Moving Beyond Safety Culture
Embracing Health & Safety Capability
Safety culture – it’s a phrase that sparks all kinds of reactions. For some, it’s an exciting concept. For others, it’s an overused buzzword. And for many, it’s just another point of confusion in workplace safety conversations. But what if there’s a better way forward?
The Limits of Culture
The term “safety culture” has been a favourite of researchers, consultants, and HR teams for decades. But as Professor Andrew Hopkins pointed out back in 2016, the phrase has often led to “endless confusion.” Hopkins argued that focusing too much on “culture” is a mistake because when culture is everything, it effectively becomes nothing.
The Context for Change
Think about it: if everything is about culture, what are we really solving? In reality, what people are often describing isn’t culture but capability – the organisation's ability to manage risks effectively and ensure safety in a dynamic environment.
It’s time to rethink how we approach health and safety in the workplace. To move forward, we need to focus on capability – the potential of an organisation to work productively, progressively, and be protected in an ever-changing world.
Why now? Because the world of work has shifted dramatically in recent years. Here are three key drivers of change:
Generational Shifts and Technology
The workforce now spans multiple generations, from Boomers to Gen Z. Each generation brings different expectations, especially around technology. Systems designed by Boomers are being challenged by younger workers who demand more interactive, dynamic solutions. Add the rapid technological advancements of the last 20 years, and it’s clear we need new ways to engage and enable workers.Economic Pressures
Businesses face fierce competition, supply chain challenges, rising costs of living, and a shifting labour market. Whether it’s adapting to casualised workforces or supporting full-time staff, organisations need robust systems and practices to manage these pressures without compromising safety.Social Justice and Inclusion
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are no longer optional; they’re essential. With increased migration to fill skill gaps, businesses must navigate cultural differences and create workplaces that embrace everyone. At the same time, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are climbing boardroom agendas, shaping how organisations operate and define success.
Introducing Health & Safety Capability
Health and safety capability shifts the focus from vague notions of culture to measurable, actionable potential. It considers three critical types of capital that organisations must invest in:
Systems: Health and Safety Management systems that align safety with strategic goals and priorities.
People: Ensuring every individual has the competence to meet ethical, legal, and operational obligations.
Customs: The lived experiences of workers – what they feel, think, and encounter every day – and how that contributes to managing risk effectively.
By integrating these elements, organisations can move beyond fragmented approaches like safety systems or safety culture. Instead, they can build true capability to manage risks holistically.
Why Health and Safety Capability Matters
Health and safety capability provides a fresh way to think about safety performance. Instead of relying on lagging indicators or activity-based metrics, we can measure an organisation’s potential to respond to challenges, prevent harm, and support recovery when incidents occur.
By framing safety as part of an organisation’s broader risk management approach, we create a lead indicator that aligns with other business priorities like financial performance and productivity. This makes it easier for decision-makers to prioritise resources and implement controls that drive real improvement.
Watch our fr&nk Founders Rick & Naomi explain our capability framework
What’s Next?
At fr&nk, we believe in capability as the future of workplace health and safety. If you’re ready to explore how this concept can transform your organisation, contact the fr&nk team today to learn more.
Our experts can guide you through building the health and safety capability you need to create a productive, progressive and protected workplace. Let’s start the conversation.