Understanding the Mechanism Through Which Safety Management Systems Influence Safety Performance in Nigerian Power and Electricity Distribution Companies

The power and electricity (P & E) sector experiences a substantial number of occupational accidents, including in Nigeria. The implementation of a safety management system (SMS) to promote safety performance and mitigate occupational risks in this sector remains underreported. Therefore, we aimed to explore the factors influencing the safety performance of Nigeria’s P & E distribution companies by applying McGrath’s input–process–output model as a theoretical framework. We used SmartPLS 3.0 for structural equation modelling and SPSS Version 23 for preliminary data analysis. We included a sample of 222 organizations and found that management commitment to safety, safety communication, safety champions, and government regulations influence working conditions and safety performance to varying degrees. Employee involvement, safety training, and working conditions were significant factors affecting safety performance. Management commitment, employee involvement, safety communication, safety champions, and government regulations had significant indirect effects on safety performance through their influence on working conditions. Organizational and regulatory elements played a crucial role in shaping safety performance in high-risk environments. The results highlight vital areas to be considered when developing interventions to address P & E occupational accidents. The results can aid stakeholders in developing and implementing measures to improve workplace safety, including examining current SMSs and considering working conditions when implementing safety interventions.