Culture of Prevention

All workplaces have a safety culture and some are stronger than others, often described as “the way things are done around here,” or “what employees do when no one is watching.” The safety culture of an organization is the product of Individual and group beliefs, values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies, and the default “patterns of behaviors and habits” with respect to safety. It is also a larger part of the organizational culture profile and is driven, in large part by management.

Rigorous scientific studies have proven that safety cultures are an accurate predictor of injury frequency and severity performance. Years of research also confirm that the development of a strong safety culture has a tremendous impact on safety in general and incident reduction. Accurate Ergonomics adds another critical dimension to the safety culture of any organization, with the desire to develop (or improve) a true culture of prevention.

While many of the elements of a strong safety culture mirror elements of a culture of prevention, there are unique differences. For years the focus on safety has been in large part an external process, something you can see: Bright colors; safety banners; day-glow vests; orderly work areas; and more, a plethora of safety. Behavior-based safety programs also focus on safe-behaviors, such as hardhats and gloves, all visible elements of a safe worker, and a safe workplace.

Most organizations focus on treatment and have created cultures based on what to do with an injured worker “after” they are hurt. This is an example of a default behavior. However, treatment does not lead to prevention. At Accurate Ergonomics we are “laser” focused on prevention.

When a culture of prevention is developed, future positive outcomes and sustainable performance are aligned and achieved. A culture of prevention is a combination of many elements including: knowledge, skills, behaviors, values, beliefs, trust, perceptions, habits, commitments, actions, engagement, communications, customs, traditions, equitable treatment, and active caring.

The Accurate Ergonomics system, when applied as prescribed, allows for a systematic, multi-faceted approach for enhancing cultural development. The most successful company cultures have engaged employees, who enjoy their co-workers and their time on the job, and who learn to become highly efficient at their job tasks.