Reciprocal Determinism Model of Safety

Work place safety is a central concern in society and in organizations, yet researchers decry the paucity of research on how safety cultures and climates are created, managed, and ultimately affect the performance of individuals and organizations. The general lack of research is especially apparent, and the absence of it particularly critical, in the construction industry. Occupations in the construction industry, in the United States and elsewhere, continue to be among the most, if not the most, dangerous to hold. As an example, from 1997 to 2000 more than 1000 workers were killed each year in the construction industry in the United States accounting for approximately 20 percent of the total number of work-related fatalities during those years. This percentage is more striking given that construction jobs account for only about 6 percent of the total jobs in the United States. Moreover, these high numbers of fatalities occurred in spite of presumed major safety improvements in the industry during this time.