Safety Culture

What is Safety Culture?

Safety culture is a people based safety process. The safety culture of an organization is the mix 

of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies and patterns of behavior that 

determine the commitment of a company’s health and safety program.

What does a safety culture need?

There are a few key ingredients to creating a successful safety culture within an organization. 

Commitments on a management level, employee level and personal level are all key elements of an 

effective safety culture.

Management Support

Managers need to be seen to demonstrate their commitment through their actions and lead by example 

and when it comes to health and safety. Without an active commitment from management to achieve a 

safety culture, there will usually be lower levels of motivation or concern for health and safety 

throughout the organization. Management commitment can be indicated by the resources (time, people, 

money) and support allocated to health and safety management. If management is not sincerely 

committed to safety, employees will generally assume they are expected to put business interests 

first, and safety programs will be undermined.

Employee Support

Active employee participation and good communication between employees at all levels is key to 

developing a safety culture. In a positive safety culture, questions about health and safety should 

be part of everyday work conversations. This can include observations, feedback, open communication 

and accountability. It is important to build ownership and use the expertise and unique knowledge 

each employee has. In companies with a strong safety culture, you will find that both management 

and employees feel that their safety program and achievements are the result of a joint

effort.

Employee Support

It is vital that every individual, regardless of their position or job, has a personal commitment 

and responsibility for the safety of themselves and others.

Safety is a value that needs to be held by everyone.

Ask yourself: What is my attitude towards safety? What is my company's safety culture? What 

prevents employees, supervisors, managers and company owners from achieving

total safety in the workplace? How can I improve our safety culture today?