TUTORIAL 16
GROUP ACTIVITIES
1. Working in groups, answer the question, "Is there such a thing as an accidentprone person?" Develop your answer using examples of actual people you know
who seemed to be accident-prone on some endeavor. Yes and No. While most
psychologists agree that accident proneness is not universal, most do agree that accident
proneness is situational. For example, personality traits may distinguish accident-prone
workers on jobs involving risk, and lack of motor skills may distinguish accident-prone
workers on jobs involving coordination. Many human traits have been found to be related
to accident repetition in specific situations. (LO 16.5; AACSB: Analytic Skills; Learning
Outcome: Discuss best practices in promoting workplace safety)
2. Working in groups, compile a list of the factors at work or in school that create
dysfunctional stress for you. What methods do you use for dealing with the
stress? The students should refer to the section of the chapter on reducing job stress to
compile their lists of stress factors and methods for dealing with the stress, and to also
find out more about some specific types of jobs in which they may have an interest. (LO
16.5; AACSB: Analytic Skills; Learning Outcome: Discuss best practices in promoting
workplace safety)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Explain how to reduce the occurrence of unsafe acts on the part of your
employees. The text lists 10 different ways to help reduce unsafe acts. Answers should
reflect at least a majority of these. (LO 16.5; AACSB: Communication Skills; Learning
Outcome: Discuss best practices in promoting workplace safety)
2. Discuss the basic facts about OSHA – its purpose, standards, inspection, and
rights and responsibilities. The purpose of OSHA is "to assure so far as possible every
working man and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions and to
preserve our human resources." The basic purpose of OSHA is to set safety and health
standards and to ensure compliance through inspections and reporting. The standards
are contained in five volumes covering general industry standards, maritime standards,
construction standards, other regulations and procedures, and a field operations manual.
The standards are very complete and seem to cover just about any hazard one could
think of. Standards are enforced through a series of inspections and, if necessary,
citations. OSHA may not conduct warrantless inspections without an employer's consent.
It may inspect after acquiring a search warrant. An authorized employee representative
must be given the opportunity to accompany the officer during the inspection. Employees
are protected under the act from discrimination for exercising their disclosure rights.
Employers are responsible for being familiar with OSHA standards and for bringing
conditions into compliance. (LO 16.2; AACSB: Communication Skills; Learning Outcome:
Discuss best practices in promoting workplace safety)
3. Explain the supervisor's role in safety. Beyond trying to make the workplace safe, the
basic aim of the supervisor is to instill in workers the desire to work safely. Then, when
needed, enforce safety rules. (LO 16.1; AACSB: Communication Skills; Learning
Outcome: Discuss best practices in promoting workplace safety)
4. Explain what causes unsafe acts. People are the main cause of unsafe acts. Some
researchers say that certain personal characteristics are the basis for behavioral
tendencies that result in unsafe acts. There are several human traits that contribute to
accident proneness, and they are listed in the chapter. There is also a list of some
examples of unsafe acts. (LO 16.3; AACSB: Communication Skills; Learning Outcome:
Discuss best practices in promoting workplace safety)
5. Describe at least five techniques for reducing accidents. The text lists 10
techniques: 1) selection and placement; 2) posters and other propaganda; 3) training; 4)
incentive programs and positive reinforcement; 5) top-management commitment; 6)
emphasizing safety; 7) establishing a safety policy; 8) setting specific loss control goals;
9) conducting safety and health inspections; 10) monitoring work overload and stress.
These are detailed in the chapter. (LO 16.4; AACSB: Communication Skills; Learning
Outcome: Discuss best practices in promoting workplace safety)
6. Explain how you would reduce stress at work. Both environmental and personal
factors can lead to job stress. If individuals are feeling dysfunctional levels of stress, the
work schedule, pace of work, job security, and number or nature of clients, modifications
in these factors should be made. Because personal factors influence stress, health and
exercise programs can be promoted. Sometimes counseling should be offered,
especially through an EAP, or a job more suitable to the individual should be found.
Supervisors should monitor performance to identify symptoms of stress, and inform the
employee of organizational remedies that may be available, such as job transfers or
counseling. (LO 16.6; AACSB: Communication Skills; Learning Outcome: Discuss best
practices in promoting workplace safety)
7. Describe the steps employers can take to reduce workplace violence. Some of the
steps employers can take to reduce workplace violence include heightening security
measures, improving employee screening, providing training on workplace violence,
enhancing attention given to employee retention and dismissal of violent employees,
instituting proactive measures for dealing with angry employees, and being aware of the
legal constraints associated with workplace violence. (LO 16.5; AACSB: Communication
Skills; Learning Outcome: Discuss best practices in promoting workplace safety)