Large international organisations often gain their reputation not solely from the quality of their products or services but also from the organisational culture they foster. A strong organisational culture can differentiate a company from its competitors, attract top talent, foster innovation, and ultimately contribute to long-term success. Two exemplary companies renowned for their commitment to safety culture are Tata and Toyota. 

Tata's dedication to safety is firmly rooted in its core values and principles, reflecting a resolute commitment to safeguarding the welfare of its employees, customers, and communities. Similarly, Toyota's safety ethos is founded on its enduring principles of continuous enhancement and reverence for individuals.

 

Gaining a brief understanding of the safety cultures at Tata Motors and Toyota can provide invaluable insights for other organisations seeking to enhance their own safety practices. By studying the approaches taken by these industry leaders, companies can identify effective strategies and best practices for fostering a culture of safety within their own workplaces. 

 

In this blog, we will discuss the significance of promoting a culture of safety within companies, exploring how industry giants like Tata Motors and Toyota have exemplified the transformative power of prioritising health and safety.

 

Why is health and safety important in a business?

Liberty Mutual projected that employers incurred over $1 billion per week in direct workers' compensation expenses due to disabling and nonfatal workplace injuries in 2018. This underscores the importance of investing in health safety measures, which eventually reduce healthcare expenses, minimise absenteeism, and prevent regulatory penalties. Additionally, a focus on health and safety enhances a company's reputation, attracting top talent and fostering trust with customers. A strong safety culture and leadership of high quality go hand in hand to ensure that employees feel empowered to prioritise safety in all aspects of their work. Overall, prioritising health and safety is essential for creating a thriving and sustainable business.

 

Companies With The Best Organisational Safety Culture  

Tata Motors and Toyota have amongst the best safety cultures in manufacturing industries. Here’s what they do differently. 

 

Tata Motors 

Tata Motors prioritises employee health and safety to achieve business excellence. With 25 Safety and Health Standards, five Safety Flagship programs, and six sets of Safety Guidelines, their robust safety management system ensures compliance with ISO 45001 certification and relevant legal requirements. Key elements of their safety strategy include Standards & Procedures, Training & Capability Building, Safety Observation, Contractor Safety Management, and Incident Investigation.

 

Tata Motors has taken up several initiatives with the aim of mitigating hazards and reducing risks.

 

• Critical-to-Safety Stations: Critical-to-safety stations (CTS) were established across plant locations to adopt a focused approach toward areas with higher injury potential. Throughout the year, a total of 747 CTS stations were addressed, with a special emphasis on risk mitigation efforts resulting in a 69% reduction in recordable cases at CTS stations.

• Safety Kaizen sessions: Safety Kaizen sessions were conducted across various locations to delve deeper into safety issues. Themes such as driving safety, PPE compliance and material handling were explored in 43 Safety Kaizens held throughout the year.

• Systematic Six-Step Process: A systematic six-step process for Safety Observations has been implemented by over 5,000 White Collar Employees on a weekly basis. This process aids in identifying safe and unsafe acts and situations, promoting increased interactions and coaching opportunities with shop floor employees.

• Empower Blue-Collar Employees: The company launched the Actions Employee Can Take (AECT) program to empower its blue collar employees. Under this initiative, workmen are encouraged to report unsafe acts and situations in their respective areas. These observations are then assessed by supervisors, and necessary corrective actions are implemented accordingly.

 

Toyota 

Toyota has established itself as a global leader in organisational safety culture, setting industry standards through its relentless pursuit of safety excellence. The Toyota Tsusho Health and Safety Committee, led by the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), is responsible for supervising health and safety initiatives. 

 

Meeting on a monthly basis, the committee addresses employee well-being and safety concerns, delivering reports to the Board of Directors regarding potential risks when necessary. An appointed labour union officer participates as an employee representative, working alongside committee members to improve workplace conditions conducive to employee health and productivity.

