Safety culture can be difficult to define and measure and there are many definitions of safety culture:
The safety culture of an organization is the product of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies, and patterns of behavior that determine the commitment to, and the style and proficiency of, an organization’s health and safety management. Organizations with a positive safety culture are characterized by communications founded on mutual trust, by shared perceptions of the importance of safety and by confidence in the efficacy of preventive measures.” ACSNI Human Factors Study Group: Third report – Organizing for safety HSE Books 1993
Safety cultures consist of shared beliefs, practices, and attitudes that exist at an establishment. Culture is the atmosphere created by those beliefs, attitudes, etc., which shape our behavior (OHSA)
Safety culture is a set of ways of doing and thinking that is widely shared by the employees of an organization in the context of managing the most significant risks associated with its activities. (ICSI)
If we consider that safety culture refers to the attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors, it is difficult to assess and to measure with the famous KPI.
However, safety culture depends on the real and visible commitment and involvement of managers and especially executive managers with the key motto “walk the talk” .
As well, the engagement of all employees is essential to succeed
In addition, it must be supported by a rigorous management system and programs with many fundamental activities such as:
· Risk assessment with proactively identification and assessing potential hazards and risks, implement controls to mitigate those risk,
· Safety policies, procedures, guideline, golden rules,
· Safety training on safety procedures and practices, explain, repeat and repeat again to the people the importance of safety and how to work safely,
· Safety inspections and audits to evaluate working environment, to prevent potential hazards and to address specific issues,
· Continuous improvement with active group to constantly improve safety performance
· Open communication by encouraging employees to speak up about safety concerns,
· Just and fair approach with transparency, more recognition than discipline
