Reporting Culture: We report our concerns. Identification of hazards or safety concerns is encouraged, including a system that’s easy to use. The reporting system maintains anonymity and is separate from the disciplinary processes. Useful feedback based on reporting is quick and insightful. An atmosphere of trust exists between managers and workers, with employees knowing important information will be voiced, heard, and acted on appropriately.
Just Culture: We have a sense of fairness. Balances the need for discipline when warranted, with rewards when earned. People are held accountable for deliberate violations of rules and recognized for outstanding performance. There’s a clear understanding of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. There’s a sense of fairness about how business is conducted, where people aren’t punished for reporting and aren’t afraid of reprisal if they do.
Flexible Culture: We change to meet new demands. The organization effectively balances and adapts to changing demands while managing complex technologies and maintaining productivity. A healthy flexible culture uses safety data to make meaningful changes when there’s a concerning trend or issue.
Learning Culture: We learn from our successes and mistakes. Collecting, assessing, and sharing from experience is a priority. Information is available to everyone from novice to expert. In a learning culture members value and commit to proactively “learning from our mistakes,” both formally and informally.
Engaged Culture: Everyone does their part. All members regardless of status or occupation are involved and actively participate in safely accomplishing the mission. The key is to have leaders and employees who demonstrate they value safety by “walking the talk.”