Behavioural Safety Culture

Behavioural safety culture is the collective attitudes, values, and behaviours within an organisation that prioritise safety and well-being. It involves creating an environment where safety is integrated into everyday activities and decision-making processes and not treated like a bolt on. Whatever you call it, Behavioral Based Safety, Human and Organisational Performance, Behavioural Safety Culture or what, developing a culture that puts people’s safety as a core part of daily success is essential for preventing accidents, enhancing employee well-being, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. 

At Risk Fluent, we specialise in helping businesses and organisations develop and sustain a robust culture of behavioural safety. Our comprehensive approach includes tailored strategies and expert guidance to foster a safe and productive workplace.

Importance of Behaviour-Based Safety

A strong behavioural and company safety culture is critical for business success. It provides numerous benefits, including:

Reduced workplace incidents

By promoting safe behaviours and practices, organisations can significantly decrease the number of workplace accidents and injuries.

Improved employee morale

Employees feel valued and secure in an environment that prioritises their safety, leading to increased job satisfaction and engagement.

Better regulatory compliance

A proactive safety culture ensures adherence to health and safety regulations, helping reduce the risk of legal issues and fines.

Resilient organisation

A positive behavioural safety culture fosters a resilient organisation capable of adapting to changes and overcoming challenges effectively.

Building and Sustaining a Positive Safety Culture in the Workplace

Creating and maintaining a strong culture of workplace safety involves several key elements. Risk Fluent Developed a framework for our approach which we call our Operational Success Framework which is pictured below

Risk Fluent Framework for Operational Success

You can get a free PDF copy of our guide book on the above framework by completing our scorecard.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR COMPLETE SCORECARD

Some things to think about are:

1. Leadership commitment

Management must lead by example, prioritising safety in all business operations. Leaders who demonstrate a genuine and steadfast commitment to safety help set the tone for the entire organisation, encouraging employees to follow suit.

2. Employee engagement

Involving employees in safety initiatives and encouraging open communication are crucial for behavioural-based safety. Engaged employees are more likely to adopt best practices, cooperate with management, and contribute to a culture of safety.

3. Behavioural observations and feedback

Behaviour is often a symptom of deeper issues within business systems. By observing behaviour, organisations can identify underlying problems and make necessary improvements. Regular feedback helps reinforce positive behaviours and address any safety concerns promptly.

4. Competence

Often focusing solely on task competency, most businesses neglect social competency and the importance of understanding and navigating risk. Building high-performing teams requires effective communication and collaboration, ensuring everyone can identify and manage risks effectively.

5. Motivation

While most businesses employ traditional stick-and-carrot approaches to motivation, it’s essential to understand how people find a sense of purpose and belonging. Employees can be motivated by attaining mastery of their tasks, which allows them to contribute to a safer and more committed workforce.

6. Continuous improvement

Regular reviews, feedback, and updates to safety practices are necessary to ensure ongoing improvement and adaptation. This continuous process can help you stay ahead of potential risks and foster a strong safety culture in the company over time.

Why Choose Risk Fluent

Choosing the right partner to develop and sustain your behavioural safety culture is crucial for achieving long-term success. At Risk Fluent, we offer a unique combination of expertise, custom solutions, and a proven track record that makes us a practical choice for businesses looking to enhance their safety culture.

Expertise

Risk Fluent is led by our founder, James MacPherson, a renowned thought leader in the field of safety. James is widely recognised for his practical implementation of cutting-edge safety concepts such as Safety Differently, Human Performance (HOP), and High-Reliability Organisations (HRO). His deep knowledge and innovative approaches provide our clients with unparalleled insights and strategies to transform their safety culture effectively.

Custom Solutions

We understand that every workplace has unique needs and challenges when it comes to safety. That’s why we offer bespoke solutions tailored to address the specific requirements of your organisation. Our customised approach ensures that our safety programmes, training, and strategies are directly relevant and highly effective, leading to better outcomes and a stronger company safety culture.

Proven track record

At Risk Fluent, we have a proven track record of helping businesses of all sizes understand their current safety position and implement strategies to move forward. Our success stories span various industries, demonstrating our ability to adapt and deliver results in diverse environments.

