This study seeks to clarify the safety climate construct by examining whether recent accidents may be positively associated with work unit safety perceptions, as suggested by behavioral learning mechanisms (increases in safety investments following accidents) or cognitive mechanisms (defensive attributions regarding accident causality). Lagged squadron-level accident experience was correlated with work unit safety perceptions obtained through a safety climate survey administered to over 6,000 members of U.S. Navy flight squadrons. Results showed positive associations between minor or intermediately severe accidents and future safety climate scores, although no effect was found for major accidents. The findings suggest that accident history should be considered when examining work unit safety perceptions because recent accidents may be associated with higher safety climate scores. Directions for future research are discussed.
Abstract