An analysis of safety advisor roles and site safety performance

Abstract

Purpose -Present findings from a UK study, funded by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), on the relationship between safety advisor roles and safety performance. Design/methodology/approach -Roles and organisational factors for contractors' safety advisors (independent variables) were derived from existing literature. The dependent variable was "safety performance", measured by accident incidence rate (AIR). Data were provided by 101 contractors and variance of means analysis was conducted. Findings -Contractors using only external safety consultants had an average AIR approximately three times those with internal safety staff. However, simply increasing internal safety personnel did not lead to increased safety performance. Contractors, where at least one safety advisor had authority to give orders had a lower mean AIR than those who did not. Other significant variables were: delivering safety training to employees; vetting sub-contractors; and the inclusion of an environmental management role. Practical implications -Employing at least one full-time internal safety person is better than relying solely on a safety consultant. If these safety advisers report to senior management then they have a greater chance of influencing others to act safely or commit resources to manage safety. Delivery of training, vetting sub-contractors and including environmental duties should feature in safety advisor roles. Originality/value -The assumption that merely increasing safety personnel improves safety has been challenged. It is apparent from these findings that what the safety personnel actually do is more important than how many are employed. This is a major finding in relation to theory and practice which challenges previous research.

Bureaucracy, influence and beliefs: A literature review of the factors shaping the role of a safety professional

“…Some organizational structure attributes directly shape the role and effectiveness of safety professionals including whether they are internal resources or external consultants, organizational proximity to senior management, their formal line of report, and the amount of personnel and financial resources. Cameron, Hare et al (2013) found organizations that relied solely on external consultants rather than internal safety professional resources had three times higher accident rates. This finding is consistent with previous studies (Hinze 2002), and Hale (1995) suggested that external resources cannot effectively understand the organizational context or adequately influence company policy.…”

“…An independent matrix style of organization with dual authority structures is more likely to accept challenge and leverage it to improve (King 1999). Cameron, Hare et al (2013) found that the formal authority of the safety professional was related to improved safety performance, and in all cases where safety professionals saw themselves as having authority; they also held a senior position.…”

“…This may not be a detriment to safety management. Cameron, Hare et al (2013) found that including environmental responsibility correlated with lower accident rates on site, for instance.…”

“…Research conducted in the United States referred to as 'staffing for safety' has shown a direct relationship between accident rates and the ratio of safety professionals to the overall workforce (Cameron, Hare et al 2013). Accident rates reduced in line with an increase in safety professionals up to a ratio of 1:50, however, it is more important what the safety professionals do rather than just increasing the number (Cameron, Hare et al 2013).…”

Safety and Multi-employer Worksites in High-risk Industries: An Overview

“…The practice of having specific safety advisors or similar roles on-site to coordinate and safeguard contractors was explored by Cameron et al (2013). The study showed that contractors hiring external safety consultants had an Accident Incidence Rate (AIR) almost three times higher than those that employed internal safety personnel.…”