Management practices as antecedents of safety culture within the trucking industry: similarities and differences by hierarchical level

PROBLEM: A homogeneous perception of safety is important for the achievement of a strong safety culture; however, employees may differ in their safety perceptions, depending on their position and/or hierarchical level within the organization. Moreover, there is limited information on the antecedents of safety culture. This study examines how safety training, driver scheduling autonomy, opportunity for safety input, and management commitment to safety influence individuals' perceptions of safety culture. METHOD: Data for this study were drawn from 116 trucking firms, stratified by three safety performance levels. The data were collected from drivers (lowest hierarchical level), dispatchers (medium hierarchical level), and safety directors (highest hierarchical level), regarding their perceptions of their respective corporate safety cultures. Perceptions of safety culture were analyzed through a linear regression using dummy variables to differentiate among the three hierarchical groups. The resulting model allowed for examination of the specific antecedents of safety culture for the three employee groups and the extent to which the hierarchical groups were in agreement with each other. RESULTS: Driver fatigue training, driver opportunity for safety input, and top management commitment to safety were perceived to be integral determinants of safety culture in all three groups. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Trucking firms seeking to strengthen employees' perceptions of safety culture might begin by improving these safety management practices while appreciating that they may have a different impact depending on the employee's hierarchical position (e.g., drivers' perceptions of safety culture are more influenced by top management commitment and driver fatigue training). A fourth safety practice examined, driver scheduling autonomy, was not found to be instrumental in shaping safety culture for any of the three hierarchical levels. Consistent with previous research, implementation of stronger safety cultures should result in fewer accidents.     

Use of Soil and Water Protection Practices Among Farmers in Three Midwest Watersheds

Data were collected from 1011 farmers in three Midwestern watersheds (Ohio, Iowa, and Minnesota) to assess factors that influence the use of conservation production systems at the farm level. The “vested interests” perspective used to guide the investigation was derived from elements of social learning and social exchange theories. Respondents were asked to indicate their frequency of use for 18 agricultural production practices that could be adopted on Midwestern farms at the time of the study. Responses to the 18 items were summed to form a composite variable, termed “conservation production index,” for use as the dependent variable in multivariate analysis. Eleven independent variables were identified from the theory as likely predictors of conservation adoption, including respondents' perceptions about production costs, output and risks, and perceived importance of access to subsidies, technical assistance, and informational/educational programs. Regression analysis was used to assess the performance of the independent variables in explaining variance in the conservation production index. Explained variance in the three regression models ranged from 2% in the Minnesota watershed to 19% in the Ohio watershed. The researchers concluded that the model had limited utility in predicting adoption of conservation production systems within the three study watersheds. Findings are discussed in the context of conservation programs within the three areas.     

Evaluation of an Infiltration Best Management Practice Utilizing Pervious Concrete1

Abstract: A pervious concrete infiltration basin was installed on the campus of Villanova University in August 2002. A study was undertaken to determine what contaminants, if any, were introduced to the soils underlying the site as a result of this best management practice (BMP). The average infiltration rate at the site is approximately 10^?4 cm/s. The drainage area (5,208 m²) consists of grassy surfaces (36%), standard concrete/asphalt (30%), and roof surfaces (30%) that directly connect to the infiltration beds via downspouts and storm sewers. Composite samples of infiltrated stormwater were collected from the vadose zone using soil moisture suction devices. Discrete samples were collected from a port within an infiltration bed and a downspout from a roof surface. Samples from 17 storms were analyzed for pH, conductivity, and concentrations of suspended solids, dissolved solids, chloride, copper, and total nitrogen. Copper and chloride were the two constituents of concern at this site. Copper was introduced to the system from the roof, while chloride was introduced from deicing practices. Copper was not found in porewater beneath 0.3 m and the chloride was not significant enough to impact the ground water. This research indicates that with proper siting, an infiltration BMP will not adversely impact the ground water.     

POLLUTANTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAND AND SALT APPLIED TO ROADS IN MINNESOTA1

ABSTRACT: The component of snowmelt pollutant washoff due to sand and salt application to roadways in Minnesota is simulated. Laboratory methods are used to extract various pollutants from sand-salt mixtures commonly used in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area of Minnesota for keeping winter road conditions safe. Values derived in the laboratory are compared with actual snowmelt runoff values to estimate the contribution of materials application. High concentrations of solids, phosphorus, lead and zinc in snowmelt from road surfaces axe due in part to sand and salt spread to improve winter driving conditions. The source of the sand and salt appears to be influential in determining the pollutant levels. Judicious use and careful application of materials can reduce the increment of pollution due to anti-skid sand and salt applied to road surfaces.     

SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICES AND WATER QUALITY: IS EROSION CONTROL THE ANSWER?1

ABSTRACT: This paper is a computer simulation analysis of an agricultural nonpoint pollution problem. Computer modeling is a universally applicable tool that can be used for establishing the linkages between and the quality of agricultural runoff in both surface and subsurface flow. The tradeoffs between the costs of soil conservation practices and water quality are reported, and the economic implications of such tradeoffs are discussed. Soil and nutrient losses resulting from crop production practices are analyzed using a field-scale computer simulation model (CREAMS). No-till planting, reduced tillage, and sod waterway systems are more cost effective than other practices for controlling soil and nutrient runoff losses. Nitrate leaching losses are increased slightly by most soil conservation practices. Terrace systems and permanent vegetative cover impose the greatest societal cost for water quality protection. Public cost sharing and tax incentives encourage farmers to adopt expensive structural practices, and policies are needed to get cost-effective practices implemented on critical acreage. Extensive treatment of land is necessary for agricultural best management practices (BMPs) to significantly improve water quality in areas that are intensively farmed.     

Four years of free-air CO2 enrichment enhance soil C concentrations in a Chinese wheat field

Elevated atmospheric CO2 can influence soil C dynamics in agroecosystems. The e ects of free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) and N fertilization on soil organic C (Corg), dissolved organic C (DOC), microbial biomass C (Cmic) and soil basal respiration (SBR) were investigated in a Chinese wheat field after expose to elevated CO2 for four full years. The results indicated that elevated CO2 has stimulative e ects on soil C concentrations regardless of N fertilization. Following the elevated CO2, the concentrations of Corg and SBR were increased at wheat jointing stage, and those of DOC and Cmic were enhanced obviously across the wheat jointing stage and the fallow period after wheat harvest. On the other hand, N fertilization did not significantly a ect the content of soil C. Significant correlations were found among DOC, Cmic, and SBR in this study.     

长期施肥对五氯酚在红壤性水稻田中消解的影响研究

在种稻和未种稻2种条件下,研究了五氯酚（PCP,初始浓度85 mg/kg）在长期不同施肥处理红壤性水稻田中的消解特征.长期不同施肥方式为：不施肥（CK）、施无机肥尿素（N）、施有机肥（OM）和无机有机肥配施（N+OM）.结果表明,到收割水稻时,在未种稻情况下,CK、N、OM和N+OM处理表层土壤中可提取PCP残留分别为28.3、 34.2、 19.3、 18.7 mg/kg,在亚表层土壤中可提取PCP残留分别为6.3、 9.1、 5.1和4.1 mg/kg;在种稻情况下,表层土壤中可提取PCP残留分别为19.4、 30.9、 16.7和8.7 mg/kg,在亚表层土壤中可提取PCP残留分别为3.7、 6.1、 2.6和2.8 mg/kg.长期单施有机肥或无机有机肥配施显著加速表层土壤中PCP的消解,减缓表层土壤中PCP向下迁移;长期施尿素抑制表层土壤中PCP的消解,加速表层土壤中PCP向下迁移.与未种稻相比,种稻对表层土壤中PCP的消解呈现不同程度的促进作用,除N处理外,在其它3种长期施肥处理（CK、OM、N+OM）中均达到显著的水平.同时,种稻显著减少表层土壤中PCP向下迁移.无论种稻与否,PCP在稻田系统中均能发生还原脱氯降解生成2,3,4,5-四氯酚 （2,3,4,5-TeCP）和3, 4, 5-三氯酚（3,4,5-TCP）;在未种稻情况下, 2,3,4,5-TeCP是PCP脱氯降解的主要产物,而在种植水稻的情况下, 3,4 5-TCP是PCP脱氯降解的主要产物.     

