Personality and Accidents: An Examination of the Role of Personality in Work Accidents Using Meta-Analysis

Sharon Clarke

Ivan Robertson

Workplace accidents have been widely studied, but the role of personality traits in predicting these events remains a subject of debate. A meta-analytic study by Clarke and Robertson (2008) investigated the relationship between personality and involvement in work accidents, using the “Big Five” personality framework.

Keywords: Personality, Work Accidents, Big Five, Psychosocial Risks

The Study: The study conducted a systematic literature review and included 24 studies analyzing the association between the Big Five personality traits and work accidents. The traits studied were extraversion, neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness.

Main Findings: The results revealed significant variability in how personality traits impact workplace accidents. Among the Big Five, low agreeableness emerged as a valid and generalizable predictor of involvement in work accidents. Other traits showed inconsistent associations, suggesting the presence of situational moderators.

Practical Implications: The findings emphasize the importance of considering personality in safety management practices. Screening for personality traits like agreeableness could help identify employees at higher risk of accidents, supporting the development of more targeted safety interventions.

Reference: Clarke, S., & Robertson, I. (2008). An examination of the role of personality in work accidents using meta-analysis. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 57(1), 94–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2007.00267.x

Clarke & Robertson, 2008.pdf

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