The perspective of leadership and management commitment in process safety management

Abstract

ABSTRACT An effective safety leader is more than a job or position in an organisation. Safety leaders must understand and mitigate workplace risks and difficulties for themselves, their team and their organisation. One of the essential aspects of Process Safety Management (PSM) is that leaders and managers understand the qualities and safety behaviour of all chemicals utilised in the process. This paper emphasises that leaders and managers promote a positive safety culture by showing safety commitment; they have more influence to pave all activities while ensuring it is conducted safely within the organisation. Due to human characteristics, it may be challenging to obtain all ‘perfect’ leadership and management traits. But leadership is a skill that anyone can develop. Competency, empowerment, compliance, governance and dedication to safety are more important than leadership styles in a small organisation. The most exemplary leaders are articulate and can adapt their style to the situation.