Thursday, July 19, 2018

Questions That Safety Culture Assessments Must Answer

By Daniel Hall


It is impossible to have an absolutely safe environment. The challenge for all entities is to conduct regular safety culture assessments with the aim of improving the current standards. This is because safe environments are always comfortable, more productive and healthier. They enable you to get value for money because there are fewer accidents, compensation claims and business disruptions. What is the focus of these assessments?

Management commitment is at the center of every assessment. The tests seek to establish where the safety of employees and the entire environment is placed. Is it at the senior level or at the lowest level? This determines the actions taken and how fast such actions are taken. A firm that is committed places it as a priority because everything else will be disrupted in its absence.

Is there free communication? The channels of communication must be open between senior managers and the intern hired yesterday. With no barriers, everyone feels part of the challenge of keeping the workplace safe. Employees can pass information to managers and vice versa without the feeling of authority. Everyone takes responsibility of keeping the place and people within it safe. All concerns are also addressed with the veracity they require.

Who is involved in keeping the environment safe? A safe environment is the responsibility of everyone in the organization. People should therefore feel free and open to report incidences and vulnerabilities. The firm must also show action and response whenever an issue is raised. This means continuous improvement in order to avert a crisis. Everyone must feel responsible of keeping the work environment safe.

Training and information focuses on whether employees feel confident about the training they have received on safety in their environment. Do they know the dangers they are exposed to and the actions they can take in case danger strikes? What is the perception of employees and management towards continued training and availability of this information? Have safety measures been put in place to give confidence to everyone that he or she will be safe in case of a mishap?

What is the motivation for people in the organization to maintain a safe environment? People must not take action because the information is coming from an authority. Everyone must take responsibility and own the urge to maintain a safe environment. People will enjoy reporting to work and making the organization more productive.

Is an organization showing the desire to remain compliant? This involves proper communication about the dangers and procedures that will keep people safe. The organization must also show discipline and commitment to protecting people, property and the entire environment. Standard procedures must be followed including knowledge of the risks you are exposed to. The information provided must be sufficient, appropriate and not too much to the point of being bothersome.

Does the organization display a learning culture from the disasters that have happened in the past? This comes with documentation. If an issue was identified as the cause of a fire or a disaster, are there any steps taken to eliminate the possibility of such an occurrence in future or reduce the damage. Assessment will be futile if the situation does not change for the better.




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