It Takes a Team: Supportive Team Climate as a Catalyst of Safety Behavior in the Railway Sector

Railway incidents are frequently attributed to human error, yet the social environment shaping individual behavior is often overlooked. Building on a safety culture framework, this study investigates how psychological safety and cohesion influence safety behavior among train drivers. Train driving represents a distinct work context within the railway sector, characterized by highly autonomous work, as train drivers operate for extended periods without direct interaction with coworkers or supervisors. Focusing on psychological safety and team cohesion as key social mechanisms of safety culture, the study examines how these factors enable or constrain safe behavior despite physical separation within teams. Empirical research on social influencing mechanisms in this distinct work environment is scarce. To address this gap, a cross-sectional online study was conducted among German train drivers. Vignettes describing safety-relevant situations from train drivers' day-to-day work were developed to assess safety behavior. Due to significant empirical overlap, psychological safety and cohesion were integrated into the single latent factor supportive team climate. Structural equation modeling revealed that supportive team climate is positively associated with train drivers' safety behavior and their perception of supervisors' safety behavior. These findings highlight that safety culture in railway operations is socially constructed. The study concludes that fostering cohesion and psychological safety within teams can enhance safety culture and behavior even in solitary work environments.

Keywords: Safety culture, rail transport, safety behavior, train driver, cohesion, psychological safety, supportive team climate, survey, vignettes