Behavioural safety challenge for Eastern Europe

Safety & Health Practitioner

Polish-based NEW HSE, a NEBOSH-accredited training provider that aims to drive up health, safety and environment standards in Eastern Europe, has plans to develop a new behaviour-based safety system for the region.

Speaking exclusively to SHP, managing director, Dr Jennet Arshimova, said that the standard approach to behaviour-based systems that is widely accepted in Western Europe and North America cannot be adapted and used in Eastern Europe, which is why her consultancy is proposing a slightly different model.

Dr Arshimova explains that cultural differences, a different mentality to safety, historical influences, the maturity of the safety culture and different management and organisational styles present unique challenges for safety professionals in Eastern Europe.

“The main areas of concern are a frustration and resistance to change by employees, poor management commitment, a demotivated workforce, and a lack of understanding of the benefits of having good health and safety management systems,” she says.

Dr Arshimova said that her consultancy was looking to obtain support from international establishments and institutions that can assist it to promote good values of health and safety in the region.

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