The influence of health and safety (H&S) culture on H&S performance

The upstream / downstream H&S sequence: culture, management system, exposure, incidents - indicates the influence of H&S culture on H&S performance. Values, vision, goals, mission, purpose, and assumptions, which collectively constitute H&S culture, occur upstream of and sequentially influence management system, exposure and ultimately, incidents. The second phase of the study reported on in the paper investigated the extent to which beliefs / perspectives / practices positively or negatively impacted on H&S performance, the reasons for the perceived impact, and how the impact manifested itself. The sample frame consisted of 26 'H&S best practice' GCs. Salient findings include: 'positive' components of an H&S culture impact positively, while 'negative' components impact negatively on H&S performance; comments from management, measurement and personal observations, constitute the predominating reasons for the perceived impact, and the positive impact manifested itself in reduced accidents and compensation insurance claims, compensation insurance rebates, enhanced housekeeping, environment and productivity, and improved programme performance. The findings amplify the role of H&S culture in H&S performance and reinforce the postulated upstream / downstream H&S sequence.