Ripples in a pond: An open system model of the evolution of safety culture

F. J Joel Morley, Don Harris

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    15 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The development of an effective safety culture is essential to promote safe operations. Previous studies haveeither identified the characteristics of effective safety culture analytically, inferring them from signs and symbolsderived from working practices, or have restricted the study of the development of safety culture to workerswithin an organisation. This paper describes a large-scale survey-based study in which the factors influencingthe evolution of safety culture are identified empirically and, drawing upon open systems theory, are alsoextended beyond the bounds of the organisation. Three major determinants of safety culture are identified:safety concerns, influences and actions. Sub-components within each of these categories are also identified andthe relationship between them is hypothesised.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)3-15
    Number of pages13
    JournalInternational Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics: JOSE
    Volume12
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2006

    Keywords

    • In-depth interviews
    • Open systems
    • Safety culture
    • Safety management
    • Workplace surveys

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Medicine(all)
    • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
    • Safety Research
    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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