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Trust-based approaches to safety and production

Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings - With ISBN/ISSNChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Published
Publication date6/11/2015
Host publicationThe Wiley Blackwell handbook of the psychology of occupational safety and workplace health
EditorsSharon Clarke, Tahira Probst, Frank Guldenmund, Jonathan Passmore
Place of PublicationChichester
PublisherWiley-Blackwell
Pages111-132
Number of pages22
ISBN (electronic)9781118979013
ISBN (print)9781118978986
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

This chapter discusses the importance of interpersonal trust in the creation of a safe work environment. It highlights that trust is important in increasing employee engagement in safety, willingness to comply with management requests, and propensity to take the initiative. The chapter commences with a definition of trust, explaining how it develops at the interpersonal level. Trust is related to aspects of safety culture, such as open communication and organizational learning; and lack of trust can create a climate of blame and fear. While trust is comprised of beliefs relating to the trustee's ability, benevolence, and integrity, it is both evidence of, and violation of, integrity beliefs that have the biggest impact on trust. Finally, the chapter examines the influence of job-related and organizational factors on safety behavior. It also considers what occurs when trust breaks down and how this can be rectified to regain good safety practices.