Christopher D B Burt1, Renee J Stevenson. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand. Christopher.burt@canterbury.ac.nz
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.
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.
Authors: P Daniel Patterson; Anthony J Pfeiffer; Judith R Lave; Matthew D Weaver; Kaleab Abebe; David Krackhardt; Robert M Arnold; Donald M Yealy Journal: Emerg Med J Date: 2013-12-18 Impact factor: 2.740
Authors: P Daniel Patterson; Judith R Lave; Christian Martin-Gill; Matthew D Weaver; Richard J Wadas; Robert M Arnold; Ronald N Roth; Vincent N Mosesso; Francis X Guyette; Jon C Rittenberger; Donald M Yealy Journal: Prehosp Emerg Care Date: 2013-09-04 Impact factor: 3.077
Authors: P Daniel Patterson; Anthony J Pfeiffer; Matthew D Weaver; David Krackhardt; Robert M Arnold; Donald M Yealy; Judith R Lave Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2013-03-22 Impact factor: 2.655