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Item Due diligence and psychosocial risk : examining the construction of compliance : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand(Massey University, 2024-07-20) Deacon, Louise JoyNew Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 introduced two significant changes to the country’s work health and safety regulatory landscape: (1) it placed a duty upon officers to ensure that the business of which they are an officer complies with its duties under the Act; (2) it broadened the definition of health to include mental health. The latter inclusion confirmed the scope of the Act to apply to psychosocial risks at work. Despite the officers’ duties being lauded as a profound change to New Zealand’s regulatory landscape, there has been little research investigating how officers respond to these legal duties. Further, internationally, there are significant gaps in knowledge regarding the role senior company managers play in psychosocial risk management, particularly relating to the intersect of legal responsibilities and psychosocial risks. This research adopted a Foucauldian analytical approach to examine how ideas about compliance and psychosocial risks are constructed and organised. Specifically, the research questions led to an investigation of the ways in which officers conceptualised and carried out their due diligence duties as they applied to the protection of workers’ mental health and the implications thereof. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 24 officers of large companies operating in New Zealand. The findings indicate that officers tended to discursively construct risk in ways which frequently obfuscated causes of harm arising from work while also problematising the possibility of eliminating or minimising risks to workers. Further, through a process of “risk translation,” psychosocial risks were often transformed into risks which were individualised, psychologised and managerialised. This translative effect functioned to displace psychosocial risks with risks which were more recognisable and amenable to management and posed less challenge to management prerogative. In this way, a dominant construction of risk came to represent worker mental health as a cause of risk to the organisation and the object of compliance, rather than a consequence of psychosocial risk exposure. The resultant compliance responses may therefore be considered symbolic in that they represented attention to legal ideals while marginalising the management of risks arising from work. Thus, the potential of work health and safety legislation to regulate psychosocial harm arising from work was largely curtailed, highlighting the limits of self-regulation in a legal context characterised by uncertainty and ambiguity.Item Worker voice and the health and safety regulatory system in New Zealand : an interpretivist case study inquiry in the commercial construction industry : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2021) Farr, DeirdreThe importance of involving workers in effective management of workplace health and safety (WHS) risks is well established. Transforming this rhetoric into sustainable practice continues to be a global problem. The siloed nature of industrial relations, WHS, human resource management and organisational behaviour debates has resulted in researchers talking past each other. Consequently, there is a dearth of literature drawing WHS research into contemporary debates exploring a broad range of direct and indirect forms of ‘worker voice’. The purpose of this thesis is to determine how and why the current statutory framework is contributing to enhancing workers’ involvement in workplace decisions that affect their WHS outcomes. This interpretivist constructivist multiple-case study applies a Multidisciplinary Analytical Model of Worker Voice to demonstrate how a multidisciplinary approach bridges divides and facilitates rich understanding of a contemporary phenomenon. The thesis clarifies the ambiguity and misunderstanding of terms that influence the interpretation and enactment of duties in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA). It identifies and maps the different forms of worker engagement, participation and representation (EP&R) that exist under the current statutory provisions in New Zealand, and more importantly, the influence of worker voice. This research enables us to understand how and under what conditions worker EP&R can thrive. The two-phase study involved semi-structured interviews with 14 key stakeholders at the macro and industry levels, and 31 case study participants in three large commercial construction organisations at the meso level. Secondary qualitative data sources included 12 observations, and public and organisational documents. Hermeneutic analysis and interpretation revealed how the current HSWA stimulated improvements in leadership and risk management. The characteristics of effective worker voice systems were co-constructed with the key stakeholders and developed into an EP&R Compliance Maturity Model of Worker Voice. This model highlighted proactive and reactive responses to the HSWA in the organisations operating in a low-union, high-risk context. The overarching perceptions of the HSWA reinvigorating interest in worker voice underpinned improvements in macro level tripartism and meso level engagement. However, traditional representation structures have been eroded rather than strengthened.Item Factors related to the cognitive appraisal of workplace health and safety change : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand(Massey University, 2019) Hurley, Matt RaymondHealth and safety change is a critical and ongoing factor in New Zealand workplaces today, aiming to contribute to the enhanced health and safety performance of both organisations and society. There is a gap in the literature surrounding how and what factors relate to individual's responses to specific organisational change, such as safety-oriented change; the majority of literature focuses on restructuring and predominantly negatively experienced changes (Biggane, Allen, Amis, Fugate, & Steinbauer, 2017). We utilise the theory of cognitive appraisal (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) integrated with a job demands and resources approach (Demerouti, Bakker, Nachreiner, & Schaufeli, 2001; Hobfoll, 1989) to explain why certain factors, such as Safety Climate, Role type, Perceived Scale of change, and Perceived Favourableness of change may relate to how individuals cognitively appraise change. Through the participation of 178 employees of various New Zealand organisations, within a multitude of industries and occupations, measures targeting the Perceived Scale at the personal and work unit level and Perceived Favourableness of change outcomes experienced, alongside measures of safety climate, challenge appraisal and threat appraisal with a number of demographic questions were distributed. Results demonstrated that Perceived Favourableness of change outcomes and Perceived Personal Scale of change played a key role in the appraisal process acting as situational factors predicting appraisal and emphasising the relevance of resource gain and its extrinsic and intrinsic value in change. Safety climate was found to not mediate responses to health and safety change, such as cognitive appraisal. Role type did not moderate appraisal. Findings indicated that organisations do not need to focus on developing a safety climate before implementing safety change and need to focus on perceptions of the scale and the favourable nature of change, utilising participation and involvement to achieve both desirable and functional change, and positive responses to the changes.Item Solvent neurotoxicity in vehicle collision repair workers : a thesis by publications presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2018) Keer, Samuel JohnPrevious studies have shown that vehicle collision repair workers may be at risk of solvent-induced symptoms of neurotoxicity. Changes in industry practices have likely resulted in reduced exposure, but little research has been conducted to assess whether this has reduced the risk of neurotoxicity. This thesis describes a series of studies, which aimed to assess: i) contemporary airborne solvent exposures in collision repair workers; ii) the determinants of airborne solvent exposures; iii) the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of neurotoxicity and objectively measured neuropsychological performance, compared to an unexposed reference group; iv) dose-response associations; and v) the effect of personal protective equipment (PPE) and good workplace hygiene on symptom prevalence. In total, 370 vehicle collision repair and 211 construction workers (reference group) were recruited. Personal airborne solvent exposure was assessed in 85 collision repair workers, and information on demographics, work practices and symptoms was collected by questionnaire. A sub-group of 47 collision repair and 51 reference workers also completed a battery of neuropsychological tests. Full-shift, airborne exposures were well below New Zealand and international occupational exposure limits (range, 0.04 – 16.5 ppm). Job title was the strongest predictor of exposure, and non-spraying tasks (e.g. mixing paint and cleaning equipment) were associated with higher exposures than spray painting itself. Collision repair workers reported significantly more symptoms of neurotoxicity than the reference group, with odds ratios (ORs) of 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.3; 2.4, 1.2-4.8; and 6.4, 1.8-23.0, for reporting ≥5, ≥10 and ≥15 symptoms, respectively. They also performed more poorly on neuropsychological tests, particularly those that measure attention/concentration and motor speed/dexterity (e.g. reference vs. collision repair group score on the RBANS total attention scale, -9.5, 95% CI, -15.9, -2.8). Consistent use of PPE (particularly gloves) and good workplace hygiene practices were strongly protective against symptoms, with reductions in risk of up to 90% for those who most consistently wore PPE. In conclusion, despite relatively low airborne exposure levels, collision repair workers continue to be at risk of solvent-induced neurotoxicity. These findings provide a strong evidence-base for the development and implementation of intervention programmes to reduce solvent exposures and associated morbidity in this population.Item Safety climate and the influence of leadership : a study of safety climate and the influence leadership training has on employee perceptions of health and safety : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Business Studies in Human Resource Management at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2017) Brooks, Christopher DavidThe aim of this study is to understand the influence leadership has upon safety in the workplace as seen through the eyes of its employees. This research was undertaken in the Island City of Singapore and associated with a business owned by a Multi-National Corporation, (MNC), operating locally. The research was carried out as a reflection of the organisations