Characterizing the relationship between personality traits and safety behavior among mine workers: The mediating role of occupational stress

BackgroundSince the occurrence of unsafe behaviors is mostly influenced by personality traits and the impact of occupational stress on individuals varies. Therefore, examining the personality dimensions and occupational stress of workers can be used as predictive tools for safety behaviors.ObjectiveThis study evaluated the link between personality traits and safety behaviors in mine workers, considering occupational stress as a mediating factor.MethodsThis descriptive correlational study was conducted on 600 workers employed in the mining industries of eastern Iran. Data were collected by the safety behavior questionnaire, NEO-FFI personality traits, and Osipow occupational stress inventory. This study employed Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques using SmartPLS 3 to analyze data.ResultsThe results indicated that the personality traits of openness to experience (β = 0.095, <i>p</i> <i>=</i> <i>0.025</i>) and conscientiousness (β = 0.110, <i>p</i> <i>=</i> <i>0.008</i>) have positive and significant effects on safety compliance. The direct effects of extraversion (β = 0.136, <i>p</i> <i>=</i> <i>0.002</i>) and openness (β = 0.149, <i>p</i> <i><</i> <i>0.001</i>) were also positive and significant on safety participation, while neuroticism showed a negative and significant effect on safety participation (β = -0.099, <i>p</i> <i>=</i> <i>0.035</i>). The results also confirmed a mediating role of occupational stress in the relationship between individual traits and safety behaviors of the workers.ConclusionsMining managers should pay more attention to the personality traits of workers, and improving work conditions to reduce occupational stress can lead to increased safety behaviors among workers.