PROMOTING A POSITIVE HEALTH AND SAFETY CULTURE

In 1972, the Robens report recognized that the introduction of heaith and safety management systems was essentiai if the ideai of seif-reguiation of heaith and safety by industry was to be reaiized. It further recognized that a more active invoivement of the workforce in such systems was essentiai if seif-reguiation was to work. Seif-reguiation and the impiicit need for health and safety management systems and employee involvement was incorporated into the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. 

Since the introduction of the Act, health and safety standards have improved considerably but there have been some catastrophic failures. One of the worst was the fire on the off-shore oil platform. Piper Alpha, in 1988 when 167 people died. At the subsequent inquiry, the 

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A well-defined health and safety organization - The shared understanding of the organization s values and beliefs, at all levels of the company or concern is an essential component of a positive health and safety culture. An effective organization will be noted for good staff involvement and participation high quality communications the promotion of competency and the empowerment of all employees to make informed contributions. 

According to the ACSNl Study Group on Human Factors (HSC, 1993), a written corporate statement on the safety policy and organization should be a crucial element in the promotion and maintenance of a positive safety culture within the organization. Its objective should be to establish the corporate attitude to safety and the organizational framework through which the safety objectives can be assured. (Health and Safety Executive, 2001, p. 8)... 

Recommendation 2. BOEM s enhanced SMS rule should be contained in a single document should encompass all activities including construction, operation and maintenance, and a framework for decommissioning and should promote a positive safety culture within an organization. The SMS rule should be supplemented by specific requirements sufficient to ensure consistent health and safety performance across the population of operators and contractors and to provide equal protection for employees at all locations, regardless of jm-isdiction. 

Promote a positive organizational culture that is conscious of its safety, health, environmental, and security responsibilities by communicating these responsibilities to all stakeholders and by training all stakeholders as part of the organization s overall risk management program. 

The development of work organizations and work cultures in a direction that supports health and safety at work, and in doing so also promotes a positive social climate and smooth organizational operation... 

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