Creating Safety Management Systems

Culture

Definition 

Culture is hard to define, difficult to get right but you will know it when you see it. Culture can emphasise the importance of safety to your organisation, foster attitudes where everyone follows agreed ways of working, and see resources committed to safety issues.

Guidance

Some indications of a strong safety culture may include:

• Shared perceptions about the importance of safety and it is seen as a joint exercise
• Communication about safety issues founded on mutual trust
• Confidence in the measures in place
• Attitudes and behaviours where everyone involved follows procedures, highlights incidents, share concerns, and learns lessons
• People with proven skills, ability and knowledge delivering activity
• Commitment and visibility – the time, budget and people committed to managing safety on the water
• The active involvement of governance and leadership in safety matters