Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

4
Promoting a positive health 
and safety culture
Figure 4.1
Safety 
investment.

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Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
50
be effective and followed even when fi nancial and per-
formance targets may be affected.
4.3 
Safety culture and safety 
performance
4.3.1
The relationship between health and 
safety culture and health and safety 
performance
The following elements are the important components of 
a positive health and safety culture:
➤
leadership and commitment to health and safety 
throughout and at all levels of the organization
➤
acceptance that high standards of health and safety 
are achievable as part of a long-term strategy for-
mulated by the organization
➤
a detailed assessment of health and safety risks in 
the organization and the development of appropri-
ate control and monitoring systems
➤
a health and safety policy statement outlining short- 
and long-term health and safety objectives. Such 
a policy should also include codes of practice and 
required health and safety standards
➤
relevant employee training programmes and com-
munication and consultation procedures
➤
systems for monitoring equipment, processes and 
procedures and the prompt rectifi 
cation of any 
defects
➤
the prompt investigation of all incidents and acci-
dents and reports made detailing any necessary 
remedial actions.
If the organization adheres to these elements, then 
a basis for a good performance in health and safety will 
have been established. However, to achieve this level of 
performance, suffi cient fi nancial and human resources 
must be made available for the health and safety func-
tion at all levels of the organization.
All managers, supervisors and members of the 
governing body (e.g. directors) should receive training in 
health and safety and be made familiar during training 
sessions with the health and safety targets of the organiza-
tion. The depth of training undertaken will depend on the 
level of competence required of the particular manager. 
Managers should be accountable for health and safety 
within their departments and be rewarded for signifi cant 
improvements in health and safety performance. They 
should also be expected to discipline employees within 
their departments who infringe health and safety policies 
or procedures.