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Mathisen GE, Tjora T. Safety voice climate: A psychometric evaluation and validation. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2023; 86:174-184. [PMID: 37718044 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2023.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Speaking up about safety issues, termed "safety voice," is a proactive response where people across all levels of the organization express their concerns to prevent physical hazards. An understanding of safety voice requires insight into its antecedents. A perceived need to fit in with the organization and fear of consequences can trump the courage to speak out about safety concerns. Safety voice climate can be seen as a manifestation of the social exchanges in an organization and functions as a roadmap of which speaking out behaviors are encouraged and which behaviors are not. This study conceptualizes safety voice climate, presents the Safety Voice Climate Scale (SVCS) as a measurement tool, and gathers initial evidence for its validity. The study also assesses the associations between the SVCS and safety voice behavior. METHOD The SVCS and the measurement of safety voice behavior were derived from the Trends in Risk Level in the Norwegian Petroleum Activity questionnaire. The SVCS includes the two theoretical dimensions Work colleagues' encouragement of safety voice and Leaders' attitudes towards safety voice. Psychometric properties were tested with a representative sample from the Norwegian petroleum sector (n = 7,624). RESULTS Confirmatory factor analyses supported the proposed two-factor model, and the internal consistency of the factors was good. Furthermore, a structural equation model including the SVCS as predictors of safety voice behavior showed a good fit, indicating acceptable criterion validity, although only the Work colleagues' encouragement of safety voice variable was significantly associated with safety voice behavior. Conclusion and practical application: The SVCS can be used as a tool to detect some of the barriers and supporting elements relating to safety voice and guidance on the efforts needed to foster work climates that promote communication of safety issues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tore Tjora
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger, Norway
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Turner N, Deng C, Granger S, Dueck PM. How does subjective invulnerability impact young workers' safety voice? JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2023; 85:129-139. [PMID: 37330862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2023.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Young workers are at risk of workplace injuries for numerous reasons. One contentious yet untested theory is that subjective invulnerability to danger-a sense of indestructability in the face of physical hazards-can affect some young workers' reactions to workplace hazards. This study contends that subjective invulnerability can affect these reactions in two ways: (a) perceptions of physical hazards at work generate less fear of injury among those who perceive themselves as more invulnerable and/or; (b) fear of injury does not motivate speaking up about safety concerns (safety voice) among those who perceive themselves as more invulnerable. METHOD This paper tests a moderated mediation model in which higher perceptions of physical hazards at work are related to higher safety voice intentions via higher fear of injury, but that subjective invulnerability reduces the extent to which: (a) perceptions of physical hazards at work are associated with fear of injury and/or; (b) fear of injury is associated with safety voice. This model is tested in two studies of young workers (Study 1 on-line experiment: N = 114, M age = 20.67, SD = 1.79; range = 18-24 years; Study 2 field study using three waves of data collected at monthly intervals: N = 80, M age = 17.13, SD = 1.08, range = 15-20 years). RESULTS Contrary to expectations, the results showed that young workers who feel more invulnerable to danger are more likely to speak up about safety when experiencing higher fear of injury, and that perceptions of physical hazards-safety voice relationship is mediated by fear of injury for those who perceive themselves to be more invulnerable to danger. Conclusions/Practical Applications: Rather than subjective invulnerability silencing safety voice as predicted, the current data suggest that subjective invulnerability may serve to accelerate how fear of injury motivates safety voice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Turner
- Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, Canada.
