Breaking the clay layer

The role of middle managers in safety management

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Published Date

2018

Language

English

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Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Department

Values Technology and Innovation

Research Group

Safety and Security Science

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of middle management in safety within hazardous industries such as the oil and gas industries. In so doing, the study has answered the main research question, what are the roles and responsibilities of middle managers in risk management and safety oriented decision-making? To achieve the objectives of safety management, which are primarily the protection of personnel, environment and assets, it is essential to understand the organisational context. An organisation is constructed from different layers of management with interlinked and complex roles. Middle management, who occupy the middle-level positions, is a fundamental management level in an organisation because they are informed managers, operating between people who have a narrow vision which is limited by their own segments, typically front line operatives, and the top/central executive management, who have a broad picture of an organisation that may be unclear as a result of their distance from the operation.