Citation

Guastello DD, Guastello SJ. J. Occup. Accid. 1987; 9(1): 1-9.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

Guastello, D.D. and Guastello, S.J., 1987. The relationship between work group size and occupational accidents. Journal of Occupational Accidents, 9: 1-9.Work group size and its effect on industrial accidents was investigated. Previous studies on the topic have been inconclusive. This study also investigated whether group size is correlated with other psychosocial variables that have been shown in the past to relate to accident rate. Subjects were 435 employees in 79 work groups drawn from 9 Midwestern metal foundries and mills.Results revealed both a linear and curvilinear component of the relationship between group size and group accident rates. A scattergram revealed a breakpoint at a group size of about 15 people above which only large accident rates occurred, but below which disparately high and low rates were observed. Size was not correlated with any of the other psychosocial variables related to accidents. Implications of the findings for accident control are discussed.