| | - Connie Deng
- Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Steve Granger
- John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Canada
| | - Paul M Dueck
- Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Canada
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Sun Y, Chen J, Qian C, Luo X, Wu X. The Influence Mechanism of Political Skill on Safety Voice Behavior in High-Risk Industries: The Mediating Role of Voice Efficacy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16162. [PMID: 36498238 PMCID: PMC9738412 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As an important indicator to measure the adaptability and development potential of individuals in an organization, political skill is rarely considered as an antecedent variable in the field of safety voice. This study is based on impression management theory and social cognitive theory. From the perspective of employee self-service-oriented safety voice motivation, we took political skill as a predictor of safety voice behavior and introduced voice efficacy as an intermediary variable to construct a theoretical model of the relationship between political skill, voice efficacy, and safety voice behavior. We used the method of questionnaire to collect data from employees in high-risk industries. SPSS and AMOS software were used as analysis tools to examine the relationship between political skill, voice efficacy, and safety voice behavior. The study results show that: (1) political skill has a significant positive impact on safety voice behavior; and (2) voice efficacy plays a mediating role in the relationship between political skill and safety voice behavior. In this study, a new predictor of safety voice behavior and its mediation mechanism were obtained. Political skill can not only reflect the psychological cognitive ability of individuals in dangerous work environments, but it is also an important manifestation of the social exchanges between employees and organizations. In the special organizational context where China generally values "guanxi", political skill has a stronger ability to predict and explain safety voice behavior. This research can help organizations obtain safety-related suggestions from employees in a timely manner and realize the sustainable development of safety management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Sun
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jianwu Chen
- Institute of Occupational Hazards, China Academy of Safety Science and Technology, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Chongyang Qian
- Institute of Urban Safety and Environmental Science, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology, Beijing 100054, China
| | - Xiaowei Luo
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xiang Wu
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
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Turner N, Deng C, Granger S, Wingate TG, Shafqat R, Dueck PM. Young workers and safety: A critical review and future research agenda. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2022; 83:79-95. [PMID: 36481039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research on young worker safety often relies on inconsistent definitions of young workers and poorly delineated indicators of occupational safety. This review aims to reconcile these fundamental issues by critically integrating research across disciplines and providing clear directions for future research on young worker safety. METHOD We critically review the extant research on young worker safety. RESULTS We first reconcile the inconsistent definitions of young workers and specify the indicators of occupational safety used in young worker safety research. We next describe the prevalence of workplace injuries and population-level predictors of these injuries among young workers and then outline other factors that increase young workers' susceptibility to workplace injuries. Finally, we discuss the convergence of many of these issues on family farms-a context commonly studied in young worker safety research. CONCLUSIONS Clearer definitions of young workers and indicators of occupational safety can improve the interpretation and comparability of extant research findings. Furthermore, the prevalence of workplace injuries and population-level predictors of injury among young workers are subject to the interactions among age, gender, minority status, and job characteristics. Other factors that increase young workers' susceptibility to injury include young workers' responses to hazardous work, individual differences stemming from young workers' biological and psychological development, managerial attitudes about young workers, and the limited safety training young workers are thus provided, the types of work that young workers typically perform, and the range of social influences on young workers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Safety campaigns and safety training should consider interactions among young workers' age, gender, minority status, and job characteristics, rather than considering these features independently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Turner
- Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, Canada.
| | - Connie Deng
- Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Steve Granger
- Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Timothy G Wingate
- Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Rabeel Shafqat
- Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Paul M Dueck
- Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, Canada
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Development and validation of employee safety voice scale in the Chinese organizational context. JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/jmo.2022.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Safety voice helps organizations to identify safety issues timely and is critical to the long-term growth of the organization. Safety voice has become a hot research topic in organizational safety, and different scales have been developed. However, the unique cultural context in China has led to the need to redevelop safety voice measurement tools. In this paper, we developed an initial scale of safety voice for employees in Chinese organizational contexts fusing in-depth interviews and mature scales. The initial scale based on two samples (n1 = 205, n2 = 420) was revised and validated using item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability analysis to finalize the final scale. We finally found that the safety voice scale in Chinese organizational contexts contains two dimensions: promotive safety voice and prohibitive safety voice. The scale developed in this paper is a reliable tool to measure safety voice behavior of Chinese employees.
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Ni G, Zhang Z, Zhou Z, Lin H, Fang Y. When and for Whom Organizational Identification is More Effective in Eliciting Safety Voice: An Empirical Study from Construction Industry Perspective. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2022; 29:756-764. [PMID: 35622379 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2022.2081395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Safety voice (SV) is a form of voice in which employees express opinions or concerns about organizational safety. It plays an important role in preventing accidents and promoting safety performance. The purpose of this study is to reveal the emotional factors and boundary conditions behind employee engagement in SV, especially in the construction context. This study, therefore, investigated how organizational identification (OID) drove construction project participants' SV using a three-way interaction model of perceived insider status (PIS) as an individual difference and safety climate (SC) as an organizational contextual difference. The proposed model was tested using a sample of 357 participants in different construction projects. The results showed that OID was positively correlated with SV. The interaction effect of OID and PIS on SV depended on the SC, with PIS enhancing the identification-voice relationship at a low level of SC and weakening it at a high level of SC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Ni
