Setting The Foundation
In this course we will first discuss the necessity of building a firm foundation for a world-class CSMS.
No matter how well you may have developed and deployed the CSMS; it is destined to fail unless the underlying foundation is an effective safety culture that expresses real management commitment, tough-caring leadership, and genuine employee involvement. This module will explore some of the important considerations to do that.
Culture
The traditional definition of "safety culture" in an organization is, "an organizational atmosphere where safety and health is understood to be, and is accepted as, the number one priority." However, as we'll learn, to be most effective, safety should not be considered a "priority," but rather a "core value." So we still need to ask: "What is a safety culture?"
Culture may be defined as the product of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies, and patterns of behavior that determine the commitment to, and proficiency of, an organization's health and safety management.
A strong safety culture is the result of:
- Positive workplace attitudes - from the president to the newest hire.
- Involvement and buy-in of all members of the workforce.
- Mutual, meaningful, and measurable safety and health improvement goals.
- Policies and procedures that serve as reference tools, rather than obscure rules.
- Personnel training at all levels within the organization.
- Responsibility and accountability throughout the organization.
From the employer's point of view, it's something to be managed, but if you ask an employee to define culture, they will likely tell you it's just "the way we do things are around here."
You will know when your company has designed the elements of a world-class safety culture when:
- All individuals within the organization believe they have a right to a safe and healthful workplace.
- Each person accepts personal responsibility for ensuring his or her own safety and health.
- Everyone believes he or she has a duty to protect the safety and health of others.
- A high level of trust exists between management and labor in general.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-1. From the employer's point of view, culture is _____.
You forgot to answer the question!