Recently, I attended the Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (BASE) in Las Vegas, an event teeming with 15,000 attendees. While it was energizing to see the industry come together, it was equally exhausting for an introvert like me. However, one conversation stood out.
An FAA representative approached me with an intriguing question: “Can safety culture be measured without a safety culture survey?” This query sparked my curiosity and inspired a deeper dive into the topic.
The Role of Safety Culture Surveys
Safety culture surveys are vital tools for assessing how individuals perceive safety values, practices, and leadership within an organization. These surveys provide a broad perspective by gathering feedback across the workforce. A well-designed survey, particularly one that includes qualitative feedback, can offer powerful insights into the shared perceptions and rituals that form the backbone of safety culture.
However, surveys aren’t without limitations. They rely heavily on individual perceptions, which can vary widely, making it crucial to gather responses from across the organization for a balanced view. But what if surveys aren't available? Are there alternative ways to assess safety culture?
Observing Safety Culture: Beyond Surveys
After reflecting on this question, I believe it is possible to gauge safety culture without a survey by observing certain markers within an organization. These markers, while not definitive, can provide valuable insights when viewed collectively.
1. Leadership Engagement
Leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping and sustaining a positive safety culture. As an observer, here’s what to look for:
Active Participation: Are leaders involved in safety committees? Best practices suggest they should chair these committees, not safety managers.
Visibility: Do leaders interact with employees regularly? Are they familiar with the organization’s highest risks and its non-punitive policies?
Support for Safety Initiatives: Do leaders enforce safety policies and allocate necessary resources?
Engaged leadership demonstrates a commitment to safety and sets the tone for shared organizational values.
2. Physical Environment
The workplace itself can reflect the organization’s attention to safety and detail:
Cleanliness and Organization: Are workspaces neat, with proper tool control systems like shadow boards or RFID tracking?
Professional Appearance: Do employees present themselves in clean, appropriate attire? Uniformity and pride in appearance often signal broader cultural values.
A well-maintained environment indicates pride and a focus on excellence—both of which are integral to a strong safety culture.
3. Workplace Communication and Behavior
The language and behavior within an organization reveal much about its professional standards and mutual respect. Key observations include:
Professional Speech: Is workplace communication respectful and appropriate? Offensive or disrespectful language can indicate a lack of professionalism and shared values.
Collaborative Behavior: How do employees interact? Are they supportive and aligned with safety goals?
Respectful and professional communication fosters an environment where safety can thrive.
Challenges and Caveats
While observing these markers provides valuable insights, it’s important to acknowledge potential biases. Each observer brings their own experiences and expectations, which can skew interpretations. For instance, someone accustomed to military standards might misjudge a casual but functional environment.
Additionally, no single marker can definitively indicate a positive safety culture. Instead, these observations should be considered collectively, alongside structured feedback, for a more balanced assessment.
The Bottom Line
While safety culture surveys remain the gold standard for assessing perceptions across an organization, alternative indicators can provide meaningful insights. Leadership engagement, the physical environment, and workplace communication are just a few observable markers that can help gauge safety culture in the absence of a survey.
The ultimate goal is to identify tools and methods that support safety management systems and drive safety performance. By combining objective observations with structured feedback, organizations can build a robust understanding of their safety culture—ensuring it’s not only measured but continuously strengthened.
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