Citation

Burt CD, Stevenson RJ. J. Saf. Res. 2009; 40(5): 365-369.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsr.2009.08.002

PMID

19932317

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND METHOD: Participants' perceptions of the safety-related aspects of their organization's recruitment processes were examined, as were their perceptions of safety aspects associated with new recruits. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-four professional fire fighters indicated the trust they held in the safety-related aspects of their organizations' selection and pre-start training. Perceived trust in pre-start training was negatively correlated (r=-.24, p<.01) with the risk associated with new recruits, and positively correlated (r=.50, p<.01) with ratings of trust in recruits to immediately work safely. Furthermore, trust in recruits to immediately work safely was negatively correlated (r=-.21, p<.01) with crews' safety behavior toward recruits. CONCLUSIONS: These results are interpreted as particularly dangerous for workers, as new recruits lack familiarity with aspects of their new workplace that cannot be addressed by either selection or pre-start training, making them a risk. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Organizations should actively identify new recruits, and encourage existing team members not to immediately trust new recruits to work safely.

Language: en