Description

Safety culture, despite its importance in Safety Management Systems (SMS), has often been treated as an abstract concept due to the difficulty in measuring and evaluating it objectively. Measuring safety culture presents unique challenges due to its subjective nature and variability across different contexts. To address this, the SM ICG developed this guidance document, with the aim to clarify the connections between SMS components and desired safety behaviours, through linking SMS evaluation tools with safety culture assessment tools. 

The document emphasizes the close relationship between SMS maturity and safety culture maturity. While SMS maturity refers to the effectiveness of safety management processes, safety culture maturity encompasses shared values and attitudes regarding safety within an organisation. A mature safety culture is crucial for driving excellence in the safety management system.