safety climate, through a professionally available questionnaire mechanism. While research and theory contend that safety culture is enduring and possibly more difficult to assess, it is recognised that safety climate is measureable and is considered to be a reflection of safety culture. Theory also contends safety climate as being a snap shot of the organisations ‘mood’ at a single point in time and therefore has a short shelf life. It is also recognised that the background to this study is done acknowledging the continued debate surrounding the understanding and definitions associated with the concepts organisational culture & climate, safety culture & climate. Leadership theory and research points out the importance of leadership on employee behaviour and motivation. The organisations’ senior leadership underwent intervention training provided by the author based upon leadership theory of a transformational style and workplace best practice. A Safety Climate questionnaire was provided to the participating employees of the MNC business and was repeated following a three-month interval. The study was quantitative, longitudinal and comparative in nature. The participating employees forming a control group and an intervention group. Following the leadership training the Senior Leadership was associated only with the employee intervention group. Safety climate analysis was undertaken with the findings being a result of questionnaire responses. Prior to the research it was expected that the results of the research would provide useful future guidance for organisations and their leadership. The author believed that the study would help organisational leadership better understand and make full use of the influence they have. This knowledge would in turn provide leadership the requisite emphasis to improve workplace safety and employee’s perception through the influence leadership holds. The study’s hypothesis was that a discernible difference should be noted between the ensuing assessments due to improved leadership and the understanding of the influence it holds. The improved leadership influence will be reflected in employee’s perception of management and workplace safety as captured in the safety climate questionnaire. It was believed that this research should help provide the organisation greater understanding of both an organisations safety climate, and leadership culture. Through this research the organisation should also recognise the role leadership influence plays and that the utilisation of safety climate assessment can be a useful and predictive tool. That its use can play a part in the organisations endeavour to reduce workplace injuries and help reduce the associated escalating financial cost to both employees and the organisation of such injuries and loss. The outcome from the study found a positive correlation to the research question and hypothesis with the safety climate results indicating a positive improvement for the intervention group associated with the leadership influence, as a direct consequence of the intervention training. The safety climate measurement improved significantly for the surveyed dimension of Management Commitment and the other management specific areas. The Safety Climate Index improvement for the dimension of Management Commitment alone increased by 41.03% and an overall increase of 16.95% across all of the nine survey dimensions.Item Absorbing risk : an examination of health and safety policy and practice of survey workers in two New Zealand market research organisations : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy at Massey University(Massey University, 2002) Campbell, Jacquelyn AnnThis qualitative enquiry explores the health and safety issues of survey workers in New Zealand. There is a dearth of literature concerning the acceptance and absorption of risk in this work environment; this thesis discusses the extent to which these workers both recognise and absorb risks inherent in their occupation. It presents a study of survey workers from two national organisations fictitiously named OpinionQuest and MarketMatrix. Who are these people who knock on doors and phone for our opinions? Are there significant hazards, and are survey workers aware of these? Analysis of the data suggests that survey workers recognise some obvious risks such as dogs and verbal abuse. Yet, many are ill prepared for less predictable dangers, whether from attempted assault, overt sexual overtures, or the road washing away. Recommendations emerging from the research relate to the provision of cellphones; systems for tracking the whereabouts of employees working in the field; and adequate coverage, in training, of the full range of risks that survey workers may encounter. Survey workers are pivotal to the success of their organisations. Without them, the entire process would cease to function.Item Understanding the process of change in occupational safety and health policy in advanced industrialised democracies : an examination of the international literature, and the experience of New Zealand between 1981 and 1992 : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 1997) Wren, JohnThe international literature on change in occupational safety and health policy contains a multiplicity of divergent and opposing disciplinary approaches and theoretical explanations for the various change outcomes that have occurred in advanced industrialised nations. However, commonalties in determining factors and policy debates across all advanced industrialised countries can be discerned. Analysis of the literature also indicates that, when