The use of supervisory practices as leverage to improve safety behavior: A cross-level intervention model

Dov Zohar, Gil Luria

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: The paper presents three intervention studies designed to modify supervisory monitoring and rewarding of subordinates' safety performance. Method: Line supervisors received weekly feedback concerning the frequency of their safety-oriented interactions with subordinates, and used this to self-monitor progress toward designated improvement goals. Managers higher up in the organizational hierarchy received the same information, coupled with synchronous data concerning the frequency of workers' safety behaviors, and highlighting co-variation of supervisory action and workers' behavior. Results: In all the companies involved, supervisory safety-oriented interaction increased significantly, resulting in significant changes in workers' safety behavior and safety climate scores. Continued improvement during the post-intervention period suggests the inclusion of workers' safety behavior as in-role supervisory responsibility. Applied and theoretical implications are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)567-577
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Safety Research
Volume34
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Financial support for this work was provided by the Prevention Research Unit, Ministry of Labor and Welfare, Jerusalem. We thank the managers and line workers in participating companies who have offered us their collaboration in so many ways.

Keywords

  • Behavioral safety
  • Intervention
  • Safety behavior
  • Safety climate
  • Supervision

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

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