A model for evaluating the safety climate within a military aviation detachment during a long-term mission in hostile environments
Description
This data base it is about a model designed to evaluate the safety climate within a military aviation detachment during a long-term mission in hostile environments. This model was tested during Romania's peacekeeping mission in Mali, Africa, in 2019-2020, where over 120 soldiers, including pilots and technicians, participated under UN auspices. Objective The goal of this research was to identify the key factors contributing to a high safety climate and to ensure the detachment operated safely in a dangerous environment. The mission's success, with zero accidents, highlights the importance of understanding and improving the safety climate. Methodology To evaluate the safety climate, a survey was distributed to 120 detachment members. The survey measured both organizational factors—such as task clarity and performance evaluation—and individual factors—like team spirit, trust in leaders, and motivation. We used a 10-point Likert scale for responses, and the results were analyzed using correlation and network analysis. Key Findings The results showed strong positive relationships between the safety climate and factors like team spirit, task clarity, and motivation. For example, task clarity had a correlation of r = 0.71, and team spirit showed r = 0.78. Interestingly, the impact of working conditions on the safety climate was insignificant. Conclusion This study demonstrates that clear tasks, team spirit, and motivation are crucial for maintaining a safe operational environment, especially in hostile situations. Future research could explore how safety climate evolves over time during long-term missions, but this model provides a valuable tool for improving safety outcomes in military aviation detachments.