- Institute of Project Management, School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China.,Research Center for Digitalized Construction and Knowledge Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Ziyao Zhang
- Institute of Project Management, School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
| | - Zhipeng Zhou
- Department of Management Science and Engineering, College of Economics and Management, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211106, China
| | - Han Lin
- School of Engineering Audit, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Public Project Audit, Nanjing Audit University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211815, China
| | - Yaqi Fang
- Institute of Project Management, School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China
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Einarsdóttir M, Rafnsdóttir GL. The prevalence, seriousness, and causes of teenage work accidents: A gender difference? Work 2021; 69:1209-1216. [PMID: 34334440 DOI: 10.3233/wor-213542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Teenage workers are prone to a higher injury risk than adult workers, and adult men are prone to a higher risk of work injuries than adult women. OBJECTIVES This study aims to examine whether gender differences exist in teenage work accidents, the level of the accidents, their causes, and the types of the injuries. METHODS A survey was sent to a sample of 2,800 13-19-year-olds, randomly selected from Registers Iceland. The response rate was 48.6%. A chi-square test, CI 95%, was applied to measure gender differences. RESULTS In total, 16.3%of the respondents had at least one work accident, and 1.2%, an accident that lead to more than one week's absence from work. No gender differences were observed in the level of the accidents, but appeared in the types of injuries and their causes. Cuts were the most common injuries of the boys, but burns of the girls. Bone fractures were the most serious injuries of the boys, but sprains of the girls. CONCLUSION Work accidents among teenagers are a particular threat to public health. Therefore, all stakeholders need to work together to prevent teenage work accidents in the future; and to keep in mind the gender diversity of the group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margrét Einarsdóttir
- Department of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
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Gauld R, Horsburgh S. Did healthcare professional perspectives on the quality and safety environment in New Zealand public hospitals change from 2012 to 2017? J Health Organ Manag 2021; 34:775-788. [PMID: 32979044 DOI: 10.1108/jhom-11-2019-0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The work environment is known to influence professional attitudes toward quality and safety. This study sought to measure these attitudes amongst health professionals working in New Zealand District Health Boards (DHBs), initially in 2012 and again in 2017. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Three questions were included in a national New Zealand health professional workforce survey conducted in 2012 and again in 2017. All registered health professionals employed with DHBs were invited to participate in an online survey. Areas of interest included teamwork amongst professionals; involvement of patients and families in efforts to improve patient care and ease of speaking up when a problem with patient care is perceived. FINDINGS In 2012, 57% of respondents (58% in 2017) agreed health professionals worked as a team; 71% respondents (73% in 2017) agreed health professionals involved patients and families in efforts to improve patient care and 69% (65% in 2017) agreed it was easy to speak up in their clinical area, with none of these changes being statistically significant. There were some response differences by respondent characteristics. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS With no change over time, there is a demand for improvement. Also for leadership in policy, management and amongst health professionals if goals of improving quality and safety are to be delivered upon. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This study provides a simple three-question method of probing perceptions of quality and safety and an important set of insights into progress in New Zealand DHBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Gauld
- Dean's Office and Centre for Health Systems and Technology, School of Business, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Simon Horsburgh
- Preventive and Social Medicine and Centre for Health Systems and Technology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Yang L, Branscum A, Bovbjerg V, Cude C, Weston C, Kincl L. Assessing disabling and non-disabling injuries and illnesses using accepted workers compensation claims data to prioritize industries of high risk for Oregon young workers. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2021; 77:241-254. [PMID: 34092315 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Young workers are especially vulnerable to occupational injuries and illnesses. There is a continued need to investigate injury burden among young workers across demographics and industry to inform targeted interventions. Workers compensation (WC) claims are important for quantifying work-related injuries and illnesses, however published studies have focused on disabling claims. This study extended previous research on Oregon young workers by including the most recent WC claims data to identify patterns of injury and high risk industries. METHODS We obtained all accepted disabling claims (N = 13,360) and a significant portion of non-disabling claims (N = 24,660) on workers aged 24 years and under from 2013 to 2018. Claim count, rate and cost were calculated by year, age, gender, industry, and injury type. A prevention index (PI) method was used to rank industries in order to inform prevention efforts. RESULTS Average annual disabling and non-disabling claim rates were 111.6 and 401.3 per 10,000 young workers. Workers aged 19-21 (disabling: 119.0 per 10,000 and non-disabling: 429.3) and 22-24 years (115.7 and 396.4) and male workers (145.3 and 509.0) had higher claim rates than workers aged 14-18 (80.6 and 297.0) and female workers (79.8 and 282.9). The most frequent injury types were "struck by/against" (35.6%) and "work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs)" (19.5%). High risk industries included agriculture, construction, and manufacturing for both genders combined. For female young workers, the highest risk industry was healthcare. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the added value of non-disabling WC claims data. Using both disabling and non-disabling data and PI method, agriculture, construction, manufacturing and healthcare industries were identified as priority workplaces to prevent common and costly injuries among Oregon young workers. Practical Applications: While the industries identified are considered hazardous for all workers, findings in this study can guide targeted research and prevention efforts specific to young workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Yang
- Oregon State University, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, United States.
