Being Called to Safety: Occupational Callings and Safety Climate in the Emergency Medical Services

J Occup Environ Med. 2016 Dec;58(12):1245-1249. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000899.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of safety climate in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and to assess occupational callings as a boundary condition for the effect of safety climate on safety behaviors.

Methods: EMS professionals (n = 132) participated in a three-wave survey study. Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to test the moderating effects of occupational callings.

Results: Safety climate was significantly related to safety behavior, and occupational callings moderated this direct relationship (ΔR(2) = 0.02 to 0.03, P < 0.05). Specifically, when occupational callings were high, the relationship between safety climate and safety behaviors was stronger, and when occupational callings were low, the relationship was weaker.

Conclusion: In this EMS sample, safety climate was an important predictor of safety behavior. Further, occupational callings moderated this relationship, suggesting that callings may serve as a boundary condition.

MeSH terms

  • Career Choice*
  • Emergency Medical Services*
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Organizational Culture*
  • Safety Management*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires