The electrical industry is considered a high-risk industry, with workers constantly working in close relation to high voltages and in a workplace which constantly changes. This emphasizes the need for a proper safety management system, in order to identify and manage risk at each and every workplace. The aim of this study is to explore the safety management dynamics and interplay between management and workers in regard to safety in the electrical grid industry. This, with the purpose of identifying which deficiencies exist in the interaction, and how existing safety management theories can be applied in order to explain the deficiencies identified. This is done though a qualitative, single case study. The research method uses an abductive approach, and data is collected through both participant observations and semi-structured interviews with managers and workers in order to compare the difference in perception of the current safety management system at the studied organization. The result is analyzed using a thematic analysis, in which four different themes are found, communication, organizational culture, organizational dynamics, and safety practices. The study identifies flawed communication as an underlying issue which results in multiple following deficiencies. A lack of organizational transparency and inefficient communication methods, fuels a confusion regarding the purpose and efficiency of safety measures, and undermines the workers trust in management’s commitment to safety. Consequently, workers perceived organizational support decreases, as well as their willingness to engage in constructive voice behavior and following safety protocol. This gap in understanding between management and workers forms organizational silos between the two actors, where not only communication and collaboration further decrease, but also a social identity within the groups where the other side isn’t seen as a collaborator, but rather a hinderance. The study concludes that the deficiencies in the organizational communication has created a downward spiral, exacerbating the gap between management and workers, and hinders the safety management system. Addressing the deficiencies identified in this study, one should focus on enhancing communication, fostering a mutual trust, and actively promote and prioritize workers engagement to safety practices.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-530621 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Sjöberg, Elias, Sandin, Theodor |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för samhällsbyggnad och industriell teknik |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | SAMINT-MILI ; 24005 |
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