Psychosocial Safety Climate, Psychosocial Safety Behavior, and Injury Reporting among Latino and Non-Latino Construction Workers in New York City: A Correlational Study

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States and across the world. Latino construction workers are disproportionately more prone to injury and death while at work and are more willing to take on dangerous assignments for fear of losing their jobs. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between psychosocial safety climate (PSC) and psychosocial safety behavior (PSB) among Latino and non-Latino construction workers in New York State. A second purpose was to examine the relationship between PSC and injury reporting among Latino and non-Latino construction workers. Previous research showed a positive relationship between PSC and PSB as well as PSC and injury reporting. However, this is the first study to examine the relationship between PSC and PSB and PSC and injury reporting among Latino and non-Latino construction workers in the United States. Participants were Latino and non-Latino construction workers (N = 137) employed in the construction sector in New York State, USA. The researcher conducted Pearson’s correlation analysis between the five subscales and overall score of the PSC scale and the two subscales and overall score of the PSB scale. The researcher assessed injury reporting by in-group comparisons of those who stated they had been injured to those who reported not having been injured in the past 12 months. Results showed a positive relationship between PSC and PSB among both Latino and non-Latino construction workers. Results also showed no relationship between PSC and injury reporting. The main theoretical recommendation is to explore the relationship between PSC and different types of PSB to inquire as to potential behaviors that influence construction workers’ safety.