Impact of Standard Operating Procedures on Accident Risk in the Transportation of Hazardous Materials: The Moderating Role of Aviation Safety and the Mediating Role of Accident Risk

Abstract

Background: Domestic shipments of dangerous goods in Indonesia have experienced several incidents involving human factors during identification, receiving, handling, marking, and placement.

Objective: The objective of the research was to empirically demonstrate (1) the role of standard operating procedures (SOP) as a moderator of accident risk and flight safety and (2) the effect of accident risk as a mediator between professional personnel, supervision, and information technology on flight safety.

Methodology: This research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilising data derived from questionnaire copies distributed to 320 respondents across five stakeholder groups and processed using the Smart-PLS4 data analysis tool.

Results. The output path coefficient results indicate a T-statistic of 1.712 and a p-value of 0.043, demonstrating a positive role of standard operating procedures as a moderator between accident risk and flight safety. However, it is not deemed highly significant. The mediating role of accident risk from various independent variables on flight safety is deemed positive and important, particularly concerning three variables: professional personnel, facilities and infrastructure, and supervision, evidenced by a t-statistic exceeding 1.96 and a p-value of ά <0.05. This indicates that the impact of accident risk as a mediating variable is more significant than that of standard operating procedures as a moderating factor in this study. Information technology has a positive impact on aviation safety mediated by accident risk.

Conclusion: The risk of accidents serves as a mediator that positively impacts the influence of professional staff, facilities, infrastructure, and aviation safety oversight, albeit with a minimal structural level of influence. The moderation of SOP is asserted to enhance the impact of accident risks on aviation safety.

Unique contribution: The research contributes to the literature regarding the role of SOPs as moderator variables that determine accident risk and flight safety.

Key Recommendation: Supervision is essential for every activity in the domestic shipping of dangerous goods. SOPs must also be provided for each company to ensure their suitability and implementation for all related staff.