Fostering a culture of safety: embracing competence, continuous learning, and multicultural insights

In this episode, Matt Cox, the deputy QHSC director for Veolia in the UAE, discusses his inspiring journey in the safety industry and the factors that motivated him to pursue a career in safety.

Matt emphasizes the importance of considering the human condition in safety, treating everyone as human beings regardless of their position or hierarchy. He highlights that the primary goal of health, safety, and environmental protection is to preserve life and prevent injuries and illnesses.

We then hear about major challenges faced in implementing safety measures, particularly in regions with a multicultural workforce. Matt shares stories that highlight the cultural differences, language barriers, and varying risk perceptions that can affect safety practices in the workplace.

Matt also discusses the evolution of safety professionalism in the region, from a lack of inbuilt competence to the standardization of qualifications and the focus on overall competence.

He emphasizes the need for open reporting, treating failures as learning opportunities, and the importance of management credibility in promoting a strong safety culture.

Never forget that you're interacting with humans. Never assume that just because you're long serving, you know better than other people. You never ever stop learning.

The conversation touches on best practices in the field, including adopting a competency-based recruitment model, leveraging tools and technologies like virtual reality for upskilling, and promoting collaborative communication and teamwork.

In conclusion, Matt expresses his desire to see honesty and transparency become the norm in safety practices, and emphasizes the importance of never stopping learning and asking questions in the pursuit of safety excellence.