The role of fatalistic beliefs and safety climate in predicting work situation awareness among workers of one petrochemical industry in Asaluyeh, Iran, in 2014

Background: An important factor in the prevention of industrial accidents is the ability of employees to maintain awareness of the work situation, understand the information it holds, and predict how situations will develop. In the present study, we examined the role of fatalistic beliefs and safety climate in predicting occupational situation awareness (SA) among workers. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 180 employees of one petrochemical industry in Asaluyeh, Iran, in 2014. Subjects were selected using the stratified random sampling method and responded to questionnaires about demographic characteristics, occupational SA (Sneddon et al.), fatalistic beliefs (Williamson et al.), and safety climate (Hayes et al.). The data were analyzed using correlation techniques and stepwise regression. Results: The results showed internal correlation among fatalistic beliefs, safety climate, and occupational SA. Moreover, the results of stepwise regression analysis revealed that fatalistic beliefs and safety climate significantly predicted, respectively, almost 18% and 20% of variances of occupational SA among workers. Conclusions: According to the findings of the present study, fatalistic beliefs and safety climate can predict occupational SA. Therefore, considering these variables can be important in promoting the awareness of work situation among workers.