Domestic Scan Successful Approaches for the Development of an Organization-Wide Safety Culture in Transportation Agencies” 1

Purpose Traffic safety agencies are responsible for ensuring the safety of road users. This is difficult to achieve unless the agency itself has a culture that values safety. How can such agencies develop a strong safety culture to support their mandate to ensure the safety of road users? Examine examples of success and lessons learned from other agencies that have already demonstrated a strong safety culture.

Methodology Six organizations with reputation for strong safety cultures. –State DOT and industry organizations Step 1: Survey based on research of success factors and process for culture change. Step 2: Supplemental questions. Step 3: NCHRP panel meeting with organization representatives to discuss specific strategies. Step 4: NCHRP panel meeting to review and consolidate conclusions.

Definition: Organization Culture Values that define priorities and mission goals. Paradigm Behavioral efforts based on beliefs about hazards and capabilities. Strategies Institutionalization of values and strategies within organization policy and structure. Artifacts

5 Definition: Organization Safety Culture (US DOT) Safety culture within an organization is exemplified by “the shared values and behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to safety over competing goals”.

Success Factors 1.Management and leadership within the organization are publically committed to safety. 2.The organization emphasizes safety as part of its internal and public image. 3.The organization has a vision for the goal (success) of the safety culture program. 4.Safety goals are formalized in organization planning and strategic documents. 5.The organization has policies and equipment that promote and support safety in workplace. 6.Failure of safety can be catastrophic and impact the public reputation of the organization.

Key Process (Kotter, 2007)

Summary Changing organizational safety culture is a very complex challenge requiring leadership, vision, employee engagement and communication. The Kotter Change Model is a template that can be used for guidance, however, each organization needs to determine how to improve its safety culture. Individuals must clearly understand their personal responsibility if an agency is to achieve its safety goals. For a DOT, that means its employees, its contractors and the users of the transportation system. 8

MN leadership from on high - role of executive leadership - has to be actual energy and action and investing in it not just talk Presentation from contractor - is safety really important? Is it really your #1 priority? (lack of action - put up cones to protect people) Bullet point list - factors in organizations with strong safety culture

Safety goals are formalized in organization planning and strategic documents There is open communication within the organization about safety programs and goals The organization has a “democratic” style of management and leadership (based on worker input)

Safety goals in organization planning and strategic documents Washington State, Zero traffic deaths by 2030 FHWA, toward zero deaths MnSAFE, reduce workplace injuries 25% 11

Open communication about safety programs and goals Monsanto CEO, quarterly virtual town hall meetings Iowa DOT, social media, dynamic message boards, weekly newsletters MnSAFE, follow up with 5% per year injury reductions FHWA, every day counts sharing proven innovations 12

Summary The documents that “guide” the organization must have the safety goals You can’t communicate and share best practices too much Are employees speaking up? Are you comfortable with all your efforts? 13

Strategic Themes 1.Increase value (priority) of safety (e.g., TZD Vision). 2.Change behaviors related to safety (e.g., Arch Angel). 3.Create social bond to support mutual safety (e.g., bystander intervention). 4.Leverage positive aspects of existing culture (e.g., importance of safety to family).

National Center for Rural Road Safety 15 Archived Webinar for Scan approaches-for-the-development-of-an-organization- wide-safety-culture-in-transportation-agencies