Implementation of Digital-Based Occupational Safety and Health Education to Improve Safety Culture Among Generation Z Students in Manufacturing Laboratories

Abstract

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is a critical aspect in manufacturing laboratory activities, particularly in high-risk environments such as the Process Industry Manufacturing (PIM) Laboratory at Politeknik STMI Jakarta. However, the implementation of OSH among students, especially Generation Z, remains suboptimal, as reflected in low compliance with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage and inconsistent safety behavior. This study aims to analyze the levels of safety knowledge, awareness, and behavior, and to evaluate the effectiveness of digital-based education and campaign approaches in improving OSH culture. The research employs a descriptive method with data collected through structured questionnaires using a Likert scale (1–5), measuring variables including safety knowledge, safety awareness, safety behavior, PPE compliance, and work environment. Data analysis was conducted using validity and reliability tests to assess instrument quality. The results indicate significant improvements across all variables after the implementation of digital-based education, with validity values increasing from 0.282 to 0.713 for safety knowledge, 0.394 to 0.766 for safety awareness, 0.271 to 0.746 for safety behavior, 0.249 to 0.724 for PPE compliance, and 0.258 to 0.738 for work environment. Reliability values also improved substantially, indicating enhanced internal consistency. These findings demonstrate that digital-based education effectively enhances students’ understanding, awareness, and safety behavior. Therefore, this approach has strong potential to be implemented as a sustainable strategy for improving OSH culture and reducing workplace risks, particularly in manufacturing environments.