ABSTRACT

In discussing changing workplace safety cultures, Mark Friend (2012) was asked if safety was really first and if it should be promoted as first. He replied:

“Safety first,” may be heard around the water cooler or at the beginning of a new job, but is it really? Should it be? It is difficult for business organizations to put safety first, but safety can be considered in every management plan and integrated into every action a manager or employee takes. What causes an organizational culture to move in this direction and how does the shift occur? This is what safety culture change is all about. (personal communication)

The next question posed to Friend (2012) was, “In a safety culture change intervention where does safety belong?”