SafetyInsights.org

This analysed 21 fatal occupational accidents in oil & gas relating to confined spaces using the HFACS (Human Factors Analysis & Classification System). They also conducted 33 semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences with the contributory factors identified with HFACS. One motive of this study is that accident analysis tools & practitioners may not adequately… Continue reading Exploring the Contributory Factors of Confined Space Accidents Using Accident Investigation Reports and Semi-structured Interviews

This explored the relationship between workers’ safety climate perceptions and safety management practices (SMPs), arguing that SC may be a parallel outcome of workplace safety practices rather than as a determinant of worker behaviour. 25 commercial construction companies in Colombia were assessed, alongside 256 individuals within the companies. SMPs included 15 safety practices (eg training,… Continue reading Associations between safety climate and safety management practices in the construction industry

This studied the relationship of insomnia on suicide risk by considering both sleep duration & depression. The study was based on a Swedish prospective cohort of >38k participants with a mean follow-up time of 19 years. Sleep disturbances have been identified in previous work as an early & important marker for suicidal behaviour and insomnia… Continue reading Insomnia in the context of short sleep increases suicide risk

This review paper looked at available evidence and sought to discuss the following questions: how skilled are craft workers at identifying hazards, what hazards are most commonly identified and missed, what is happening in the brain as different types of hazards are recognized, and what types of techniques have been demonstrated to improve hazard recognition.… Continue reading Construction Hazard Recognition: Themes in Scientific Research

Another excellent piece of research from Matthew Holloway and team. In this report, the researchers statistically analysed over 3 trillion worker-hours of company incident data and sought to understand the statistical validity of TRIR/TRIFR and whether it was indicative of high-severity events. I really can’t do this one justice so just skip my summary and… Continue reading The Statistical Invalidity of TRIR as a Measure of Safety Performance

Another lit review (not systematic) on Psychological Safety (PS) research published b.t. 2009 – 2015. PS has been defined as “an environment of being able to express one’s self without fear of negative consequences such as embarrassment, and ridicule on self-image, status or even career” (p20). Edmonson’s worked highlighted that a climate of openness “is… Continue reading A Critical Examination of Literatures on Psychological Safety

This examined the relationship between having ideas about improving safety, speaking up about the ideas (safety voice), and future work-related injuries amongst young workers. 155 employed teenagers completed 3 surveys with 1 month between. Safety voice here is defined as raising objections or ideas to change “objectionable state of affairs”, and includes formal proposals, “faint… Continue reading Sometimes It Hurts When Supervisors Don’t Listen: The Antecedents and Consequences of Safety Voice Among Young Workers

This editorial summarised the findings from a special journal issue exploring approaches to considering gender and sex on work, including occupational exposures. 10 studies were part of the special issue. All studies were based in high income countries, work was largely paid settings (rather than volunteer), and mostly constrained to evaluating gender & sex as… Continue reading Gender, Work, and Health

Construction industry is said to be highly masculinised & to have work practices that are detrimental to wellbeing. By use of ethnography, this study explored the wellbeing of female & male construction professionals. 21 leaders & 61 project staff were interviewed, people were observed at 14 company events & 44 people were shadowed at work.… Continue reading Masculinity And Workplace Wellbeing In The Australian Construction Industry

This evaluated the impact of the Mates in Construction (MATE) program over a 5-year period on suicides in Queensland construction workers between 2003-2007 vs 2008-2012 (MATES was introduced in 2008). MATES is a large-scale, multi-component suicide prevention program for construction which uses onsite psychoeducation to encourage help-seeking & early intervention, counselling services and people trained… Continue reading Mates in Construction Suicide Prevention Program: A Five Year Review