compared to the general literature on public policy, there is an absence of 'process-orientated' theories and theories of the 'middle-range' about change in occupational safety and health policy. Furthermore, the current body of knowledge lacks any discussion or definition of what 'occupational safety and health policy' means. In terms of New Zealand, robust academic discussion of occupational safety and health policy is virtually absent, except for a few analyses in industrial relations textbooks and journals. Furthermore, the New Zealand analyses are also usually descriptive and lack critical analysis. This thesis begins the task of rectifying these criticisms by providing an original contribution in three areas. The first area of contribution is the provision of a thorough critical review of the current state of international knowledge concerning the process of change in occupational safety and health policy. The second area of contribution is the provision of a detailed analysis that characterises, describes and explains the New Zealand experience of change in occupational safety and health policy between 1981 and 1992. The final area of contribution is the presentation of a theory of the 'middle range' of change in occupational safety and health policy in advanced industrialised nations. In conjunction with the theory, a set of propositions are formulated concerning the origins and determinants of change, the policy issues that dominate debates, and the relationship between policy and the management of occupational safety and health in the workplace. The initial validity of the propositions is assessed by discussing them in the context of the international literature and the New Zealand experience. The conclusion is that there is a high degree of convergence between the policy debates in New Zealand and those occurring overseas - irrespective of cultural differences and institutional arrangements. Various comments by observers of the occupational safety and health policy process and debates in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia, can be seen to have direct relevance to New Zealand. The clear link between these countries is that they all have inherited the British legal system and ideas about industrial relations and property rights. The comparison highlights the fact that at the core of occupational safety and health policy there is conflict, inherent within the capitalist system of production, over the forms of control of the social relations of health and safety in the workplace. At the centre of this conflict are the representatives of workers and employers. Resolution of the general direction of the debates is ultimately determined by the political party in power. Equally important though, are the views of the representatives of government whose job it is to advise Government, and provide the policy details.Item Workforce survey of occupational exposures and health effects in New Zealand : a thesis by publications presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2011) Eng, Amanda JaneThis thesis is based on the first workforce survey in New Zealand to assess occupational exposures and health in a random sample of the working population. The aims of this thesis were to: i) describe the prevalence and distribution of occupational exposures and workplace practices in the New Zealand working population; ii) identify gender and ethnic differences in occupational exposure; and iii) examine which occupational risk factors contribute to the risk of respiratory disease. Over a two year period 10,000 individuals aged 20-64 were randomly selected from the Electoral Roll and invited to take part in a telephone interview. The interview obtained information on lifetime work history, occupational exposures including dust/chemical exposures and certain physical and organisational factors, and selected health effects including respiratory symptoms. A total of 3,003 interviews were completed (37% response rate). Occupational exposure to dust/chemical and certain physical factors were disproportionately experienced by workers in the agricultural, trades, and manufacturing sectors, where prevalences were as high as 75%. However, exposures also occurred in other occupational groups not traditionally associated with hazardous exposures (for example the legislators and managers group). Substantial differences in exposure prevalence were observed between males and females and Maori and non-Maori workers. The occupations positively associated with current and adult-onset asthma included printers, bakers, and sawmill labourers, as well as several occupations that have not been previously associated with asthma (for example teachers and certain sales professionals). Finally, a positive association between work-related stress and asthma was identified. This thesis indicates that the traditional chemical and physical exposures are common in the New Zealand working population, and that emerging factors such as organisational and psychosocial exposures are also prevalent and relevant to occupational health. While the distribution of occupational exposures and risk factors for asthma were concentrated in certain occupational groups, they were also more widely spread across the workforce than previously assumed. Besides occupation, the demographic characteristics of a worker also appeared to determine their occupational exposure. The findings of this thesis illustrate that workforce surveys are a valuable tool for assessing a wide range of exposures in a wide range of workers, and therefore should be carried out on a regular basis.