Benchmarking safety climate in hazardous environments: A longitudinal, interorganizational approach

Citation
K. Mearns et al., Benchmarking safety climate in hazardous environments: A longitudinal, interorganizational approach, RISK ANAL, 21(4), 2001, pp. 771-786
Citations number
51
Categorie Soggetti
Sociology & Antropology
Journal title
RISK ANALYSIS
ISSN journal
02724332 → ACNP
Volume
21
Issue
4
Year of publication
2001
Pages
771 - 786
Database
ISI
SICI code
0272-4332(200108)21:4<771:BSCIHE>2.0.ZU;2-R
Abstract
Safety climate is an important element of organizational reliability. This study applied benchmarking strategies for monitoring safety climate across nine North Sea oil and gas installations that were surveyed in consecutive years. Examination of absolute changes in safety climate complemented the b enchmarking approach. Discriminant function analyses (DFA) identified the e lements of safety climate predictive of self-reported accidents; correlatio nal analyses were applied to the scale scores and accident proportions acro ss the year period. Absolute improvements were substantial, with safety cli mate profiles converging in the second year. Large relative improvements we re also observed. DFA highlighted perceived management commitment to safety and willingness to report accidents as significant predictors of personal accident involvement. Changes in perceived management commitment to safety were closely associated with changes in safety behavior.