增温施肥对稻麦农田土壤有机碳及其活性组分的影响

农田是重要的陆地生态系统土壤碳库和作物生长的有机养分库.为明确气候变暖对稻麦轮作农田土壤碳库的影响,利用田间开放式增温平台,分析了增温、施肥和其交互作用对土壤有机碳和其活性组分的影响,并评估了土壤碳库管理指数的变化.结果表明,增温、施肥对土壤有机碳含量和其活性有机碳组分的影响均无显著交互作用.增温增加了土壤有机碳含量,且总有机碳(TOC)和惰性有机碳(ROC)含量差异显著.与不增温对照相比,增温处理的TOC、 ROC和活性有机碳(LOC)含量分别增加了7.72%、7.42%和10.11%.土壤微生物量碳(MBC)含量的增加(20.4%)和颗粒有机碳(POC)含量的降低(36.51%)可能是增温下土壤有机碳含量变化的主要原因.增温对土壤可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量无显著影响,但显著降低了其可溶性微生物副产物组分含量(41.89%).结果同时表明,施肥对土壤有机碳含量均无显著影响,但显著降低了活性碳组分的DOC和POC含量,增加了MBC含量.与不施肥对照相比,施肥处理的土壤DOC和POC含量分别降低了35.44%和28.33%,MBC含量增加了33.38%.此外,施肥有增加可溶性有机物中人为...     

A Water Yield‐Oriented Practical Approach for Multifunctional Forest Management and its Application in Dryland Regions of China

Mountainous forest areas are vitally important for water supply in dryland regions which suffer from high erosion risk and severe water shortage. Massive afforestation, mainly for erosion control, may reduce the water yield and threaten local water supply security. Moreover, many over‐dense forests due to a strict logging ban policy have produced remarkably negative impacts for both forests (e.g., low timber quality, restricted natural regeneration, and high stand instability) and water yield. To satisfy the rapidly increasing demands on water supply and other services, a practical approach for managing forest stands in a multifunctional way, which particularly addresses water yielding, is urgently required. For this purpose, we integrated the existing knowledge and experience, designed an “ideal” stand structure to represent multifunctional forest (MFF) and determined its key parameters (a ground coverage of >0.7, a canopy density around 0.7, and an H/DBH ratio (tree height [m] to the diameter at breast height [cm]) of <0.7). Moreover, a decision process for MFF stand management was recommended as: (1) investigating the site quality; (2) identifying the site‐specific main forest functions; (3) quantifying the stand structure; (4) diagnosing the stand structure by comparing with the “ideal” one; and (5) arranging the functions/structure‐oriented management measures. In this way, the water‐yielding function can be improved and meanwhile other forest functions can be promoted.     

Spatial Optimization of Six Conservation Practices Using Swat in Tile‐Drained Agricultural Watersheds

Targeting of agricultural conservation practices to the most effective locations in a watershed can promote wise use of conservation funds to protect surface waters from agricultural nonpoint source pollution. A spatial optimization procedure using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool was used to target six widely used conservation practices, namely no‐tillage, cereal rye cover crops (CC), filter strips (FS), grassed waterways (GW), created wetlands, and restored prairie habitats, in two west‐central Indiana watersheds. These watersheds were small, fairly flat, extensively agricultural, and heavily subsurface tile‐drained. The targeting approach was also used to evaluate the model's representation of conservation practices in cost and water quality improvement, defined as export of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and sediment from cropped fields. FS, GW, and habitats were the most effective at improving water quality, while CC and wetlands made the greatest water quality improvement in lands with multiple existing conservation practices. Spatial optimization resulted in similar cost‐environmental benefit tradeoff curves for each watershed, with the greatest possible water quality improvement being a reduction in total pollutant loads by approximately 60%, with nitrogen reduced by 20‐30%, phosphorus by 70%, and sediment by 80‐90%.