Practical Aspects of Understanding & Implementing an Effective Safety Culture

1. Practical Aspects of Understanding & Implementing an Effective Safety Culture Reminder overview

2. Aspects for consideration: Session structure • What is an effective safety culture? • How do we know what we’ve got? • How do we know what to change? • How do we introduce & consolidate change?

3. What is an effective safety culture? • Multiple definitions - expectation & support of safety behaviours • Accident & incident rates relatively  • Good safety climate survey scores • Adult environment, with safe option the automatic response

4. How do we know what we’ve got? • Corporate culture is the parent • Espoused values • In-practice values • Identify norm practices & supports • Consider multi-method approaches

5. How do we know what to change? • Problem behaviours & safety obstacles • But safety issues are not simple and simple answers rarely apply • Identification of an obstacle doesn’t necessarily identify appropriate remedial action • Effectiveness, acceptance, & realism all need consideration

6. How can we optimise change acceptance • Maximise participation • Make immediate and longer term strategies • Establish monitored pilot period & support mechanisms • Analyse monitoring data & feedback • Begin flexibly & in culture congruent ways

7. How can we consolidate change? • Essentially, conditioning • Backs are for patting as well as stabbing • Increase perceptions of detection • Be consistent in the application of disciplinary sanctions • Practice what is preached • Monitor, evaluate & feedback

8. So • To understand culture we need as much data as possible • To evaluate effectiveness we need appropriate criterion measures • Effective interventions are realistic • Participation increases ownership • Reward as well as condemn • Walk the walk