Strategic Role of Human Resource Management in Enhancing Occupational Health and Safety Practices in Business Schools in India

Download Article

DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.13.02.Art083

Authors : Vettriselvan R., Deepa Rajesh, R. K. Gayathri, Rajani Balakrishnan, Raj Kumar, Kavitha J

Abstract:

The managerial practices of human resources significantly contribute to improving Occupational Health and Safety practices across educational institutions, especially within business schools. Educational campuses have developed into comprehensive systems where protecting students and faculty members alongside staff represents a priority mandate. The research investigates how HRM strategies create safety-focused, sustainable learning facilities throughout Indian business school buildings. The research employed a mixed approach to gather data and received 150 valid responses from administrative staff and faculty members, as well as support personnel, through stratified random sampling. Data collection occurred through structured questionnaires and interviews, with the Garrett ranking method used to recognize significant HRM practices. The research shows strategic human resources management practices lead to better workplace safety when they involve significant employee safety training, along with enforceable health policies and safety task forces and check-ups, and wellness initiatives. Leadership communication consistency helps create a strong safety culture throughout an operating organization. Organizations that unite OHS with HR strategies achieve decreased absenteeism levels and superior health results alongside improved employee quality of life at work. The study presents three necessary OHS elements for business schools, including OHS task assignment through human resource procedures, along with ongoing safety training and the implementation of technological assessment systems. Integrating OHS with strategic HRM allows business schools to build learning and working areas that deliver both safety and sustainability alongside health promotion.

References:

[1].   Altaee, M. A., Saleh, R. A. S., AlZeer, I., & Tunsi, W.,2024, The impact of green human resources management practices on the organizational ambidexterity: Jordan food and drug administration case study. In Artificial Intelligence and Economic Sustainability in the Era of Industrial Revolution 5.0 Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 1095-1107.

[2].   Bansal, A., Mukherjee, S., & Prayag, G., 2025, From crisis to care: Redesigning work and jobs for employee well-being in hospitality and tourism, Tourism and Hospitality Research.

[3].   Benson, C., Obasi, I. C., Akinwande, D. V., & Ile, C., 2024, The impact of interventions on health, safety and environment in the process industry, Heliyon10(1).

[4].   Chatterjee, S., Chaudhuri, R., & Vrontis, D., 2025, Creating organizational value and sustainability through green HR practices: An innovative approach with the moderating role of top management support. Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility34(1), 17-31.

[5].   Cooper, C. L., Patnaik, S., & Rodriguez, R. V., (Eds.). 2025, Advancing Positive Organizational Behaviour. Taylor & Francis.

[6].   Ghosh, A., Sharma, R., Khan, S., & Jangbahadur, U., 2025, Exploring human resource management practices and employee retention relationships in FHRAI hotels of West Bengal. International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking19(4), 513-530.

[7].   Jiang, Y., Zaman, S. I., Jamil, S., Khan, S. A., & Kun, L., 2024, A triple theory approach to link corporate social performance and green human resource management. Environment, development and sustainability26(6), 15733-15776.

[8].   Kalia, P., Singla, M., & Kaushal, R., 2024, Human resource management practices and employee retention in the Indian textile industry. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management73(11), 96-121.

[9].   Kunodzia, R., Bikitsha, L. S., & Haldenwang, R., 2024, Perceived factors affecting the implementation of occupational health and safety management systems in the South African construction industry. Safety10(1), 5.

[10].  Mahesh, K. M., Aithal, P. S., & Sharma, K. R. S., 2024, Green HRM and teaching sustainability in higher education institutions: for promoting sustainable education and sustainable development goals. Education (IJCSBE)8(1), 261-271.

[11].  Odonkor, S. T., & Sallar, A. M., 2024, Occupational health and safety knowledge, attitudes and practices among healthcare workers in Accra, Ghana. Scientific African24:e02130.

[12].  Rajindra, R., 2024, Unleashing Synergies: Interplay between Human Resource Management, Strategic Marketing, and Corporate Financial Performance. Atestasi: Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi7(1), 210-247.

[13].  Ramachandaran, S.D., 2024, Human Resource Management Strategies for Engagement and Talent Attraction in Hybrid Work Models. Journal of Ecohumanism, 3(5), 1286-1296.

[14].  Rana, G., & Arya, V., 2024, Green human resource management and environmental performance: mediating role of green innovation–a study from an emerging country, Foresight26(1), 35-58.

[15].  Rolla, A., 2025, Talent Management in Learning Organizations: Designing Curriculum for Business Schools. In Handbook of Talent Management and Learning Organizations, CRC Press, 85-104.

[16].  Sankar, S. S., Anandh, K. S., & Prasanna, K.,2024, Safety leadership: A catalyst for positive safety climate on construction sites. Buildings14(6), 1806.

[17].  Shah, I. A., & Mishra, S., 2024, Artificial intelligence in advancing occupational health and safety: An encapsulation of developments. Journal of Occupational Health66(1):uiad017.

[18].  Singh, A.,2024, Quality of Work-Life Practices in the Indian Hospitality Sector: Future Challenges and Prospects. Human Relations Management in Tourism, 208-224.

[19].  Thakur, R. A., Talukdar, M., Iyer, S., Liu, L. C., Chen, C. L., & Singh, A., 2025, AI and Employee Well-Being: Assessing the Ethical Implications of AI-Driven Human Resource Practices in Indian Universities. Journal of Ecohumanism4(1), 2338-2351.

[20].  Vettriselvan, R., & Ramya, R.,2025, Sustainable Curriculum Design and Development: A Comprehensive Approach. In Smart Education and Sustainable Learning Environments in Smart Cities IGI Global Scientific Publishing(pp. 471-486).

[21].  Walters, D., James, P., & Johnstone, R., 2025, Fundamental principles and realities of practice: work health and safety in low-and middle-income countries. Work in the Global Economy5(1):120-143.

[22].  Yadav, P., 2025, Implementing Sustainable Human Resource Management Practices in Higher Education Institutions: A Case Study Approach. In Green HRM Awareness and Training in Higher Education Institutions, IGI Global, (pp. 99-110).