Industrial accidents remain a major concern for businesses as they pose significant risks to humans, the environment, and the economy. Industrial accidents span across various sectors, including chemical, construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, and mining, which have witnessed numerous catastrophic events. Thus, many organizations are prioritizing the inculcation of a safety culture to mitigate these risks. Research suggests that focusing on the causes of accidents rather than their symptoms leads to more effective prevention strategies.
The concept of safety culture has gained prominence with various models being proposed to enhance organizational safety practices. A key moment in the evolution of safety culture was the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, where the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Board introduced this concept in their report, emphasizing its crucial role in accident prevention. The growing importance of safety culture was highlighted as it was noted that it is more effective than relying solely on technical control or administrative processes. Safety culture focuses on intangible elements such as shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that collectively promote safe operations, helping organizations to reduce accidents.
To have a better view and understanding of this matter, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted based on the available published articles from 2017 to 2021 to explore the role of safety culture in managing industrial safety across six key sectors. The review analyzed 34 publications from 18 countries, revealing significant insights into the impact of safety culture on accident reduction.
The review identified two main themes: the significance of safety culture within management and the role of safety culture in employee performance. Most of the studies emphasized the importance of safety culture in improving safety training, leadership commitment, communication, and process safety management. A notable finding was that enhancing safety culture directly correlates with improved safety training and better process safety management.
In sectors like manufacturing and oil and gas, where accidents often result from poor communication, inadequate leadership, or a lack of proper safety systems, the establishment of a robust safety culture has proven to reduce accidents. Moreover, fostering a culture that prioritizes safety at all levels, from management to employees, helps create a safer working environment, thereby decreasing the likelihood of industrial accidents.
In conclusion, safety culture is a critical factor in managing industrial accidents, with its influence extending across various sectors. Organizations that invest in inculcating a strong safety culture are better equipped to prevent accidents, enhance employee performance, and ensure long-term operational safety.
Authors: AZIZAN RAMLI and TOFAN AGUNG EKA PRASETYA
Ismail, S. N., Ramli, A., & Prasetya, T. A. E. (2024). The Important Role of Safety Culture in the Management of Major Industrial Accidents. Indonesian Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 13(2), 252-260. https://doi.org/10.20473/ijosh.v13i2.2024.252-260
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