Safety Climate and Safety Culture

Abstract

This chapter discusses the concept of safety culture in air medical transport operations and introduced a method of assessment. It presents aggregate data results obtained from measuring the safety culture of multiple emergency medical transport organizations. Numerous organizations have identified areas in which certain elements of safety programs may be further supported, integrated, and enhanced, through Safety Management Systems (SMS). An important tenet of SMS is the attention to organizational safety culture. Safety culture influences behavior across levels within an organization. The overall safety culture of an organization may drive resource management decisions, shape organizational climate, and influence the development of organizational processes. Organizational change and safety culture must buy in from leadership as well as employees in order to accomplish beneficial safety attitudes reflected in everyday work practices. This includes the evaluation of the work environment, proper scheduling, the establishment of safety committees that reflect the interests of employer and employee in a non-punitive manner and transparent safety policy.