Effect of Risk Perception on Safety Behavior among Chinese Frontline Construction Workers: The Roles of Social Support and Job Satisfaction

Abstract

There has been a great controversy about the impact of risk perception influence on safety behavior. This study aimed to go a step further understands how risk perception can affect safety behavior and of how job satisfaction and social support may influence that relationship, based on the job demandsresources theory. Using a questionnaire survey, we collected data from 356 frontline construction workers from 12 construction sites in Chengdu, China. Risk perception was found to be a “challenge demand” that improved safety compliance, and a “hindrance demand” that reduced job satisfaction. In contrast, risk perception had no direct influence on safety participation. Job satisfaction suppressed the relationship between risk perception and safety compliance, while it mediated the relationship between risk perception and safety participation. In addition, social support moderated the impact of risk perception on job satisfaction, while job satisfaction increased both safety compliance and participation. Therefore, managers can improve safety behavior by improving social support and job satisfaction among construction workers.