How to develop ISO 45001 culture?
- Vusala Javadova
- 11.10.2025
- 40
Every organisation, regardless of its industry, must prioritise the well-being of its employees and stakeholders. One highly effective way to do so is by implementing ISO 45001 standards. ISO 45001 provides a comprehensive framework for occupational health and safety management. By adopting these standards, you demonstrate your commitment to a safe workplace. Ensure compliance with ISO 45001 requirements to set a solid foundation for a strong safety culture.
A strong safety culture is more than just regulatory compliance. It is also about actively engaging employees, contractors, and suppliers in workplace safety to reduce incidents, improve morale, and enhance business resilience.
ISO 45001 provides a comprehensive framework for occupational health and safety management. By adopting these standards, you demonstrate your commitment to a safe workplace. Ensure compliance with ISO 45001 requirements to set a solid foundation for a strong safety culture.
The first step in developing an ISO 45001 culture is leadership commitment. Top management should prioritize safety issues, set an example, and encourage safe behavior among employees. When staff see that leadership genuinely takes this responsibility seriously, safety values naturally become part of their daily behavior.
The second step is to integrate safety issues into daily operations. Embedding safety into daily operations ensures that it becomes a natural part of every task, decision, and supplier relationship. A strong safety culture is not just about training or policies. It requires real-time data, proactive risk management, and supplier alignment to maintain workplace safety effectively. How to Embed Safety into Daily Operations
Align Safety with Business Goals – Safety should be integrated into daily KPIs, procurement decisions, and performance metrics rather than being treated as a separate function.
Extend Safety Culture to Suppliers and Contractors – Prequalifying suppliers ensures they meet contractor safety and HSEQ compliance standards before working on-site.
The third essential element is employee participation and empowerment. Employees should be given an active role in identifying potential risks, investigating incidents, and providing improvement suggestions. In this way, the system becomes not just “managed” but a “living” culture embraced by everyone.
The fourth direction is continuous training and awareness. Safety knowledge should be regularly updated and reinforced through real-life examples and experience sharing. This helps employees develop a more conscious approach to risks.
Finally, measurement and evaluation play a crucial role in developing the ISO 45001 culture. Data obtained from incident indicators, audit results, and behavioral observations form the foundation for continuous improvement.
A strong occupational safety culture not only prevents incidents but also increases employee motivation and enhances the company’s credibility.