| | - Adam Branscum
- Oregon State University, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, United States
| | - Viktor Bovbjerg
- Oregon State University, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, United States
| | - Curtis Cude
- Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, United States
| | - Crystal Weston
- Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, United States
| | - Laurel Kincl
- Oregon State University, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, United States
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Turner N, Granger S, Tucker S, Deng C, Kelloway EK. Parents' work injuries and children's mental health: The moderating role of children's work centrality. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2021; 77:61-66. [PMID: 34092329 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between parents' work-related injuries and their children's mental health, and whether children's work centrality - the extent to which a child believes work will play an important part in their life - exacerbates or buffers this relationship. METHOD We argue that high work centrality can exacerbate the relationship between parental work injuries and children's mental health, with parental work injuries acting as identity-threatening stressors; in contrast, high work centrality may buffer this relationship, with parental work injuries acting as identity-confirming stressors. We test this relationship with a sample of Canadian children (N = 4,884, 46.2% female, M age = 13.67 years). RESULTS Children whose parents had experienced more frequent lost-time work-related injuries reported worse mental health with high work centrality buffering this negative relationship. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the vicarious effects of work injuries on salient others, specifically parental work injuries on children's mental health, as well as the role of work centrality in shaping children's sense-making and expectations about the consequences of work.
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Tao D, Liu Z, Diao X, Tan H, Qu X, Zhang T. Antecedents of self-reported safety behaviors among commissioning workers in nuclear power plants: The roles of demographics, personality traits and safety attitudes. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Jetha A, Gignac MAM, Bowring J, Tucker S, Connelly CE, Proulx L, Martin Ginis KA. Supporting Arthritis and Employment Across the Life Course: A Qualitative Study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2019; 70:1461-1468. [PMID: 29381838 DOI: 10.1002/acr.23523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the need for and availability and use of formal and informal workplace resources and to uncover differences across the life course in adults with arthritis. METHODS Focus groups and interviews were conducted with young (aged 18-34 years; n = 7), middle-aged (35-54 years; n = 13), and older adults (≥55 years; n = 25) with a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis, osteoarthritis, or other rheumatic disease. Participants were asked about their employment experiences, formal and informal workplace resource needs, and availability and use of workplace resources. Differences based on chronological, functional, psychosocial, organizational, and lifespan dimensions of age were examined. A modified grounded theory approach was used to inductively analyze the data. RESULTS Young, middle-aged, and older adult participants required similar workplace resources. Across all participants, scheduling modifications tended to be the most needed workplace resource. In contrast, the perceived availability and use of formal workplace resources differed among participants. Young adult participants and those who were newer to their jobs reported that workplace resources were less available and utilized. Middle-aged and older adults reported greater availability of workplace resources. Scheduling accommodations and at-work modifications were the workplace resources that were used most by middle-aged and older adults, respectively. CONCLUSION Similar workplace resources could meet the employment needs of individuals with arthritis across the life course. Attention should be paid to young adults and those who are new to their jobs, because they may perceive more barriers to accessing formal workplace resources and be susceptible to work disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Jetha
- Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Monique A M Gignac
- Institute for Work and Health and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julie Bowring
- Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sean Tucker
- University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | | | - Laurie Proulx
- Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Hanvold TN, Kines P, Nykänen M, Thomée S, Holte KA, Vuori J, Wærsted M, Veiersted KB. Occupational Safety and Health Among Young Workers in the Nordic Countries: A Systematic Literature Review. Saf Health Work 2019; 10:3-20. [PMID: 30949376 PMCID: PMC6429009 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This review aimed to identify risk factors for occupational accidents and illnesses among young workers in the Nordic countries and to attain knowledge on specific vulnerable groups within the young working force that may need special attention. We conducted a systematic review from 1994 to 2014 using five online databases. Of the 12,528 retrieved articles, 54 met the review criteria and were quality assessed, in which data were extracted focusing on identifying occupational safety, health risk factors, and vulnerable groups among the young workers. The review shows that mechanical factors such as heavy lifting, psychosocial factors such as low control over work pace, and organizational factors such as safety climate are all associated with increased injury risk for young Nordic workers. Results show that exposures to chemical substances were associated with skin reactions, e.g., hand eczema. Heavy lifting and awkward postures were risk factors for low back pain, and high job demands were risk factors for mental health outcomes. The review identified young unskilled workers including school drop-out workers as particularly vulnerable groups when it comes to occupational accidents. In addition, apprentices and young skilled workers were found to be vulnerable to work-related illnesses. It is essential to avoid stereotyping young Nordic workers into one group using only age as a factor, as young workers are a heterogeneous group and their vulnerabilities to occupational safety and health risks are contextual. Politicians, researchers, and practitioners should account for this complexity in the education, training and organization of work, and workplace health and safety culture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pete Kines
