Leadership Practices That Improve the Workplace Safety Environment

Leadership Practices that Improve the Workplace Safety Environment by Nathan Nomore Chikono MA, University of Zimbabwe, 2010 BCOM, University of South Africa, 2008 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2017 Abstract Inadequate leadership is the reason workplace accidents in the mining industry remain high, making the industry one of the most hazardous operational activities in the world. Unsafe leadership practices may result in death or injury to workers. A group of 30 mining company leaders from 3 gold mines in Zimbabwe revealed an exception to these hazardous practices, however, notable through their outstanding safety improvementInadequate leadership is the reason workplace accidents in the mining industry remain high, making the industry one of the most hazardous operational activities in the world. Unsafe leadership practices may result in death or injury to workers. A group of 30 mining company leaders from 3 gold mines in Zimbabwe revealed an exception to these hazardous practices, however, notable through their outstanding safety improvement records. To better understand what these practitioners were doing, this multicase study research design explored their strategies to improve the workplace safety environment in the mines. Data were collected using audio-recorded semistructured interviews and document analyses. Shewhart’s plan-do-check-act conceptual framework anchored the study. Data analysis followed the thematic data analytic approach involving classification, coding, and interpretation to identify common themes. The following themes emerged: planning and organizing, leading, and risk management. The findings indicate that the business leaders created a safe work environment by planning the work to be performed; how the task would be executed; and when, where, and who performed the task. The results of study also indicate that leaders designed the work environment, trained, empowered, and equipped employees with the relevant skills, and provided appropriate technology and personal protective equipment to improve workplace safety. Finally, the research findings indicate that leaders embedded risk management principles and practices in every process or activity, and continuously learned from each event to create a safe work environment. The findings promote social change by encouraging safe behavior and risk-based thinking and practices in the workforce and the community. Leadership Practices that Improve the Workplace Safety Environment by Nathan Nomore Chikono MA, University of Zimbabwe, 2010 BCOM, University of South Africa, 2008 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University April 2017 Dedication I dedicate this study to all the business leaders confronted with the goal of championing safety at the workplace. I further commend all business leaders who prioritise workplace safety and promote risk-based thinking and practices. Achieving zero harm at the workplace is a challenge. However, for those leaders who commit to reducing workplace accidents, the results of their efforts will be rewarded through saved lives, avoidance of injury, sustainability, and economic prosperity. Acknowledgments I acknowledge the support of my family during the course of the doctoral study. My wife and children sacrificed family time to allow me to concentrate on the study program. I also thank faculty and classmates who contributed by sharing notes, advice, and ideas on my study. Finally, I acknowledge the support of my employers who sponsored the studies, gave me leave to study, and allowed me time off to attend the residencies. I am greatly indebted to the board of directors for investing in my personal development. Without all the support, the doctoral study could have been an impossible task to accomplish.