Safety climates in host organisations influence onsite contractors’ safety behaviours, injuries and turnover intentions, according to international research.
Published in the Journal of Safety Research, the research found that host organisations play a crucial role in shaping the safety climate and outcomes of their onsite contractors.
“Our findings show that fostering a positive safety climate not only benefits host organisations themselves but also creates a crucial environmental cue that shapes the safety climate and outcomes of onsite contractors,” said lead researcher, Sunhee Lee, a Professor at Chungnam National University in South Korea.
“Leading by example and fostering a positive safety climate within the organisation are effective ways for a host organisation to ensure the safety of its onsite contractors.”
The research, which was conducted by a team from Chungnam National University and Kansas State University, examined survey data from 1,720 employees across 68 onsite contractor organisations and 3205 employees from six host organisations.
The study, Beyond boundaries: The mechanisms by which host organisations’ safety climates impact onsite contractors’ safety and retention, found that host organisations’ safety climates were associated with onsite contractor employees’ safety behaviours, job attitudes and injuries. These effects were mediated by the safety climate of the onsite contractor organisations.
The researchers used multi-level structural equation modelling to test hypothesised relationships among variables. They found that at the organisational level, host organisations’ safety climates were positively related to contractor employees’ safety compliance and participation behaviours.
“A positive safety climate contributes to developing a collective responsibility for safety,” Lee explained. “This principle of shared responsibility for safety (emphasising the integral role of all individuals in fostering a broader safety culture) further encourages active participation in promoting and maintaining a safe workplace.”
The study also revealed that host organisations’ safety climates were negatively associated with contractor injury rates and turnover intentions. “When employees perceive that their safety is valued and prioritised, they develop a stronger commitment to the organisation, leading to reduced turnover intention,” Lee said.
“Recognising the influence of situational cues from host organisations can guide interventions to enhance safety climate and safety practices among contractors.”
The findings have significant implications for improving workplace safety in high-risk industries where on-site contractors are commonly employed, such as construction, petrochemical manufacturing and mining.