Structural analysis of factors that influence the perception and effectiveness of occupational health and safety policies in the university environment

Abstract

This study examines Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) at a Peruvian public university, recognizing its importance as a key component of workplace well-being and institutional quality. The objective of this study was to analyze the factors influencing safety perceptions and the perceived effectiveness of OHS policies using a structural equation model estimated through partial least squares (PLS-SEM), complemented by an importance–performance map analysis (IPMA). The sample included 178 civil servants, 13 members of the OHS Committee, and 82 brigade members (teachers and students). The results reveal that regulatory compliance, OHS knowledge, and institutional safety culture significantly contribute to explaining safety perceptions and the effectiveness of OHS policies. Although training was highly rated, its impact on perceived safety and policy effectiveness was limited. The results underscore the need to prioritize knowledge about OHS and a culture of preventive safety as key factors for university well-being and sustainable institutional development, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).