Welcome to the part 2 of 3 in our article series. This ime we will take a look at the community-centered Safety work, and the Safety Spectrum,
The Community-Centred Safety Framework
We shape and implement safety policy and culture through the Community-Centred Safety Framework, which emphasises the multifaceted nature of safety and the community’s role in maintaining it.
The foundation of this framework is the Occupational Risk Management System (ORMS), bridging safety policies with the practical management of workplace risks. ORMS identifies, assesses, and monitors risks that could affect the community’s well-being, disrupt operations, or cause damage. It also tracks safety competencies, making it essential for implementing the focus areas effectively.
The framework’s three safety perspectives, Participatory Safety, Predictive Safety, and Protective Safety, offer diverse perspectives on managing safety, fostering a more adaptable, resilient, and sustainable approach.
- Participatory Safety: Emphasises collaboration and active involvement from students, staff, and stakeholders. Open communication, peer-driven safety initiatives, and safety training sessions build trust and reinforce shared responsibility. Individuals contribute to identifying and addressing risks, promoting a sense of ownership.
- Predictive Safety: Centres on foresight, identifying risks, and implementing preventive measures through risk assessments, trend analysis, scenario planning, and emergency preparedness. Education and awareness help the community prepare for emerging challenges.
- Protective Safety: Focuses on concrete measures to mitigate hazards and risks, supported by structured safety governance, clear roles, and policies. It also includes comprehensive support mechanisms like mental health services, crisis intervention teams, and security personnel, ensuring a secure and supportive environment.
Safety perspectives are interconnected, creating a holistic and adaptable approach to safety. By examining safety concerns through community engagement, proactive foresight, and protective measures, more effective and sustainable solutions emerge. The balance between community involvement and protective actions adapts to changing needs, supporting overall well-being.
Our Safety Policy answers the question “What do we want to achieve?”, aligning safety efforts with HAMK’s goals. Safety Culture answers “What do we really do?”, reflecting everyday safety practices and attitudes. Together, they ensure that safety is not just a theory but a practical part of our organisational mindset.
Internal and external factors influence the effectiveness of our safety framework. Compliance with regulations and recognised internal risks shape our strategies. As these factors change, so must our safety measures to address emerging threats.
The impact of our safety efforts is evident in a stronger safety culture, increased sense of security, and enhanced resilience within the community. These outcomes demonstrate how effective safety practices contribute to individual and organisational well-being.
Spectrum of Safety
The Community-Centred Safety Framework functions as a dynamic generator, creating a spectrum of safety throughout the community and its activities. In revising our approach, we expanded beyond the traditional safety states like incidents, accidents, or crises. We introduced new states, starting with ‘Everyday,’ representing the baseline of safety, followed by ‘Risks’ as a distinct state. This expansion ensures that safety is integrated into all activities, with everyone aware of the associated risks. At the end of the spectrum, we include ‘Catastrophes’, events that can affect not only our community but also society at large, such as pandemics, severe weather, or international conflicts.
This spectrum is shaped by the interplay of the three safety perspectives, with each taking precedence depending on the safety context. In everyday situations, Participatory Safety leads, emphasising community engagement and collective responsibility. When incidents or accidents occur, Predictive Safety takes the forefront, using foresight and competence to manage risks. In crises, Protective Safety becomes central, focusing on structured safety measures. Finally, in catastrophic scenarios, Participatory Safety resurges, bringing the community together to navigate the crisis and reinforce shared responsibility. This dynamic spectrum ensures safety is maintained and adapted according to the evolving threat, promoting resilience at all levels of the community.
Overlaying the safety spectrum are the essential skills and competencies required for effective safety management. The most crucial of these are the expertise and professional skills of all individuals, particularly staff, but also students, especially in elevated-risk situations. We ensure both staff and students are equipped with the knowledge and competence to manage safety-related scenarios effectively.
Another key competence area is Risk Management, which empowers individuals to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks before they escalate. This includes situational awareness, allowing individuals to monitor their environment for emerging risks or changes.
Safety Skills, such as First Aid, fire extinguishing, evacuation, and lockdown procedures, are vital for everyday safety. These skills mitigate the impact of incidents, accidents, and crises, and build resilience by fostering a sense of agency and capability. They enable individuals to recognise hazards, implement safety measures, and act appropriately when necessary.
Cooperation Skills are essential for effective teamwork within the community and when collaborating with external authorities, such as police, fire departments, and healthcare providers. This cooperation ensures well-coordinated safety efforts, mobilising the right resources and support to address any situation. Strong cooperation networks, both professional and peer-based, enhance the community’s collective ability to respond to safety challenges effectively.
Resilience is a core component of our framework, considered a continuous competency, particularly as situations progress from accidents to crises and catastrophes. Resilience involves the ability to recover from disruptions, maintaining functionality and well-being despite challenges.
Preparedness is intricately linked to resilience and involves the ability to function as a community and organisation, especially during crises and catastrophes. It includes leadership arrangements, operational adjustments based on situational awareness, and specific measures needed during high-stress scenarios. While preparedness builds on previous skills and competencies, it also stands as an independent area of our everyday safety and resilience. Contingency planning and organisational preparedness are primarily the responsibility of top management and key personnel, but everyone should possess a basic understanding and readiness.
This concludes part 2 of 3. Please continue to part 3 here.
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About the Author
Reima Kallinen is the Safety Officer at Häme University of Applied Sciences. He is part of HAMK Human Resource Services Team and holds an MBA in Safety and Security Management.