Why self-control fails: the effects of self-control depletion on team safety performance in nuclear power plants

This study highlights the important role of self-control in improving safety performance in nuclear power plants. Drawing on the self-control depletion framework, the study investigates the antecedents and consequences of self-control failure in the context of occupational safety at the team level and examines the moderating effect of team descriptive safety norms. Data were collected from 346 operators across 81 teams. Results showed that team-level self-control demands reduced team safety compliance and participation through team-level self-control depletion, consequently increasing safety incidents. The impact of self-control depletion on team safety compliance and participation was moderated by the interaction of team safety descriptive norm levels and strength. The weakest negative effect occurred when both norm strength and norm levels were high, while the strongest negative effect occurred with high norm strength and low norm levels. To ensure workplace safety, self-management training should be implemented and social norms intervention programs developed.