BARRIERS, CHALLEGNES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN SERBIA: CASE STUDY APPROACH

Abstract

Paper aims is analysis of the current situation in SME in Serbia, identification, analyse and description of the main barriers to the management of OHS in SMEs in Serbia and points to the possibilities of overcoming barriers. Based on interviews and observations, results indicate that the different groups at different hierarchical levels experience different types of barriers. Main barriers in SMEs in Serbia were classified into four categories: lack of top management support, financial capability, lack of employee’s skill and expertise and organizational culture. The number of barriers increases with the size of the enterprise. Also, in this paper authors presented the key factors that affect health and safety at work in SMEs. The most important are: management commitment, air safety, competence and motivation of employees, training and education in the field of security, the implementation of regulations in the field of OHS etc.