THE INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP ON SAFETY CULTURE

Abstract

This paper defines what safety culture, safety climate, and safety leadership are. Furthermore, it addresses the influence of leadership as
well as quantifiable elements of the influence of leadership on the culture
of safety, including communication, supervision, workload, the well-being
of the workforce, employee engagement, and individual impact. From a
safety leadership point of view, it is crucial to note that, in many ways, the
organization does not perceive the effect of culture because organization
members consider everything that fits the cultural norms to be the normal
operation of the business. Such members rarely reflect on the rationale of
their thoughts and feelings, and when a new situation in such company
requires mutual explanation, the leadership normally provides explanations that suit the members’ assumptions and thoughts. Thus, with regard
to the above-mentioned factors, this paper critically analyzes the impact of
leadership in a culture of safety which is particularly critical for the nuclear
sector. In conclusion, leadership plays an important role in ensuring the culture of safety in an organization. The safety climate of an organization can
be achieved when safety leaders demonstrate strong commitment to safety,
give positive examples of safety, as well as motivate workers. Subsequently, a
positive effect on the culture of safety can be achieved by sustaining the efforts
of safety leadership over a continuous period of time, causing employees to
appreciate safety, which has positive effects on the safety culture.