Safety Management (SM) and Individual Safety Performance (ISP) are essential to fostering a secure workplace. Safety Management is a structured approach to identifying, controlling, and mitigating risks, incorporating training, policies, and ongoing monitoring to sustain safety standards. Individual Safety Performance focuses on the individual's responsibility to avoid accidents, pursue safety protocols, and use protective equipment. Together, these concepts create a safety culture by integrating organizational safety systems with personal responsibility, ensuring that an organization and individuals work towards a safer environment. Therefore, it is crucial to highlight the key attributes of safety management that impact an individual's safety performance.
Successful Safety Management involves promoting a safety-oriented culture, determining clear procedures, and prioritizing safety as a core organizational value. Individual Safety Performance is measured by the involvement of safety personnel, availability and maintenance of safety equipment, and adherence to safety procedures. When the attributes of SM and ISP align, organizations are more likely to achieve a safe and productive work environment. Accordingly, the relationship between SM and ISP is vital across industries. A well-structured and efficient Safety Management approach improves ISP, minimizing risks and encouraging a secure work environment - illustrating that an individual's dedication to safety is a fundamental element of a safe workplace.
In summary, strong safety management practices increase awareness, compliance, and job satisfaction. Organizational support to manage safety adequately leads to establishing a safety culture in the workplace that contributes to greater adherence to safety practices, initiating a proactive approach to reducing risks. Accordingly, when organizations invest in a comprehensive Safety Management system, they can expect enhancements in an individual's safety performance, yielding a secure, more engaged workforce. Simultaneously, by integrating effective safety management practices, organizations can improve safety outcomes and overall individual performance toward safety.
Dr. Afaf Hassan
Assistant Professor of Environmental Health and Safety
College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University
Reference:
Hassan, A., Alshamsi, B., Shbeeb, R., Abdelaziz, A. & Al Mudalaa, S. (2024). The Impact of Safety Management on Individuals' Performance. The International Journal of Learner Diversity and Identities, 31(1), 623-633. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11079607
Winge, S., Albrechtsen, E., & Arnesen, J. (2019). A comparative analysis of safety management and safety performance in twelve construction projects. Journal of safety research, 71, 139-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2019.09.015