Safety and Operations: Implications within an Air Force Large Terminal Logistics Aerial Port during Manning and Throughput Reductions

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perceived safety culture within a United States Air Force (USAF) large terminal strategic Aerial Port Squadron (APS) during a time period of cargo and passenger movement throughput reductions to determine causal and correlational relationships with unit safety mishaps. The review of the literature found a lack of research focusing on safety mishaps and root causes for not-for-profit industrial occupational settings, particularly, air transportation. A quantitative survey instrument utilizing a Likert scale is used during a cross-sectional period in time that explores themes, including member involvement in safety, work pressures, safety behaviors, and satisfaction. Additionally, longitudinal cargo and passenger throughput data is used to draw inferences in support of the research questions. A correlational research design utilizes five research questions that were developed and tested in support of this study. The hypotheses sought to explore the relationship of safety climate and its correlation to safety mishap rates. Findings from the research suggest that a significant inverse correlation exists between aircraft handled and mishaps, implicating that as operation tempos decrease, mishaps increase. Based on responses from the survey instrument, inferences conclude that variables such as routinization and stability from the conclusion of overseas operations lead to complacency and a decrease in personal unit member sense of purpose. The results prepare for future research to be conducted to determine and extrapolate precise causal relationships that find precise root causes for large terminal USAF APS safety mishaps.