Relationship between Worker Participation in the Implementation of Safety Standards and Employee’s Performance in Textile Manufacturing Companies in Selected Counties in Kenya

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of workers participation in implementation of safety standards in textile manufacturing companies in Kenya. Theories that anchored the study include: Heinrich domino theory, Human factor theory, behavioral based Safety theory, system theory and social exchange theory. Methods: The target population included all the 22 textile manufacturing companies in the export processing zone. This study sampled 400 respondents and adopted a descriptive cross sectional research design. Data was collected using questionnaire and key informant’s interviews and coded for computerized data entry. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential analysis which were done using statistical package for social Sciences. Inferential statistics was carried out by the use of multiple regression analysis to determine the significance of the independent variable and moderating variable in respect of employee performance in textile industries in Kenya. Hypothesis testing was carried out using t-test. Result: Inferential statistical analysis revealed that there was a correlation between worker’s participation and employee performance (r = 0.701). Conclusion: The study concluded that workers participation in implementation of safety standards if properly utilized contributes to improved employee performance in textile manufacturing companies in Kenya. The study recommends that textile manufacturing companies should conduct periodic safety training and awareness of safety standards among their employees. Well-structured policies should be formulated and enforced to ensure compliance among employees. It further recommended that workers should be involved in decision making of safety standards.