Creating Safety Culture through Edgar Schein’s theory

 

Safety culture is widely regarded as a fundamental aspect of safety management. In order to assess the efficacy of an organization's safety culture, one might employ the fundamental framework proposed by Edgar Schein.

According to the conceptual framework proposed by Edgar Schein about organizational culture, there exist three distinct stages that can be undertaken to cultivate a culture of safety inside a company

1. artifacts,

2. espoused values, and

3. basic assumptions

Artifacts method is basically the visual cultural depiction Things that are visually appealing can help one understand the Artefacts method. Just try to picture a manufacturing worker in your head as an example. The manufacturing worker can seem visually as someone sporting a bright blue jumpsuit, a hard hat, and a set of safety goggles. They are surrounded by a wide range of equipment, supplies, and raw materials that go into making things. The worker's hands are working swiftly to assemble the parts as they are concentrated on the task at hand. They are focused and determined, as seen by the expression on their faces.

It is possible to recognise and comprehend the numerous artefacts that can support a safe working environment by using Edgar Schein's artefacts application in organizational safety culture. The organizational and cultural artefacts are examined by the artefact’s application. Physical artefacts are the observable objects used in the workplace that improve safety, such as appropriate signage, protective gear, and educational materials such as posters. Organizational artefacts include the policies, processes, and risk management plans that are in place to provide a safe working environment. Cultural artefacts, which include a dedication to safety, supportive reinforcement for safety standards, and a shared feeling of responsibility for safety, are what make up an organization's safety culture. Organisations can develop a safety culture that can result in greater safety performance and a healthier work environment by recognising the artefacts that can affect safety.

Edgar Schein's espoused values, which is the second step for developing and strengthening organizational culture refer to the values that the organization explicitly states or communicates to its members. These values can include the organization's mission, vision, and core values. They are the values that the organization puts forth to the public and to its members, and they are the ones that the organization works to uphold.

Edgar Schein's espoused values can be applied in organizational safety culture development. The espoused value model focuses on the importance of understanding and applying values to safety culture. It posits that organizational safety culture is the product of the values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that are espoused, and enacted, by the organization. It can be argues that organizations must identify the values underlying their safety culture in order to successfully implement effective safety procedures. He believes that if organizations do not have a clear understanding of their espoused values, then they will be unable to create an effective safety culture. Schein's espoused values application in organizational safety culture can help organizations to identify the values that underlie their safety culture, and to ensure that those values are reflected in the organization's safety policies and procedures. This model can also help organizations to identify and address any gaps in their safety culture, and to ensure that their safety culture is aligned with their organizational values.

Espoused values can be a powerful tool in creating an organizational safety culture. By focusing on the core values of the organization, such as safety, respect, and excellence, leaders can help create an environment that encourages employees to prioritize safety. This can be done by emphasizing the importance of safety in decision making and communication, setting clear expectations for safety performance, and promoting a culture of accountability. Additionally, employees should be encouraged to speak up when they see any potential safety risks, and should be encouraged to follow the safety protocols established by the organization. By emphasizing the importance of safety through espoused values, organizations can ensure that safety is always at the forefront of their operations.

To understand the spoused value in an Organization lets understand through an example - A significant industrial organization that produces heavy machinery has adopted safety culture. "Safety First, Always" is one of the concepts embraced by their safety management system. Their mission statement publicly displays this principle, and they regularly communicate about it and reinforce it through training initiatives and safety campaigns.

In this case, the concept of "Safety First, Always" that Manufacturing company espouses is more than simply platitudes; it is firmly established in their organizational culture and is continuously exemplified by their actions and regulations. This dedication to safety benefits the company's reputation and overall prosperity in addition to the health and safety of its workers.

Here are some examples of how this professed ideal is put into practise within the organization:

Let's look at what a company may do, for instance, to implement Edgar Schein's espoused value of fostering an organizational safety culture:.

1.       Open, honest, and respectful communication: Employees should be encouraged to speak up and discuss safety issues without fear of repercussions. This allows for the development of a culture of trust and safety. 

2.    Clear safety protocols: It is important to make sure that everyone in the organization is aware of the safety protocols and procedures in place. This will help ensure that employees are taking the necessary steps to protect themselves and each other. 

3.   Continuous improvement: Organizations should strive to continually improve their safety protocols and procedures. This could include such things as implementing new technologies, conducting regular safety inspections, and providing training to employees. 

4.  Recognition of achievement: By acknowledging and rewarding employees for following safety protocols, organizations can help create a culture of safety and accountability. 

5.   Commitment from leadership: Leaders should be actively involved in promoting safety in the workplace. This could include such things as leading safety meetings, providing feedback to employees, and setting a good example for others.

The third concept that was proposed by Edgar Schein in creating organizational culture is known as basic assumption. It emphasizes that shared values, beliefs, and assumptions lead to a consistent pattern of behavior, which in turn creates a culture. This means that a culture is created when an organization's members share a common set of values, beliefs, and assumptions that shape their behaviors and attitudes. Schein believed that these shared values, beliefs, and assumptions create a sense of belonging and identity for members of the organization, which in turn drives their behavior and performance. He argued that organizational culture should be actively managed and nurtured in order to achieve desired outcomes.

Edgar Schein’s Basic Assumption (BA) is a fundamental belief that individuals in an organization share about the way that the organization works. This assumption is formed over time and is based on the experiences of the individuals in the organization.

The BA can be used to create a strong safety culture in an organization. It provides a framework for understanding the beliefs of individuals in the organization regarding safety. By using this framework, managers can identify and address potential safety issues before they become safety incidents. Additionally, the BA can be used to ensure that safety-related decisions are consistent with the overall safety culture in the organization.

By understanding the BA, managers can create a safety culture that encourages employees to take an active role in safety. This can include providing employees with the knowledge and resources they need to recognize and address safety issues. Additionally, the BA can be used to ensure that safety is a priority for everyone in the organization. By clearly communicating the safety expectations of the organization, managers can ensure that employees are aware of the importance of safety and are held accountable for their actions.

Edgar Schein's basic assumption provides organizations with a framework for understanding the core elements of a safe workplace culture. This framework helps organizations identify and assess the various dimensions of safety that are important in the workplace. These dimensions include organizational structure, systems, processes, values, beliefs, and communication styles. Schein's basic assumption further provides organizations with a roadmap for creating a safe culture based on organizational goals and objectives. By examining the various components of safety, organizations can better understand how to create an environment that minimizes risks and encourages employees to work safely. Additionally, Schein's basic assumption helps organizations create a culture of trust and collaboration by emphasizing open communication and positive reinforcement. By emphasizing safety as a core value and establishing organizational systems and processes to support it, organizations can create a safe work environment that encourages employees to speak up and report any issues they may have.

Ccertainly, In the realm of organizational management, the intricate relationship between organizational culture and safety stands as an undeniable truth. As numerous management theories, including Edgar Schein's model of organizational culture, have expounded upon, culture is not a mere backdrop but an active driver of safety within an organization. It is the undercurrent that shapes behaviors, attitudes, and values, affecting how employees perceive, prioritize, and practice safety. A robust safety culture, deeply rooted in the core values and beliefs of an organization, fosters an environment where safety becomes more than a set of rules; it becomes a way of life. Management theories such as James Reason's "Swiss Cheese Model" vividly illustrate how a culture of safety can act as a protective shield, ensuring that the holes of human error do not align to create catastrophic accidents.