Short answer

Develop tools and systems that not only comply with safety regulations but actively foster and measure a positive safety orientation within the user group.

Field
Innovation & Design
Source
BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) (2007)
Method
Instrument Development and Validation
Evidence
Moderate effect

A validated tool can measure an organization's 'safety orientation,' reflecting attitudes and behaviors crucial for occupational health and safety. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2007 study published in BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)). Using Instrument development and validation, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Develop tools and systems that not only comply with safety regulations but actively foster and measure a positive safety orientation within the user group.

Study
Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Quantifying Safety Orientation: A Novel Metric for Maritime Organizations

A validated tool can measure an organization's 'safety orientation,' reflecting attitudes and behaviors crucial for occupational health and safety.

BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) · 2007

01

Key Findings

  • 01A definition for 'safety orientation' was established, encompassing cultural and contextual factors influencing occupational health and safety attitudes and behaviors.
  • 02An assessment tool was developed to measure safety orientation in shipping organizations.
  • 03The research identified a gap in previous studies regarding safety culture/climate specifically within the maritime context.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Develop tools and systems that not only comply with safety regulations but actively foster and measure a positive safety orientation within the user group.

How to apply

Use the principles of safety orientation measurement to inform the design of training programs, operational procedures, and safety equipment, ensuring they contribute to a measurable improvement in safety culture.

Project actions

  • 01When developing a new product, consider how it might impact or be perceived within a specific safety culture.
  • 02Think about how you could measure the 'user orientation' towards a particular design feature or product.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop and validate a tool for measuring safety orientation within the shipping industry.
MethodInstrument Development and Validation
ProcedureThe study involved an extensive literature review of safety culture and climate research from various industries, followed by the development of an initial assessment instrument. This instrument was then used to measure safety attitudes, climate, and culture among seafarers.
ContextMaritime industry (shipping)

Variables

IVCultural and contextual factors (e.g., organizational culture, regulations)
DVSafety orientation (attitudes and behaviors influencing occupational health and safety)
CVIndustry-specific norms and practices within shipping
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Addresses a research gap in the maritime safety context.
  • +Provides a practical tool for assessment and benchmarking.

Limitations

The sample size and specific context of the shipping industry might limit direct application to other design projects without adaptation.

Reliability & validity

The study likely employed methods such as internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach's alpha) to assess reliability and content/construct validity through expert review and correlation with related measures to establish validity.

Think critically

How might the concept of 'safety orientation' be adapted to measure user engagement or ethical considerations in the design of digital products?

05

Design Principles

"Safety is a measurable cultural attribute that can be influenced by design and organizational practices."

Understanding and quantifying safety orientation allows organizations to benchmark their safety performance, identify areas for improvement, and integrate safety as a key performance indicator within broader management strategies. This data-driven approach can lead to more effective safety interventions and a reduction in accidents.

06

What This Means for Your Design

This study created a way to measure how much a shipping company cares about safety, by looking at what people think and do. It's like giving safety a score.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of measuring user attitudes and behaviors related to safety or other critical aspects of product use.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The development of a tool to measure 'safety orientation' in the maritime industry (Håvold, 2007) highlights the potential for quantifying abstract cultural and behavioral factors. This approach is valuable for design projects aiming to influence or assess user attitudes and behaviors, providing a framework for developing metrics that go beyond simple functionality to encompass the broader impact of a design on user perception and practice.

09

Source

BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway))

From Safety Culture to Safety Orientation - Developing a tool to measure safety in shipping

journal · 2007

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about quantifying safety orientation: a novel metric for maritime organizations?
Develop tools and systems that not only comply with safety regulations but actively foster and measure a positive safety orientation within the user group. Evidence: BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) (2007).
Why does "Quantifying Safety Orientation: A Novel Metric for Maritime Organizations" matter for design?
Understanding and quantifying safety orientation allows organizations to benchmark their safety performance, identify areas for improvement, and integrate safety as a key performance indicator within broader management strategies. This data-driven approach can lead to more effective safety interventions and a reduction in accidents.
How can designers apply this research?
Develop tools and systems that not only comply with safety regulations but actively foster and measure a positive safety orientation within the user group.
What were the main findings?
A definition for 'safety orientation' was established, encompassing cultural and contextual factors influencing occupational health and safety attitudes and behaviors.. An assessment tool was developed to measure safety orientation in shipping organizations.. The research identified a gap in previous studies regarding safety culture/climate specifically within the maritime context.
What research method was used?
Instrument Development and Validation.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2007 journal from BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)).
What should I do differently in my next project?
Use the principles of safety orientation measurement to inform the design of training programs, operational procedures, and safety equipment, ensuring they contribute to a measurable improvement in safety culture.
What are the limitations?
The study's focus was specific to the shipping industry, and the generalizability of the tool to other sectors may require further investigation. The initial development phase might not have captured all potential influencing factors.