Applying I/O Psychology to Mine Safety

Abstract

The relevance to mine safety of applications from industrial/organizational psychology including organization development (OD) was discussed based on research at two coal mines. The OD program consisted of an employee attitude survey feedback technique using questionnaire and group interview data. Factor analysis of questionnaire data yielded twelve dimensions of industrial climate including two reflecting safety. Relations among the dimensions and differences between mines and classifications were discussed. Recommendations to improve safety through mine operations and labor-management relations were guided by a systematic problem-solving approach. Other uses of OD for increasing mine performance were discussed.

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