TY - JOUR

T1 - Dealing Collectively with Critical Incident Stress Reactions in High Risk Work Environments

T2 - A case study on a European Air Navigation Services Provider

AU - Müller-Leonhardt, Alice

AU - Strøbæk, Pernille Solveig

AU - Vogt, joachim

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - aim of this paper is to shift the representation of coping patternswithin high risk occupations to an existential part of cultural pattern and socialstructure, which characterises high reliability organisations. Drawing upon thespecific peer model of critical incident stress management (CISM), in whichqualified operational peers support colleagues who experienced critical incidentstress, the paper discusses critical incident stress management in air trafficcontrol. Our study revealed coping patterns that co-vary with the culture thatthe CISM programme fostered within this specific high reliability organisation.Seen as a social construct, CISM culture was found effective in the interactionof operational staff, supervisors and the CISM programme manager. We wereable to demonstrate that social mechanisms of trust, interaction andcommunication are important factors in high reliability organisations. Indeed,we found that the CISM programme once integrated within the socio-culturalpatterns of this specific working environment enhanced not only individualfeelings of being supported but also organisational safety culture.Keywords: coping; safety culture; critical incident stress management; CISM;high risk occupation; high reliability organisation; socio-cultural patterns.

AB - aim of this paper is to shift the representation of coping patternswithin high risk occupations to an existential part of cultural pattern and socialstructure, which characterises high reliability organisations. Drawing upon thespecific peer model of critical incident stress management (CISM), in whichqualified operational peers support colleagues who experienced critical incidentstress, the paper discusses critical incident stress management in air trafficcontrol. Our study revealed coping patterns that co-vary with the culture thatthe CISM programme fostered within this specific high reliability organisation.Seen as a social construct, CISM culture was found effective in the interactionof operational staff, supervisors and the CISM programme manager. We wereable to demonstrate that social mechanisms of trust, interaction andcommunication are important factors in high reliability organisations. Indeed,we found that the CISM programme once integrated within the socio-culturalpatterns of this specific working environment enhanced not only individualfeelings of being supported but also organisational safety culture.Keywords: coping; safety culture; critical incident stress management; CISM;high risk occupation; high reliability organisation; socio-cultural patterns.

U2 - 10.1504/IJRAM.2015.069004

DO - 10.1504/IJRAM.2015.069004

M3 - Journal article

VL - 18

SP - 156

EP - 172

JO - International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management

JF - International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management

SN - 1466-8297

IS - 2

ER -