 

The initiative was taken by Toyota Group to promote workplace health and safety. Some of them are 

 

• Employee Development through Training: Dojo, derived from Japanese, refers to a training space dedicated to immersive learning. At Toyota, newcomers undergo thorough training before beginning their work duties. Within the dojo, theoretical knowledge is transformed into practical skills, providing our employees with comprehensive safety training in a visually engaging and impactful environment.

 

• Promoting Effective Communication and Collaboration: Senior management at Toyota Tsusho Group acknowledges the importance of transparent communication between management and employees in safety and health management. This commitment underscores the value placed on fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.

 

• Compliance Focus and Ongoing Improvement Initiatives: Toyota maintains a dedicated commitment to complying with safety and health regulations within customer premises while continuously refining internal protocols to bolster safety standards. This dedication ensures a proactive approach to enhancing safety and health management systems.

 

• Embracing Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems: Leveraging occupational safety and health management systems, Toyota Tsusho Group remains determined to pursue continuous improvement across all operational facets. This systematic approach underscores the organisation's dedication to ensuring a safe and secure working environment.

 

Benefits of a Positive Health and Safety Culture 

A positive health and safety culture in the workplace yields numerous benefits for both employees and employers. Here are some of the key benefits of creating a world-class safety culture in the workplace.

• Enhanced Employee Morale and Engagement: A safe and healthy work environment fosters a sense of security and trust among employees. This leads to higher morale, increased job satisfaction, and greater engagement in their work.

• Improved Productivity: When employees feel safe and supported, they focus on their tasks and perform at their best. This results in higher productivity levels and better overall performance for the organisation.

• Reduced Accidents and Injuries: A strong safety culture encourages employees to identify and address potential hazards proactively. This leads to fewer workplace accidents, injuries, and illnesses, reducing downtime and associated costs.

• Cost Savings: Investing in health and safety measures can lead to significant cost savings for businesses. This includes reductions in healthcare expenses, workers' compensation claims, and costs related to absenteeism and turnover.

• Enhanced Reputation: Companies with a positive health and safety culture are perceived as responsible and caring employers. This can improve their reputation among employees, customers, investors, and the community at large.

• Compliance with Regulations: A proactive approach to health and safety ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. This reduces the risk of fines, penalties, and legal liabilities for the organisation.

• Attraction and Retention of Talent: A solid commitment to health and safety can help attract top talent to the organisation. It also helps retain existing employees who value their well-being and seek employers who prioritise safety.

• Improved Employee Relations: By involving employees in safety initiatives and listening to their concerns, organisations can build stronger relationships with their workforce. This leads to better communication, trust, and collaboration.

 

Effective Ideas to Improve Safety Culture in the Workplace

To develop a safety culture within their organisations, leaders can implement a range of practical strategies, including:

 

• Establishing clear safety policies and procedures.
• Providing comprehensive safety training and ongoing education.
• Encouraging open communication and employee involvement in safety initiatives.
• Recognising and rewarding safety-conscious behaviour.
• Conducting regular safety audits and inspections.
• Leading by example and demonstrating a top-level commitment to safety at all times.

 

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, workplace safety culture is not just a legal obligation but a strategic imperative for companies seeking sustainable growth and success. By drawing culture of safety examples from industry leaders like Tata Motors and Toyota, organisations can embark on a transformative journey toward creating safer, healthier, and more prosperous workplaces. By working together and staying dedicated to improving safety culture in the workplace, companies can keep their employees safe and create a future where safety is essential to how they do business.

 

At the British Safety Council, we place a strong emphasis on employee well-being by conducting health and safety audits. Our Five Star Occupational Health & Safety Audit assesses health and safety culture in the workplace of various organisations, ensuring adherence to legislation and nurturing a culture of safety. Our Step in Change safety culture programme addresses the needs of organisations aiming to cultivate and sustain a safety culture in a workplace environment. Remember, prioritising workplace safety isn't just smart business, it's a lifeline for every member of your team.