Understanding the Relationship Between Safety Satisfaction and Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), and Their Relevant Processes Through Self-Determination Theory

Although previous studies identified safety indicators and their significant correlations, some construction projects still fail to comply with this pattern. Furthermore, the past literature has rarely explored this issue. To address this gap, this study examined (1) the relationship between safety satisfaction and TRIR, (2) factors influencing safety satisfaction, and (3) factors affecting TRIR. Data from 195 safety officers were analyzed using self-determination theory and safety performance measures. Correlation analysis showed a weak correlation and non-significant link between satisfaction and TRIR, challenging common assumptions. To explore objectives (2) and (3), projects were divided into small-scale and large-scale categories using latent profile analysis and one-way ANOVA, identifying three officer profiles per category. These profiles were compared based on support from managers, motivation, and engagement, with in-depth interviews validating the quantitative findings. For small-scale projects, three safety officer characteristics emerged: (1) realistic officers, (2) perfectionistic officers, and (3) undemanding officers. Large-scale projects revealed similar characteristics for realistic and perfectionistic officers, while a third type, learning officers, emerged. This study revealed hidden characteristics linking safety satisfaction and TRIR in both project scales, emphasizing the need for tailored safety initiatives to enhance officers’ capabilities (i.e., in managing conflicts and unexpected events).