Safety leadership at construction sites: the importance of rule-oriented and participative leadership

Objectives The construction industry accounted for >20% of all fatal occupational accidents in Europe in 2014. Leadership is an essential antecedent to occupational safety. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of transformational, active transactional, rule-oriented, participative, and laissez-faire leadership on safety climate, safety behavior, and accidents in the Swedish and Danish construction industry. Sweden and Denmark are similar countries but have a large difference in occupational accidents rates. Methods A questionnaire study was conducted among a random sample of construction workers in both countries: 811 construction workers from 85 sites responded, resulting in site and individual response rates of 73% and 64%, respectively. Results The results indicated that transformational, active transactional, rule-oriented and participative leadership predict positive safety outcomes, and laissez-faire leadership predict negative safety outcomes. For example, rule-oriented leadership predicts a superior safety climate (=β0.40, P0<.001 enhanced safety behavior p0 and fewer accidents ratio confidence interval ci the effect of rule-oriented leadership on workers was moderated by level participative suggesting that when rules plans are established in a collaborative manner motivation to comply with regulations participate proactive activities is elevated. influence behaviors outcomes were largely similar sweden denmark. more common swedish than danish construction industry which may partly explain difference occupational accident rates. conclusions applying less laissez-faire transformational active transactional appears be an effective way for site managers improve industry.>by Grill M, Pousette A, Nielsen K, Grytnes R, Törner M. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3649

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