Question

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Define, explain and contrast the difference between a proactive and reactive safety culture. Detail some of the elements and dynamics associated with a proactive safety system

Answer 1

Sl.No	Proactive safety culture	Reactive safety culture
1	Definition: The proactive safety culture is the attitude or values that the employees in the organization share in such a way that they are materialized before the occurrence of an incident or accident.	Definition: The proactive safety culture is the attitude or values that the employees in the organization towards safety after an incident or accident happens in the workplace.
2	The Proactive safety culture involves anticipating an accident or incident through hazard identification and risk assessment that is developed based on the work methodology.	The Reactive safety culture involves analyzing and investigation the accident and incident through root cause analysis in order to identify and control further occurrences.
3	It helps in reducing the number of worker’s compensation claim	It has no control over the worker’s compensation claim and it purely based on the severity of the accident or incident.
4	It emphasizes emergency preparedness in such a way that the response time is minimized. Emergency mock drills, Providing adequate emergency equipment like a fire extinguisher, first aid box, etc., are some of the factors that drive the emergency response plans and procedures.	The response time is uncertain as there is no prior emergency preparedness that is considered before an incident.
5	Example: Providing appropriate training, rescue equipment, Personal Protective Equipment and performing medical fitness checks, pre-use inspections, toolbox briefing, etc., before involving in working at height activity shows proactive safety culture.	Example: Not considering any safety measures before the electrical activity but considering factors such as electrical gloves, Trainings, and PPEs after a fatal incident due to electric shock shows reactive safety culture.
6	It eliminates, reduces or minimizes the level of impact of incidents or accidents.	It does not eliminate, reduce or minimize the level of impact of an incident or accident unless there is a similar occurrence.
7	Long term health hazard (such as exposure to radio frequency) are identified and active measures are taken to control it in the proactive safety culture	Most of the long term health hazard is left unnoticed in the reactive safety culture.

The elements and dynamics associated with the proactive safety system involve:

Unambiguous HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) Plan and HSE Budget: The HSE plan should be developed by the Safety Manager based on each project or activity and it should be approved by the top management to ensure and adhere to the commitment as mentioned in the HSE Plan. The HSE Plan must contain all the details that are involved in the project and the control measures that are put in place in order to provide a safe system of work.

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA): The HIRA is developed based on the site surveys and by the work methodology that is defined by the technical team. The HIRA should be valid only for the particular activity and a competent person should be responsible for developing the Risk assessment. Training and information should be given to the employees that are involved in the activity to ensure that the control measures mentioned in the risk assessment are put in place.

Safety reporting systems: Organizations hire safety officers or Safety executives to monitor and control the risks in the activities in such a way that a proactive safety culture is promoted in the workplace. The reporting system should be developed in such a way that all the operational safety-related data are given high importance and the issues related to it are addressed properly.

Consequence management policy: Consequence management involves providing a standard and consistent approach to deal with employees or workers whose behavior and performance are ensured in such a way that it falls below acceptable standards or regulatory requirements.

Compliance audit: The compliance audit which is done on a regular basis by an internal or an external auditor looks into three factors: conformance, record-keeping, and training in order to determine whether the company can provide a safe and healthful workplace and to control the factors that deviate from the standards if any.