Psychological, behavioral, and organizational factors affecting coal miner safety and health. Technical report

Technical Report · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:7015696

Pfiefer, C M; Stefanski, J L; Grether, C B

The report represents the first wide-scale survey of the coal industry with regard to psychological, behavioral, and organizational variables which may have an impact on safety and health in the mines. Fifteen pairs of mines were selected for inclusion in the survey, with one high-accident mine and one low-accident mine in each pair. Responses of personnel in high-accident mines were compared with responses of personnel in low-accident mines. Separate survey instruments were developed for use with each of seven distinct samples: underground miners, above-ground miners, union officials, foremen, safety directors, managers, and miners' wives. Survey results indicated that a number of alternative strategies are worth exploring in an attempt to further reduce accidents and illness in the coal industry. These strategies include organizational development techniques, work organization, training, behavioral programs to increase the frequency of safe job behaviors, redesign of safety equipment, improvements in company safety programs, and programs to reduce occupational stress.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Behavioral Service Center, Columbia, MD (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7015696
• Report Number(s): PB-275599; BSC-5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
016000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Health & Safety
ACCIDENTS
BEHAVIOR
COAL MINERS
COAL MINES
MINERS
MINES
PERSONNEL
SAFETY