Investigating factors that influence individual safety behavior at work.
BACKGROUND
A qualitative study was conducted to investigate the factors that influence individual safety behavior at work.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants from a variety of occupations.


RESULTS
The analysis revealed several organizational and social factors that explain why individuals engage in unsafe work practices.


CONCLUSIONS
The influence of organizational/social factors on safety behavior were discussed. The results suggest that important organizational factors, in addition to job design and engineering systems, may be overlooked when identifying the causes of workplace accidents. Such factors include early socialization, and the need to portray a positive image.


CONCLUSIONS
The implications for management and industry are discussed.
Department of Management, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS B3H 3C3, Canada. janemullen1@hotmail.com
Jane
J
Mullen
D001290:Attitude; D002170:Canada; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D016272:Occupational Health; D012951:Socialization