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikko Nykänen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Thomée
- Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Jukka Vuori
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
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Pek S, Turner N, Tucker S, Kelloway EK, Morrish J. Injunctive safety norms, young worker risk-taking behaviors, and workplace injuries. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2017; 106:202-210. [PMID: 28641090 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Injunctive safety norms (ISNs) refer to perceptions of others' expectations of one's safety-related conduct. Drawing on a sample of Canadian young workers (n=11,986;M age=17.90years; 55% males), we study the relationships among four sources of non-work-related (i.e., parents, siblings, friends, teachers), two sources of work-related (i.e., supervisors, co-workers) ISNs, young workers' self-reported work-related risk-taking behaviors, and workplace injuries. Structural equation modeling suggests that ISNs from parents, supervisors, and co-workers were related to less frequent work-related risk-taking behaviors, and with fewer workplace injuries via less frequent work-related risk-taking behaviors. In addition, ISNs from supervisors were directly associated with fewer workplace injuries. In contrast, ISNs from teachers and siblings were not associated with work-related risk-taking behaviors, but ISNs from siblings were associated with fewer work injuries. Finally, ISNs from friends were associated with more frequent work-related risk-taking and more frequent work injuries via more frequent work-related risk-taking. This study draws attention to the relative roles of non-work sources of social influence and provides some evidence of how ISNs might be related to young workers' work-related risk-taking behaviors and their workplace injuries. It also contributes to practice by suggesting specific interventions that parents, supervisors, and co-workers could undertake to reduce young workers' work-related risk-taking and workplace injuries, namely encouraging youth to be safe at work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Pek
- Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University, Canada.
| | - Nick Turner
- Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Sean Tucker
- Faculty of Business Administration, University of Regina, Canada
| | | | - Jayne Morrish
- Jack and Nora Walker Canadian Centre for Lifespan Development Research, Brock University, Canada
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Speaking up behaviours (safety voices) of healthcare workers: A metasynthesis of qualitative research studies. Int J Nurs Stud 2016; 64:42-51. [PMID: 27684321 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2016.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A critical characteristic of effective teams in any setting is when each member is willing to speak up to share thoughts and ideas to improve processes. In spite of attempts by healthcare systems to encourage employees to speak up, employee silence remains a common cause of communication breakdowns, contributing to errors and suboptimal care delivery. Nurses in particular have reported low confidence in their communication abilities, and cite the belief that speaking up will not make a difference. OBJECTIVE To develop an understanding of how nurses and other healthcare workers relate to safety voice behaviors and how this might influence clinical practice. DATA SOURCES A search of the PubMed, CINAHL, and Academic Search Premier databases was conducted using keywords employee, nurse, qualitative, speak up, silence, safety, voice, and safety voice identified 372 articles with 11 retained after a review of the abstracts. Studies took place in Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Hong Kong, East Africa, Ireland, Korea, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States representing 504 healthcare workers including 354 nurses. METHODS This interpretive meta-synthesis of 11 qualitative articles published from 2005 to 2015 was conducted using a social constructivist approach with thematic analysis. RESULTS The four themes identified are: 1) hierarchies and power dynamics negatively affect safety voice, 2) open communication is unsafe and ineffective, 3) embedded expectations of nurse behavior affect safety voice, and 4) nurse managers have a powerful positive or negative affect on safety voice. CONCLUSIONS Healthcare workers worldwide report multiple social and hierarchy related fears surrounding the utilization of safety voice behaviors. Hesitance to speak up is pervasive among nurses, as is low self-efficacy related to safety voice. The presence of caring leaders, peer support, and an organizational commitment to safe, open cultures, may improve safety voice utilization among nurses and other healthcare workers.
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Griffin MA, Curcuruto M. Safety Climate in Organizations. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR 2016. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-041015-062414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Griffin
- School of Psychology, University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia;
| | - Matteo Curcuruto
- School of Social, Psychological and Communication Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, United Kingdom;
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Parish M, Rohlman DS, Elliot DL, Lasarev M. Factors associated with occupational injuries in seasonal young workers. Occup Med (Lond) 2015; 66:164-7. [DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqv183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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