QEHSOperations
Safety Culture
The shared values, beliefs, and behaviours that determine how safety is prioritised in an organisation.
Safety culture is often assessed using maturity models (Bradley Curve: reactive → dependent → independent → interdependent). Key dimensions: leadership commitment, worker involvement, just culture (reporting vs. blame), hazard reporting rates, and safety communication. A weak safety culture is the root cause behind most major disasters (Chernobyl, Challenger, Deepwater Horizon). Culture change requires sustained leadership behaviour, not slogans.