6 Key Insights from HSE Leaders: How to Drive Safety Culture

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Whilst attending the EHS Congress in Berlin last May, we were provided with a unique opportunity to speak to several HSE leaders across various industries. Through these discussions, common themes emerged around safety leadership, the integration of new technologies, and the evolving role of mental health in the workplace. We gathered together the key takeaways from these interviews, focusing on these recurring themes and insightful advice for those in the HSE industry and are here to share them with you.

Let’s take a look!

1. Safety as a core value, not a competition

One of the most discussed topics was the idea that safety transcends competition. While business functions often compete on performance and efficiency, several HSE leaders emphasized that safety should be approached collaboratively across industries.

• Mustafa Elsawalhy (L’Oreal) highlighted the need to shift from focusing solely on safety metrics to prioritizing doing things safely. The competition should be focusing on safety, and efficiency will naturally follow.

• Al Hocking (ERM) echoed a similar sentiment, stating that while initial thoughts might suggest companies do compete on safety, the ultimate goal is to prevent harm—whether physical or mental. He emphasized the importance of learning from others to continuously improve.

2. The role of leadership in fostering a safety culture

A prominent theme in the interviews was the importance of leadership in embedding safety into organizational culture.

• Peter Valachy (Haleon) stressed that an effective HSE leader must act as a role model and maintain openness and trust. Psychological safety in the workplace is paramount for maintaining good mental health, he added, which ties directly back to leadership’s role in cultivating trust.

• Kostas Sagias (Carlsberg) also discussed the transition of safety from being viewed as a compliance issue to becoming a desired organizational state, driven by strong leadership and aligned with long-term business sustainability.

3. Education and mentorship: pillars of a successful HSE career

Many of the leaders offered advice for young professionals entering the HSE space, emphasizing continuous learning and the value of mentorship.

• Jose Yanes (Essity) recommended leveraging digital tools and integrating HSE more closely into strategic business decisions, emphasizing the importance of constantly evolving through learning.

• Al Hocking (ERM) and John Pares (Freelance) both emphasized curiosity, suggesting that new professionals should invest in getting to know people at all levels of the business and find mentors who can guide their careers. There is an intrinsic value in understanding different perspectives and fostering a habit of learning. By being genuinely interested in their team's insights and experiences, leaders can make more informed decisions and promote a more collaborative work environment.

In summary, leadership is more than just having the answers to everything; it’s knowing how to talk, listen, and involve the people who have the ground knowledge. It’s leading by example, being able to genuinely show interest, an appetite for continuous learning, and building an environment that will empower their people to take action, to speak up, and feel confident.

4. Mental health as an evolving priority

The conversation around mental health emerged as a critical issue across industries. Leaders emphasized the need for organizations to take proactive steps in understanding and supporting the mental health of their employees.

• Peter Valachy (Haleon) highlighted psychological safety as key to maintaining staff retention and overall workplace safety. Trust in leadership, he argued, is central to fostering this environment.

• John Pares (Freelance) shared a personal story about how poor mental health had contributed to a serious accident, reinforcing the need for companies to address employee wellbeing beyond just checking in superficially. In particular, training managers to detect and address underlying issues is essential for creating a healthy workplace.

5. Technology and the future of HSE

Several interviewees noted the increasing role that digital tools and emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, play in enhancing safety outcomes.

• Jose Angel Yanes (Essity) discussed the integration of data analysis tools to better inform safety decisions, while Marco Barsanti (Uniper) emphasized the importance of using technology to engage younger, digitally native generations.

It's one thing to have safety protocols on paper, but what's crucial is ensuring these guidelines are well understood and followed. Technology has been critical in helping bring training to a new level of engagement and efficacy. By simulating real-world scenarios, employees get to practice and refine their responses, which helps reinforce their knowledge and skills. This hands-on approach leads to better preparedness and adherence to safety protocols.

6. Safety leadership: inspiring action and building trust

Effective safety leadership was a recurring topic, with leaders stressing the importance of trust, integrity, and leading by example.

• Claus Rose (GE Vernova) highlighted the importance of understanding business metrics, such as cash flow and shareholder value, when communicating the importance of safety initiatives. His key message: speak the language of the business to drive meaningful change.

• Davide Scotti (Saipem) took this further, advocating for leaders to understand human performance and the psychological aspects that impact safety. He noted the challenge of simplifying complex concepts for the workforce and emphasized the need for leaders to model behaviors that foster a trusting and open culture.

The key takeaways on effective HSE leadership

The HSE field is always evolving, which means leaders need to keep learning and improving. Staying updated with the latest regulations, technological advancements, and best practices is crucial. By adopting a mindset of continuous improvement, leaders can maintain high safety standards and be prepared for new challenges. Learning from events like the EHS Congress and using innovative training solutions like those from Pixaera can help leaders and their organizations achieve excellence in safety management.

The conversations held at the EHS Congress demonstrated the collective commitment to improving safety across industries, with an emphasis on collaboration, leadership, and continuous learning. As the role of mental health and technology continues to evolve, the insights from these industry leaders provide a clear path forward. Building strong safety cultures that go beyond compliance to create environments where employees feel psychologically safe, valued, and supported.

These takeaways offer valuable lessons for anyone in the HSE space, from seasoned professionals to newcomers, as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of safety and health in the workplace.