Rola specjalisty bhp w kształtowaniu psychospołecznych aspektów kultury bezpieczeństwa

Attempts undertaken to increase the security level in companies usually involve making changes in technics, organization and technology. The principal achievements can be noted in the development and operation modes of machinery and equipment; legal and administrative rules of functioning of organization are improved as well, mainly through implementing of corporate management systems. Meanwhile, a number of reports and statistical studies prove that the main barrier in reducing the number and severity of accidents, as well as other events potentially dangerous - is the so called human factor. Hence, it is necessary to remember that development of safety culture requires constant concentration on behavior of employees, organization of work, effective training and shaping safety-oriented attitudes. The article presents the basic issues related to psychosocial risks, identified in the work environment. Psychosocial risks are defined as important emerging risk factors. The approach preferred to reducing such risks appears to be building climate of security and attempts to determine the level of safety culture in the workplace. In the companies managed according to contemporary paradigms it is emphasized is that the development of safety culture in the company is an integral part of corporate management and shaping corporate image. Measurable effects of the high safety culture include decreasing accident rates, but also reduced rate of employee absenteeism and increased overall job satisfaction. The basis of the desired safety culture is the high value attributed to health and life. Formation of such a culture in a company requires developing new attitudes and values with the active participation of all the members of the group. The goal is to encourage employees to eliminate excessive risks in the workplace and to operate in health and life protection oriented manner. It requires commitment not only from the state but also from employers and employees. The issue is the more important as the more often a source of occupational risk is its psycho-social layer. Describing the problem of psychosocial occupational risks, the authors emphasize the role of occupational health and safety expert in the process of shaping safety culture. The goal of this article is to draw attention to the lack of preventive measures, which would be aimed at eliminating or reducing emerging risk factors. The paper presents the results of the research: those that relate to assessment of the level of safety culture and to evaluation of the operation of occupational health and safety experts in the area of psychosocial risk management.