Here’s what some of our clients say about our services

“No matter where your company is on your journey to an embedded safety culture, I would recommend talking to Risk Fluent to see what they can do with you.” – Head of Safety for an international food manufacturing organisation.

“My overwhelmingly positive experience of working with Risk Fluent has been reinforced by not only the improvements I have seen in my own personal development but the change in attitudes across the company at all levels. The Safety and Facilities team have felt supported and been given huge amounts of praise and, where needed, a firm guidance. The progress that has been made in a year has been remarkable and is credited to the Risk Fluent team.” – Health and Safety Management of a large UK clothing distributor.

Benefits of a Strong Behavioural Safety Culture

With professional guidance from Risk Fluent, cultivating a strong safety culture in the workplace offers numerous advantages that can transform your organisation. Here’s how it can help your business:

Improved tangible confidence in your operational risk management

With a strong safety culture, your company will have a heightened awareness and confidence in managing operational risks. This leads to better decision-making and a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating potential hazards.

Enhanced team performance and motivation

A positive safety culture promotes a collaborative environment where employees feel valued and supported. This leads to enhanced team performance and motivation as employees are more engaged, confident, and committed to working together towards common safety goals.

Optimised workplace safety and a significant reduction in accidents and incidents

By prioritising safety behaviours and practices, you can significantly reduce workplace accidents and incidents. Not only does this protect employees from harm, but it also helps minimise disruptions to operations.

Enhanced compliance with health and safety regulations

Fostering a strong safety culture ensures that your business consistently meets or exceeds health and safety regulations. This minimises the likelihood of legal issues and fines, demonstrating your commitment to regulatory compliance and the well-being of your workforce.

Increased employee satisfaction, morale, and productivity

Employees are more satisfied and motivated when they feel safe and valued at work. A robust safety culture in a company enhances morale, resulting in increased productivity and a more positive work environment. Furthermore, satisfied employees are more likely to stay with your organisation, reducing turnover and recruitment costs.

Lowered costs associated with workplace injuries and illnesses

Reducing workplace accidents and injuries leads to lower costs associated with lost productivity, as well as workers’ compensation and medical expenses. Investing in a strong safety culture is a cost-effective strategy that benefits both your organisation and employees.

Strengthened organisational reputation and resilience

Organisations with a strong safety culture are perceived as responsible and caring employers, strengthening their reputation amongst clients, partners, and potential employees. Furthermore, a resilient safety culture enables your business to adapt and thrive amidst challenges and changes.

Promotion of a proactive and positive safety mindset amongst employees

Behavioural-based safety encourages employees to take ownership of their well-being and that of their colleagues. This proactive mindset leads to continuous improvement in safety practices and a collective commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.

FAQs

What is behavioural safety culture?

Whether you call it Safety Differently, Human and Organisational Performance (HOP), Behavioural-Based Safety, or the New View, the label doesn’t matter. Culture is the result of interactions within your business over time. It’s how people feel, the stories they share, and your internal brand. A safety culture is the brand of safety within your organisation, shaped by the positive or negative interactions employees have had with safety initiatives.

How can we assess our current company safety culture?
We will start by understanding your current position using a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) Analysis against our framework. From there, we will guide and support you in developing a strategy to move forward.
What are the first steps to improving our culture of behavioural safety?
The first step is simple but challenging. Many jump straight into implementing new and shiny safety initiatives. However, the key is to thoroughly understand the problem before devising solutions. Taking the time to grasp the underlying issues will lead to more effective improvements.
How does management influence safety culture?
Management plays a vital role in defining the workplace environment, resources, values, and overall purpose. They shape employee interactions and, therefore, have a significant impact on the organisation’s culture.
How can behavioural observations and feedback improve safety?
Observing work as it is done is vital. When we observe behaviour and explore the reasons behind it with curiosity, we uncover opportunities for improvement. This process helps identify and address deeper issues within the business systems.
Can a strong culture of behaviour-based safety reduce operational costs?
Quantifying the impact of behaviour and culture on operational costs can be challenging because they are qualitative factors. However, evidence from HSE resources on stress indicates that teams working in environments aligned with New View and HOP principles tend to be more productive. While direct cost comparisons are difficult, a strong safety culture generally leads to improved efficiency and reduced incidents.