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Social identity, safety climate and self-reported accidents among construction workers

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  • Lars Peter Andersen
  • Line Nørdam
  • Thomas Joensson
  • Pete Kines
  • Kent J. Nielsen

Abstract

The construction industry has one of the highest frequencies of work-related accidents. We examined whether construction workers predominantly identify themselves in terms of their workgroup or in terms of the construction site. In addition, we examined the associations between social identity and safety climate, and how these constructs are associated with work-related accidents. The analyses were based on questionnaire responses from 478 construction workers from two large construction sites, and the methods involved structural equation modeling. Results showed that the workers identified themselves primarily with their workgroup, and to a lesser degree with the construction site. Social identity and safety climate were related both at the workgroup and construction site levels, meaning that social identity may be an antecedent for safety climate. The association between social identity and safety climate was stronger at the workgroup level than at the construction site level. Finally, safety climate at both levels was inversely associated with self-reported accidents, with the strongest association at the workgroup level. A focus on improving safety climate, particularly by integrating initiatives at both the workgroup and management level, may have the potential to improve safety performance and thus decrease the risk of accidents and injuries on construction sites.

Suggested Citation

  • Lars Peter Andersen & Line Nørdam & Thomas Joensson & Pete Kines & Kent J. Nielsen, 2018. "Social identity, safety climate and self-reported accidents among construction workers," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(1), pages 22-31, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:36:y:2018:i:1:p:22-31
    DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2017.1339360
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Abdallah Mohammad Ashour & Zuraida Hassan & Jamal Mohammed Esmail Alekam, 2018. "A Conceptual Framework for Upgrading Safety Performance by Influence Safety Training, Management Commitment to Safety and Work Environment: Jordanian Hospitals," International Journal of Business and Social Research, MIR Center for Socio-Economic Research, vol. 8(7), pages 25-35, July.
    2. Abdallah Mohammad Ashour & Zuraida Hassan & Jamal Mohammed Esmail Alekam, 2018. "A Conceptual Framework for Upgrading Safety Performance by Influence Safety Training, Management Commitment to Safety and Work Environment: Jordanian Hospitals," International Journal of Business and Social Research, LAR Center Press, vol. 8(7), pages 25-35, July.
    3. Daniel W. M. Chan & Matteo Cristofaro & Hala Nassereddine & Nicole S. N. Yiu & Hadi Sarvari, 2021. "Perceptions of Safety Climate in Construction Projects between Workers and Managers/Supervisors in the Developing Country of Iran," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-18, September.
    4. Abdallah Ashour & Zuraida Hassan, 2019. "Nursing Involvement and Safety Participation among Secondary Health Care Nurses in Jordan: The Mediating Effect of Work Environment," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 9(5), pages 104-113.
    5. Ibrahim Mosly & Anas A. Makki, 2021. "The Effects of Multi-Sociodemographic Characteristics of Construction Sites Personnel on Perceptions of Safety Climate-Influencing Factors: The Construction Industry in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.

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