Learning and Policy Making in Occupational Safety Using A Dynamic Simulation

Occupational safety is a complex phenomenon. If occupational safety management is to be successful, both the systematic and the systemic aspects of safety need to be understood. System dynamics modelling appears to be an appropriate methodology for exploring the array of occupational safety strategies open to employers. This paper summarises the process of developing, then empirically testing a dynamic simulation model of occupational safety management in an industrial setting. The empirical validity and pedagogic utility of the system dynamics model was evaluated using an interview with the managers of the firm hosting the empirical testing of the model. The utility and effectiveness of the model was further explored through modelling a number of safety scenarios. The outcome of this research indicates that the occupational safety model has the capability for acting as an instruction tool to improve understanding of occupational safety and also as an aid to policy making.