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A Study of Construction Site Safety Culture and Implications for Safe and Responsive Workplaces

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2012

Herbert C. Biggs ,
Vaughn L. Sheahan  and
Donald P. Dingsdag
Herbert C. Biggs*
Affiliation:
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Vaughn L. Sheahan
Affiliation:
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Donald P. Dingsdag
Affiliation:
University of Western Sydney, Australia
*
School of Psychology and Counselling, QUT, Beams Rd, Carseldine, Qld 4034, Australia. E-mail: h.biggs@qut.edu.au
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Abstract

The high injury rate with in the Australian construction industry necessitates proactive action on the behalf of rehabilitation professionals. Safety culture is a concept that is gaining traction within this sector as a useful concept to further reduce fatalities, injuries and incidents. Ten focus groups were completed with Australia's largest constructors to investigate this concept of safety culture and to further evaluate the skills, knowledge and abilities required by people who hold influential and key roles. Data interpretation revealed three important personal characteristics that underlie a positive safety culture: safety knowledge, user/interpersonal skills and appropriate attitudes and beliefs. These findings are applied to the rehabilitation process and it is concluded that rehabilitation professionals need to contribute to the development of a positive safety culture by enhancing the workforce's understanding of injury management.

Type
Articles
Information
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , January 2005 , pp. 1 - 7
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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