Human Resource Module: creating a safety culture
Developing a safety culture involves integrating a set of beliefs into the day-to-day activities of every staff members. When safe work habits are part of the unconscious behaviour of all employees, a safety culture has been created.
Defining company culture
Five basic elements define culture within a corporation:
1. Business environment: the environment in which a company exists — its competitors, regulations and technology.
2. Values: corporate beliefs
3. Leadership: role models within the company
4. Rites and rituals: programmed routines within the company. Systems that demonstrate to employees the kind of behaviour expected of them.
5. Cultural network: the primary means of communication within a company — where 90 per cent of the real business goes on.
Companies who have a good safety culture practice the following:
• Management demonstrates strong commitment to safety through visible personal involvement.
• Safety is given a high priority in company meetings. Accidents are treated as a failure within the system.
• Safety training is part of all new workers’ training.
• Safety personnel have a high status within the company.
• Good housekeeping practices are demonstrated throughout the company.
• Good level of communication between management and employees.
• Company has a stable workforce with little staff turnover.
• Company has distinct ways of promoting safety — including counseling and guidanceinstead of enforcement and warnings.
Safety culture is actively created through positive, consistent actions, emphasis and rewards. While management must set the tone of safety culture within a company, it is up to all employees to demonstrate a commitment to safety.
Profit versus safety culture
Most landscape companies exist within a profit culture. Everything is done with profit in mind. What needs to happen is the development of a safety culture within a company where every employee thinks safety in his job all day. Just as everyone is committed to enhancing the profitability of the company, employees need to approach safety in the same way.
