Developed by the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) for ECAST, this document defines and operationalises the safety culture concept and provide a safety culture framework.
‘This document has been prepared by the EASA ECAST SMS Working Group and provides guidance to organisations on the concept of Safety Culture. While no requirements regarding Safety Culture are included in the EASA rules on organisation and accountabilities within a Safety Management System (NPA 2008-22c) or in the acceptable means of compliance, the need to establish ‘a culture of safety’ is part of the Basic Regulation of EASA. Also, the ECAST SMS Working Group is convinced that an SMS cannot be effective without an appropriate Safety Culture. Therefore, this document provides guidance to organisations in understanding the concept of Safety Culture and assessing Safety Culture in their own organisation
The guidance on Safety Culture provided in this document is based on a synthesis [Montijn and de Jong] of the main Safety Culture concepts and best practices described in literature and of the most recent developments in this field. It is aimed at all organisations bearing a responsibility for safety in aviation.
The following definition of Safety Culture is provided:
Safety Culture is the set of enduring values and attitudes regarding safety issues, shared by every member of every level of an organization. Safety Culture refers to the extent to which every individual and every group of the organization is aware of the risks and unknown hazards induced by its activities; is continuously behaving so as to preserve and enhance safety; is willing and able to adapt itself when facing safety issues; is willing to communicate safety issues; and consistently evaluates safety related behaviour. ‘
