OBJECTIVES The primary purpose of this study was to determine the association between organizational factors and accidents among employees on the Norwegian continental shelf.

METHODS A self-administered survey among offshore petroleum personnel was conducted in the spring of 1990. The survey drew respondents from five companies and eight platforms. The response rate was 92% (N = 915).

RESULTS Substantial correlations were found between management and employee commitment and involvement in safety work, social support, attitudes towards safety measures, the personnel's satisfaction-dissatisfaction with the safety and contingency measures and accident frequency.

CONCLUSIONS Employee satisfaction-dissatisfaction was associated with injury rates, and also with other organizational factors. The credibility of the theory that employee perception of safety and contingency measures mirrors the status of accident prevention work was enhanced.