Rank: Forum user 
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Hi all, I have been tasked by the board to look at 'what other companies are positively doing to improve health, safety and environmental standards'. That is a pretty broad brief! It doesn't matter the size of the company or the industry.
Whilst I've been looking into this, I've identified some really powerful areas that could be improved and, whilst it wasn't mentioned in the brief, I'm also looking at the wellbeing aspect of Health. As an interesting topic, I thought I'd try to look at getting some feedback from other H&S professionals. Any thoughts on this as to what you would put forward, given a brief like this?
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Rank: Super forum user
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It all depends on what you have already. Look how Hudson and Parker classify H&S cultures and decide what level you are at and then aim for the next level up. If you think that all of your ducks are in row you are probably at the calculative level, what can you do to become more proactive or even generative? Levels listed here: - Pathological; who cares about safety as long as we are not caught?
- Reactive; Safety is important: we do a lot every time we have an accident.
- Calculative; we have systems in place to manage all hazards.
- Proactive; we try to anticipate safety problems before they arise.
- Generative; HSE is how we do business round here.
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 1 user thanked A Kurdziel for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi Amanda 55 readers of your posting but no responses implies that you haven't given enough to work on! Without going into the detail of the shortcomings you have already found (which are not suitable for public airing!) perhaps you should give us a flavour of your organisation. Size, multi-site, sector(s). Current initiatives that are widely popular include more focus on occupational (and mental) health, asbestos (still), client approach to managing contractors, travel (whether or not work-related), security (including terrorism in its widest context) and the low probability, high consequence risks - some of these are not well managed using some of the common numerical matrices that have become almost ubiquitous in risk assessments.
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1 user thanked peter gotch for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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Thank you for the feedback. To point you in the right direction, I am a compliance manager for an SME within the utilities sector. We are multi-site, working in a lot of public areas dealing with confined spaces, work equipment etc. In relation to compliance and culture, we are forward thinking and innovative but could always make improvements to our culture. In general, our overall health and safety compliance is very good, we go about and beyond the minimum requirements. We have the potential to grow as a business and if/when that happens, I want to be able to have the confidence that we are doing all we can. We currently have initiatives taking place like mental health first aid training across the business, IOSH training being delivered to all our managers, improving our committee meetings etc. What I'm trying to understand is the bigger initiatives out there, how people re standing out as a leader in health and safety. Even though we are an SME, I am trying to drive forward that initiatives that will help to achieve a generative culture.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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A picture speaks a thousand words so the H&S person turning up in their new flashy car following a substantial pay rise brining them to the level they deserve, would send a significant message to the company that the Directors take H&S seriously. What! I’m serious, ok it is Friday, but it couldn’t hurt. Directors showing interest in H&S issues with their direct subordinates, and asking their direct subordinates to do the same, will also send a message to the workforce. You have asked for initiatives (solutions), but I think you have to first identify what problems you feel you have. By this I don’t just mean accidents but behaviours and beliefs. Chris
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2 users thanked chris42 for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi Amanda,
One important area to consider, in addition to the above, is that of worker participation- if unionised, working with safety reps has an undoubted value.
If not unionised there is still great scope for major improvement in having everybody on side and committed-developing trust which is invaluable.
Regards
Mike
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1 user thanked MikeKelly for this useful post.
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