Psychological factors and the accident plateau

A study prepared by psychologists at the University of Surrey finds that a social psychological approach to on the job safety can help companies reduce the number of workplace accidents. The approach assumes that most accidents are the fault of the employee and that many employees are aware of the danger in their actions, even if they do not wish to cause an accident. The solution is change in the organisational and social framework that allows employees to adopt such an attitude. Change the social environment and attitudes towards unsafe practices will change.