Human Factors and Safety Culture

This title explores human behaviour in the context of workplace safety and risk management. Focused on understanding how people detect, interpret and respond to danger and how leaders can put safety at the heart of their organizations’ culture, it draws on the latest insights from disciplines such as cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, and sociology. Integrating traditional and emerging perspectives in the field of Occupational Health and Safety, this book delivers both a vision and the tools to elevate safety as a core organizational value able to motivate and anchor safe behaviours and reinforce safety‑oriented leadership.

Written to include practical frameworks and clear examples, it addresses the cognitive processes, including perception, attention, and memory, that influence individuals’ judgement and decision‑making at work as well as spontaneous behaviour. Readers will discover how biases, emotions, and underlying values play a role in shaping attitudes towards safety, providing a fresh perspective on emotional intelligence and behavioural motivation. Through a "Toolbox‑style" section, filled with actionable techniques that can be applied to any workplace, readers gain strategies to implement these insights immediately, helping to embed safety as a shared cultural value.

Additional sections, such as "Did you know?" and "Focus on...", present surprising findings and deeper dives into key topics, revealing real‑world applications. The reader will develop a good understanding of the key theories and practices behind safety culture at work that can be made applicable to any industry. Human Factors and Safety Culture: How Leaders Can Influence Behaviours for Good is designed for those in occupational health and safety, including current and aspiring safety leaders, HR and operations managers, and anyone involved in shaping a positive organizational workplace culture.