Definition of a health and safety culture

The health and safety culture of an organization may be described as the development stage of the organization in health and safety management at a particular time. HSG65 gives the following definition of a health and safety culture  

The safety culture of an organization is the product of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies and patterns of behaviour that determine the commitment to, and the style and proficiency of, an organization s health and safety management. 

Organizations with a positive safety culture are characterized by communications founded on mutual trust, by shared perceptions of the importance of safety and by confidence in the efficacy of preventive measures. 

There is concern among some health and safety professionals that many health and safety cultures are developed and driven by senior managers with very little input from the workforce. Others argue that this arrangement is sensible because the legal duties are placed on 

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