04.02.2013 Views

Regional Basic Professional Training Course in Korea

Regional Basic Professional Training Course in Korea

Regional Basic Professional Training Course in Korea

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

21.4.4. Specific safety management issues<br />

21.4.4.1. Flexibility<br />

❙ 1087 ❙<br />

21. Safety Culture<br />

The description of the “management of safety” given above is neither complete nor<br />

generally applicable. In any case, due allowance should be given for adjustments to<br />

different cultures <strong>in</strong> different countries, and <strong>in</strong> different companies. It is the overall<br />

effectiveness that counts, not the specific composition.<br />

21.4.4.2. Effectiveness<br />

The “management of safety” sets the framework for all endeavours to enhance safety<br />

culture. But it should be clearly po<strong>in</strong>ted out that even the most perfect framework can<br />

never be a substitute for the commitment of the <strong>in</strong>dividuals concerned. A more perfect<br />

framework is a help to reach the goal with a higher degree of probability, but it can never<br />

be a warranty. To enhance safety culture, the “right” <strong>in</strong>dividual attitude of the senior<br />

managers is <strong>in</strong>dispensable. If the senior managers do not feel it necessary to improve the<br />

safety culture, no framework and no system, however perfect, can be successful.<br />

Another problem with perfect systems holds even for “will<strong>in</strong>g” people: Whenever a<br />

system is very perfect, people tend to perceive this system as a means that automatically<br />

achieves the goal, without the need for strenuous <strong>in</strong>dividual effort; the “system” solves<br />

the problem, not <strong>in</strong>dividual stra<strong>in</strong> and engagement. This subjectively felt sense of relief<br />

from <strong>in</strong>dividual challenge and responsibility is a common phenomenon <strong>in</strong> case of perfect<br />

systems and also holds for the “management of safety”. A good system is essential; a<br />

perfect system can create new problems.<br />

F<strong>in</strong>ally, to reach a high effectiveness level, all employees, managers and staff, have to<br />

accept the goal of high safety performance and to understand the processes and<br />

procedures the organization has chosen to pursue that goal. They have to do what is right,

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!