Assessing the state of organizational safety—culture or climate?

• DOI: 10.1007/s12144-999-1013-3
• Publication Date: 2007-08-02T12:50:49Z
• Authors: Kathryn J. Mearns; Rhona Flin
• Keywords: Safety Culture; Safety Climate; Organisation climate; Organizational safety; Snapshot (computer storage)

This article explores the concepts of safety culture and climate in an attempt to determine which is more useful for describing organization's “state safety.” From a review literature purporting measure or climate, it argued that, although two terms are often interchangeable, they actually distinct but related should be treated accordingly. The term “safety climate” best describes employees' perceptions, attitudes, beliefs about risk safety, typically measured by questionnaire surveys providing “snapshot” current state safety. “Safety culture” complex enduring trait reflecting fundamental values, norms, assumptions expectations, some extent reside societal culture. expression these “cultural” elements, perhaps, can seen through management practices reflected climate. Basically, measurement requires in-depth investigation including analysis how organizational members interact form shared view