Person-environment fit and accident prediction

Person-environment (P-E) fit theory suggests that poor fit may result in lowered performance and productivity and may possibly influence the occurrence of accidents and injuries. A sample of transportation workers (N=696) and their supervisors (N=117) completed an instrument designed to measure their attitudes towards and fit with their work environment and supervisory safety practices. Results of a MANOVA in the first study found significant differences on P-E fit measures between workers who had and had not been injured in the previous twelve months. Results of a discriminant analysis correctly classified 68.8% of workers who became injured after completing the research instrument. Implications of these results are discussed.