Self-Help Tool Developed to Improve Safety Culture

A new tool to help businesses assess and improve their safety culture has been released by the Department of Labour.

Safety culture is about how everyone thinks and acts on safety in the workplace.

Research shows that a positive safety culture means fewer workplace injuries and reduced staff turnover. It can also enhance a firm’s reputation and lead to higher productivity. 

The new Safety Culture Snapshot tool aims to help businesses interested in creating a better safety culture.  It is practical self-help tool with a step by step process and supporting resources.

The tool was developed and tested directly with large and small workplaces and the help of safety culture expert Dr Hillary Bennett.

“One of the best ways to improve a safety culture is to start measuring it. This tool gives businesses the guidance they need to understand what’s working well and where there is room for improvement,” says the Department’s Workplace Services Group Manager Maarten Quivooy.

“It can be used by any industry or business that is motivated to improve its health and safety performance. Ultimately it will help a business make a start diagnosing its culture and, most importantly, planning for change.  Building a better safety culture builds a better business.”

The Safety Culture Snapshot contributes to the Workplace Health and Safety Strategy’s vision of healthy people in safe and productive workplaces.

For further information and to access the Safety Culture Snapshot visit our website at: www.dol.govt.nz/safetyculture