Promoting a Positive Health & Safety Culture

Definition

• Culture of an organisation
• Concept of a health and safety culture

Correlation between culture and performance in health and safety

• First impressions
• Recognising an organisations approach

Indicators of a health and safety culture

• Accidents
• Absenteeism
• Sickness rates
• Staff turnover
• Compliance with rules and procedures
• Complaints about working conditions

Factors promoting a negative health and safety culture

• Periods of change
• Uncertainty (Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs)
• Management decisions

Internal and external influences

• Management commitment
• Timescale pressure
• Communication
• Competence
• Employee representation
• Social expectations
• Legislation and enforcement
• Insurance companies
• Trade unions
• The economy

Human behaviour

• The individual and their role
• Attitude, ability and motivation
• Perception of risk
• Errors
• Violations
• Age and experience
• Peers

Implementing cultural change

• Management commitment
• Personnel competence
• Effective communication
• Training
• Penalties and discipline