empirical insights, the study proposes a multidimensional conceptual framework that highlights the predictive role of safety climate and psychosocial risks in the onset and escalation of fatigue. To test the relationships between these variables, the methodology involves a quantitative survey using a structured questionnaire, targeting employees in both upstream and downstream sectors, with data analysis performed through structural equation modeling (SEM). Expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to fatigue, identification of high-risk groups within the workforce, and evidence-based recommendations for organisational reforms and policy changes aimed at mitigating fatigue. Furthermore, the paper identifies critical research gaps and advocates for targeted interventions, contributing to the broader field of occupational safety theory and practice. By offering an integrated, context-specific model tailored to the unique dynamics of Malaysia’s energy sector, this work aims to provide actionable insights for improving workplace health and safety standards.