Workforce Productivity and Safety Routines in Selected Freight Logistics Firms in Port Harcourt.

This study examines the relationship between workforce productivity and safety in Nigerian logistics operations, with a focus on freight logistics and forwarding firms in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The research adopts a cross-sectional design and collects quantitative data from 152 employees using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The study is grounded in Scientific Management Theory (Taylorism) and Safety Climate Theory, providing a framework to explore how structured work processes and employees’ perceptions of safety jointly influence productivity. Data analysis using the Chi-square test reveals a significant association between safety practices—such as regular safety training, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), enforcement of safety policies, and provision of hazard-free work environments—and workforce productivity. The findings highlight that effective safety management enhances employee efficiency, reduces operational disruptions, and improves overall performance. The study addresses a gap in Nigerian logistics research by integrating productivity and safety as interconnected constructs, offering evidence-based insights for logistics managers, policymakers, and industry practitioners to optimize operational performance while ensuring employee well-being.