ntroduction: This study tests a conceptual model that focuses on social exchange in the context of safety
management. The model hypothesizes that supportive safety policies and programs should impact both
safety climate and organizational commitment. Further, perceived organizational support is predicted to
partially mediate both of these relationships. Methods: Study outcomes included traditional outcomes for
both organizational commitment (e.g., withdrawal behaviors) as well as safety climate (e.g., self-reported
work accidents). Questionnaire responses were obtained from 1,723 employees of a large national retailer.
Results: Using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques, all of the model's hypothesized relationships
were statistically significant and in the expected directions. The results are discussed in terms of social
exchange in organizations and research on safety climate. Impact on Industry: Maximizing safety is a socialtechnical
enterprise. Expectations related to social exchange and reciprocity figure prominently in creating a
positive climate for safety within the organization.