The Relationship Between Safety Climate and Safety Performance in the Large-Scale Building Construction Industry in Ethiopia: A Structural Equation Model Using the NOSACQ-50 Tool
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsMore context would have been helpful. The Nordic safety climate questionnaire was used. How does this differ from other safety climate tools available?
A greater understanding how health and safety in Ethiopia is currently managed at a regulatory and statutory level would have given greater context.
Author Response
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Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsLine 47 - 48: " Modern occupational health and safety theories have developed, considering organizational and management aspects that explain how the system functions." While this is a true statement, there is need to discuss this further and add newer references. For example, discuss the findings of the following newly published article: Al-Bayati, A.J. Impact of Construction Safety Culture and Construction Safety Climate on Safety Behavior and Safety Motivation. Safety 2021, 7, 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety7020041
Line 54: The authors should create a comprehensive literature review regarding Safety Climate. Citing two articles is enough. Safety Cliamte's definition is a debated concept. The previously mentioned article can be utilized for that.
Write the name of the dimensions in Figure 1.
The authors need to justify using (NOSACQ- 114), despite other available measurements. Creating a table of different measurements is recommended to make readers aware.
The authors should revise the findings and discussion sections to focus on practical implementation and less on statistics.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Good
Author Response
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Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsPaper could benefit from a clear description of the "safety climate" (SC) in terms of training of the workers surveyed and about what characterises this term. In fact, the training and preparation for safety in construction sites and with construction workers may influence largely the safety behaviour of the workers. Paper could benefit from a more complete definition of what it is the SC, what is the safety competences of workers, did the workers had assessment on their training, etc. In terms of questions were the workers trained to understand concepts like "perception of management empowerment"? A transcript of the survey questions and the explanation for workers of meanings of phrases in the questions would be a good contribution to understand the possible added value of the survey done.
Author Response
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Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis study investigates the relationship between safety climate and safety performance in Ethiopia’s large-scale construction industry. In particular, the paper highlights using the NOSACQ-50 tool and its statistical analysis approach.
Here are listed my remarks:
1) Although the title sounds clear and relevant and accurately reflects the study's focus, I suggest emphasizing the NOSACQ-50 tool in the title for added specificity.
2) I suggest explicitly mentioning the sample size and its significance to the study's reliability. Moreover, I recommend including more details on the practical implications of findings for the Ethiopian construction industry.
3) Please cite relevant studies, particularly regarding the NOSACQ-50 tool and safety climate literature.
4) In the Discussion section I suggest discussing potential limitations of the cross-sectional design, such as causality issues.
5) Please discuss the study limitations, such as reliance on self-reported data or potential interviewer bias.
6) Please propose future research directions.
Finally, some minor remarks:
7) please define "M" in Structural Equation (SEM)
8) in sec. 3.2 "The mean, standard deviation, and reliability.." it is not clear how reliability has been assessed. Please add some clarifications.
9) In tab. 4 I suggest writing KMO since it has been already defined as an acronym.
10) please add a short section in which all the statistical indicators used in the paper are defined. This would improve the readability of the paper.
Author Response
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Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsAccept in present form
Author Response
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Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis reviewer still believes the discussion about the differences between safety culture and climate and their definitions is insufficient. There is a need for an in-depth review of this concept. A table showing the similarities and differences based on the publications during the last 10 years is needed.
Also, there is a need to provide a table showing the current measurement techniques for safety culture and climate.
Without these changes, the article should be accepted for publication.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageSeems fine
Author Response
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Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsPaper could benefit from a deep analysis of the statistical representativity of the sample. Paper could be improved by the desk research about the influence of climate in the construction safety in other regions of the world. Another possible improvement is the analysis of equipment (personal and collective) to improve safety. Paper could benefit from the inclusion of the training context and cultural habits related with climate in prevention of climate effects. Paper refers training on safety but without description of the training related with climate influence. Examples of the training to answer the survey could also benefit the paper, especially if this activity was assessed in terms of acquiring knowledge, skills or attitudes.
Author Response
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Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe paper has now improved, and all the criticisms have been addressed. I believe the current version of the paper could be considered for publication.
Author Response
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Round 3
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsUnfortunately, the authors did address my comments. Again, please carefully consider the following:
1. This reviewer still believes the discussion about the differences between safety culture and climate and their definitions is insufficient.
2. There is a need for an in-depth review of this concept. A table showing the similarities and differences based on the publications during the last 10 years is needed.
3. There is a need to provide a table showing the current measurement techniques for safety culture and climate.
To address these, a significant revision is required. These comments will not be addressed by adding two sentences. Without these changes, the article should be accepted for publication.
Author Response
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Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsPaper could have some of the information in the study can be used in other contexts.
Author Response
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Round 4
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis reviewer still believes the discussion about the differences between safety culture and climate and their definitions is insufficient. There is a need for an in-depth review of this concept. A table showing the similarities and differences based on the publications during the last 10 years is needed.
Also, there is a need to provide a table showing the current measurement techniques for safety culture and climate.
Without these changes, the article should be accepted for publication.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageN/A
Author Response
Thank you for the reply of 14 Feb 2025. We would like to ask if there is a misunderstanding here. The reviewer 2 asks for a major revision, mentioning 2 points (1 and 2 below), with the same questions as last time. We revised the manuscript according to the same advice from this reviewer date 16 Jan 2025, as described below:
- This reviewer still believes the discussion about the differences between safety culture and climate and their definitions is insufficient. There is a need for an in-depth review of this concept. A table showing the similarities and differences based on the publications during the last 10 years is needed.
Answer: In the manuscript, lines 91-92, we have inserted a Table 1 with the information about the main different definitions used in the period 2008-2018.
- Also, there is a need to provide a table showing the current measurement techniques for safety culture and climate.
Answer: We have included a Table 2 on line 156 in the manuscript, showing 6 safety climate tools in the construction industry.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 5
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe addition of Table 1 is commendable. However, the time frame of the included articles is outdated. You should update the table by incorporating the following articles:
- Berglund, L., J. Johansson, M. Johansson, M. Nygren, and M. Stenberg.2023. “Exploring safety culture research in the construction industry.”Work 76 (2): 549–560. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-220214.
- Al-Bayati, A. J., A. Karakhan, and A. Alzarrad. 2024. “Quantifying the mediating effect of frontline supervisors on workers’ safety actions: A construction safety culture focus.” Pract. Period. Struct. Des. Constr. 29 (3). https://doi.org/10.1061/PPSCFX.SCENG-1514.
Moreover, it is essential to discuss the differences and similarities. Accordingly, this should guide you in identifying the framework used in your study.
I look forward to reviewing the revised version of the table and the new discussion
N/A
Author Response
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Round 6
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsAll good
