title: High-performance work systems and occupational safety.
abstract: Two studies were conducted investigating the relationship between high-performance work systems (HPWS) and occupational safety. In Study 1, data were obtained from company human resource and safety directors across 138 organizations. LISREL VIII results showed that an HPWS was positively related to occupational safety at the organizational level. Study 2 used data from 189 front-line employees in 2 organizations. Trust in management and perceived safety climate were found to mediate the relationship between an HPWS and safety performance measured in terms of personal-safety orientation (i.e., safety knowledge, safety motivation, safety compliance, and safety initiative) and safety incidents (i.e., injuries requiring first aid and near misses). These 2 studies provide confirmation of the important role organizational factors play in ensuring worker safety.
authors.affiliation: School of Business, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Anthea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zacharatos
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barling
authors.forename: Roderick D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Iverson
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control; D003625:Data Collection; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010559:Personnel Management; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D012449:Safety; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D035502:Trust