THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SAFETY IN THE FIREWORKS INDUSTRY
17th International Symposium on Fireworks
17 Simposio Internacional a Fuegos Artificiales
May 6-10, 2019
Mayo 6-10, 2019
Puerto Vallarta, México
Alberto Navarro
Susan Hunt
Infinity Visions Inc.
Bellevue, WA. USA
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SAFETY IN THE FIREWORKS INDUSTRY
Creating a safer environment by nurturing the conscience and culture of safety in the fireworks industry.
Alberto Navarro
Infinity Visions Inc.
Bellevue, WA. U.S.A
ABSTRACT
All of the workshops, seminars, plans, regulations and signs posted on the wall for safety regulations will
be insignificant if there is not a culture of safety instilled in fireworks factories and fireworks
communities. This can especially be an issue in countries where a majority of workers have only had
access to basic levels of education and training.
How then can the fundamentals of safety be instilled into the conscience of the fireworks workers and the
uniqueness of the fireworks community?
A company’s organizational culture, or corporate culture, is created in large by its employee’s attitudes
and beliefs. This holds true for any company, including fireworks factories. The correct and continuous
attitude towards safety is critical to prevent incidents. Labour laws and safety professionals commonly
use the word “safety incidents” instead of “accidents”.
The development of habits to identify safety and risky behaviors on site could result in the long term in a
greater culture of workplace safety. Workplace strategies to measure attitudes towards safety can help
minimize risk but also can promote awareness of problems and changes needed.
This paper discusses some of the most relevant studies on the safety culture in Hazardous Industries, and
how they may relate and adapt to the unique needs of the fireworks industry.