C10.7.4.1 Creating a positive culture
Culture is often described as “the 4 C’s”:
- Competence – of the workforce
- Control – organisation structure and responsibilities
- Communication – information about risks
- Co-operation – between all relevant parties
1. Competence
- Assess the skills needed to carry out all tasks properly.
- Provide the means to ensure that all employees are adequately instructed and trained.
- Ensure that people doing especially high risk work have the necessary training.
- Ensure that employees have experience and other qualities to carry out the work properly.
- Arrange for and use access to sound advice and help.
- Carry out restructuring or reorganisation to ensure the competence of those taking on new responsibilities.
2. Control
- Lead by example.
- Identify people responsible for particular sustainability jobs.
- Ensure that managers, supervisors and team leaders understand their responsibilities and have the time and resources to carry them out.
- Ensure everyone knows what they must do and how they will be held accountable.
3. Co-operation
- Chair your environmental / sustainability committee – if you have one.
- Always consult your employees and their representatives.
- Involve staff in planning and reviewing performance, writing procedures and solving problems.
- Co-ordinate and co-operate with those contractors undertaking works, you are responsible for them.
4. Communication
- Provide information about hazards, risks and preventive measures to employees and contractors carrying out work.
- Discuss sustainability with all employees regularly.
- Be ‘visible’ on sustainability. Lead by example!