Linking empowering leadership to safety participation in nuclear power plants: a structural equation model

Abstract

Introduction: Safety participation is of paramount importance in guaranteeing the safe running of nuclear power plants.

Method: The present study examined the effects of empowering leadership on safety participation.

Results: Based on a sample of 495 employees from two Spanish nuclear power plants, structural equation modeling showed that empowering leadership has a significant relationship with safety participation, which is mediated by collaborative team learning. In addition, the results revealed that the relationship between empowering leadership and collaborative learning is partially mediated by the promotion of dialogue and open communication.

Conclusions: The implications of these findings for safety research and their practical applications are outlined.

Impact on industry: An empowering leadership style enhances workers' safety performance, particularly safety participation behaviors. Safety participation is recommended to detect possible rule inconsistencies or misunderstood procedures and make workers aware of critical safety information and issues.