The effect of leader communication style on the safety climate in the construction industry

This study explored the effect of leader communication style on safety climate in the construction industry. This quantitative study examined six independent variables of leader communication style to explain variability in two dependent variables significant to safety climate. The population for this study enlisted employees from member organizations with a professional association representing US investor-owned electric companies. Leader communication style and safety climate was measured through the lens of electric workers by measuring their perceptions from a 40 question Likert Scale survey instrument. The participants work at power generation plants, transmission line, substation or within the gas utility industry known for higher risk and unsafe working conditions. The results of the study demonstrated that a relationship exists between leader communication style and both dependent variables; management committed to safety and employees involved in safety. In addition, the multiple linear regression statistical approach employed higher order terms resulting in new knowledge about the effect of combinations of leader communication style variables on safety climate in the construction industry.