Ripples in a Pond: An Open System Model of the Evolution of Safety Culture

Abstract

The development of an effective safety culture is essential to promote safe operations. Previous studies haveeither identified the characteristics of effective safety culture analytically, inferring them from signs and symbolsderived from working practices, or have restricted the study of the development of safety culture to workerswithin an organisation. This paper describes a large-scale survey-based study in which the factors influencingthe evolution of safety culture are identified empirically and, drawing upon open systems theory, are alsoextended beyond the bounds of the organisation. Three major determinants of safety culture are identified:safety concerns, influences and actions. Sub-components within each of these categories are also identified andthe relationship between them is hypothesised.

• safety culture
• open systems
• safety management
• in-depth interviews
• workplace surveys