Safety Culture Maturity Assessment: Insights and Improvement Opportunities for the Oil and Gas Sector

Abstract

Introduction: Assessing safety culture maturity is crucial for organizations to evaluate safety performance and identify areas for improvement. Without such assessments, companies may focus on nonspecific problems, hindering progress despite safety initiatives. This study assesses safety culture maturity within the Malaysian oil and gas industry and identifies specific areas for improvement. Materials and methods: A survey was conducted using a questionnaire based on the five HSE safety ladder dimensions, evaluating 18 key dimensions of safety culture including communication, leadership commitment, rewards and recognition, incident perception, HSE and profitability, contractor management, training and competency, HSE department efficacy, intervention practices, consequence management, process safety, procedural adherence, incident investigation, hazard reporting, lessons learned, safety meetings, auditing processes, and HSE benchmarking. Results: Organizations have made significant strides in achieving a generative level of safety culture maturity. However, dimensions such as incident perception, training and competency, and leadership engagement require improvement. Addressing these gaps through robust incident reporting and response mechanisms, continuous training programs, proactive leadership involvement, and enhanced communication can significantly enhance safety culture. Conclusion: This study provides insights into factors influencing safety culture maturity and offers a framework for targeted interventions to enhance safety practices. The findings underscore the importance of continuous assessment and targeted improvements in maintaining high safety performance. These insights are crucial for professionals in high-risk sectors aiming to develop a dynamic and inclusive safety culture.