OVERVIEW OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL AND WORKPLACE FACTORS AND INJURY RATES

This paper summarizes data from ten studies examining the relationship between organizational and workplace factors and injury rates. The st udies were identified from a systematic literature search, as well as from other sources, and were included if they reported comparisons amo ng at least 20 workplaces. Factors that were examined in at least two studies were identified. Their relationship with injury rates was dete rmined. It was nor possible to make quantitative comparisons between s tudies. We looked for 'consistency' or 'contradiction' in the relation ships, Among the variables 'consistency' associated with lower injury rates were: empowerment of the workforce (in general matters); delegat ion of safety activities; and an active role (in health and safety) of top management. Among the 'contradictory' variables were the level an d use of discipline for safety violations; and several others that wer e contradictory only in subgroups of the same study. We discuss the li mitations of synthesizing results from the diverse studies. (C) 1997 E lsevier Science Ltd.