Workplace organizational correlates of lost-time accident rates in manufacturing

Abstract

We report the results of a questionnaire survey of manufacturing workplaces related to the lost‐time frequency rates (LTFR) for Workers' Compensation claims. Six types of industry were chosen: metal articles, plastic articles, grain products, textile manufacturing, printing, and automobile manufacturing. LTFR were standardized by type of industry. Stratifying simultaneously by number of employees and LTFR category, we sampled 718 workplaces. A mail questionnaire to labor and management representatives provided at least some information on 58%. Response rates were similar across LTFR categories, and telephone interviews of non‐responders showed little difference in their replies from those obtained in completed questionnaires. A large number of variables were examined. Apart from statistical significance, we looked for consistency in trends across LTFR categories and in patterns for similar questions. Significant associations grouped into several areas. Lower LTFR were associated with: concrete demonstration by management of its concern for the workforce; greater involvement of workers in general decision‐making; greater willingness of the Joint Health and Safety Committee to solve problems internally; and greater experience of the workforce. Variables that were not significant included profitability and financial performance. A final stepwise multiple regression explained 19% of the variance in LTFR, although this analysis suffered from several limitations. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Management of health and safety in micro-firms in Cyprus – Results from a Nationwide Survey

“…Arocena et al (2008) also report similar findings. Shannon, 1996 have reported a positive effect of involvement of workers in general decision making. According to Hon et al (2014) safety participation is voluntary and when managers and supervisors demonstrate commitment to safety their subordinates are more likely to participate in safety decisions making.…”

“…*** p < 0.001. Shannon (1996), positively affecting lost-time frequency rates (LTFR) for Workers' Compensation claims, an indicator of safety performance.…”

“…It can be seen as a form of empowerment of the workforce and it seems to be related to safety performance (Simard andMarchand, 1994, andShannon et al, 1997). Safety performance is better in firms where managers perceive more participation in decision-making by the workforce in their firms and more harmonious management -worker relations (Shannon, 1996). The close relationship between workers participation in health and safety policies and decreased number of injuries and occupational accidents has been illustrated by a variety of authors in the past (Walters and Frick, 2000;Nichols et al, 2007;Walters and Nichols, 2007;MacEachen et al, 2010).…”

Work environment risk factors for injuries in wood processing

“…Gender, length of experience on the current job, and management style or other organizational features have all been associated with injury risk previously in a wide spectrum of job types (Lindell, 1997;Shannon, Mayr, & Haines, 1997;Shannon et al, 1996;Smith & Mustard, 2004).…”

Work attitudes and safety performance in micro-firms – Results from a nationwide survey: (the opinion of the employees)

“…Arocena et al (2008) report similar findings. Shannon (1996) have similar findings reporting a positive effect of involvement of workers in general decision making.…”