WORKPLACE SAFETY CULTURE: A CONCEPTUAL MODEL

摘要

Complex systems that require interactions between human operators, computerized devices and physical system are abundant in today's workplace. The increase in system complexity increases the difficulties in managing and maintaining control over the system, and thus increases the risk of accidents happening. The consequences of complex systems failures could be catastrophic, for instances, the Three Mile Island accidents and the Chernobyl accidents. Managing the safety of complex systems is a critical issue. One recent approach to manage workplace safety is by changing the safety culture in the workplace. Existing safety culture models lack practicality in assisting practitioners to gain understanding of the effect of organization culture on safety performance.rnThis study attempts to further the understanding on methods to create, intervene and maintain a positive workplace safety culture. A conceptual model of safety culture was developed based on the hypotheses that both positive and negative workplace safety practices are affected by organization culture, and organization culture is a catalyst to manage workplace safety. Several methods to validate and verify the model were proposed.rnConceptual model proposed in this study postulates that accidents do affect an organization culture and positive management interventions and reactions to an accident are crucial in developing a positive safety culture. This study also addressed engineering managers' role in creating and maintaining a positive workplace safety.