Contextualising new safety paradigms: A study in a large Australian construction company

Abstract

Considering the scarcity of empirical studies about the contextualisation of new safety initiatives, this exploratory study was performed in a large Australian construction company to assess the presence, implementation appetite and feasibility of 12 principles representing new safety paradigms. First, during focus group sessions, 53 participants, perceived as useful and feasible for further consideration 11 out of the 12 principles. Subsequently, a cross-sectional survey of 514 employees revealed varying degrees of current presence and implementation appetite across business units. While statistical analyses showed some differences across variables such as business units, job roles, and years of experience, the small effect sizes indicated these differences had no practical significance. The study findings demonstrate that implementing new safety principles requires contextualisation to specific organisational needs and highlight the value of participatory approaches in capturing diverse perspectives. A key conclusion is that successful implementation demands tailored strategies across different business units rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Overall, this research contributes to the broader discourse exploring the perceived value of new safety paradigms in the industry.