Achieving and maintaining an improved safety performance in a petrochemical laboratory

Abstract

The question of how an improved safety performance was achieved and what needs to be done to maintain such a performance is investigated. The is done using the example of a laboratory that turned from a bad and worsening safety performance to the best in the organisation. Aspects of transformational leadership, employee empowerment and incident reporting and investigation were examined as contributing factors. In a survey of the laboratory employees, an independent level of safety culture maturity was found, indicating a successful and complete cultural transformation. High levels of employee empowerment were found. Barriers to incident reporting are suggested. In order to maintain a high level of safety performance, the next higher level of safety culture maturity is suggested, together with other recommendations. Further research is suggested from having identified some key factors describing a group having achieved and seeking to maintain an exemplary safety performance.