Safety in our DNA: What the Safety Culture Ladder means for your project with INTOS

TheSafety Culture Ladder (formerly known as the Safety Ladder) is an independent assessment tool that measures safety awareness and conscious, safe behaviour within organisations. Whereas traditional systems focus on paperwork, the SCL focuses primarily on safety behaviour and culture. 

The ladder consists of five steps that reflect the maturity of a safety culture. The leap to Step 3 marks a crucial turning point for an organisation: 

• Stages 1 & 2 (Reactive): Safety is seen as a cost or an obligation. People only react once something has gone wrong. 

• Step 3 (Calculating & Committed): Safety rules are considered crucial. Management is actively involved, vulnerabilities are discussed openly, and the team takes proactive responsibility. 

• Steps 4 & 5 (Proactive & Forward-thinking): Safety is embedded in every aspect of the organisation and is constantly being improved. 

INTOS has made a deliberate investment to achieve Level 3. This is in line with our core values: we do not simply want to tick boxes; rather, we aim to embed social safety and physical protection as a structural part of the behaviour of all our employees, at every workplace and construction site. 

SCL versus VCA: The difference between system and culture 

In the construction and interior design sector, VCA (Health, Safety and Environment Checklist for Contractors) a well-known standard. Although VCA is indispensable, it offers only part of the solution. 

To provide an analytical understanding of this difference, we will compare the two systems: 

A team with flawless processes (VCA) but a weak safety culture will still make mistakes when under time pressure. A team with a strong safety culture (SCL) uses those same processes as tools and feels a collective responsibility to protect one another. 

What does this mean for your project? 

When you work with INTOS, this step on the SCL translates into four concrete, data-driven benefits for your project: 

1. A demonstrable reduction in the risk of incidents and downtime 

Safety is not something that simply happens to us; it is the result of our actions. At INTOS, we continuously monitor and encourage safe behaviour. Because staff feel confident in calling each other out on unsafe situations, we neutralise risks before they escalate. For the client, this means: lower failure costs, no unnecessary interruptions and reliable project planning. 

2. Unwavering reliability under pressure 

Complex projects, such as those in the healthcare, aviation or laboratory sectors, often involve unexpected twists and turns, shifting deadlines and numerous stakeholders. It is precisely during these chaotic moments that a strong safety culture proves its worth. At INTOS, we make no compromises on safety or quality when the pressure mounts. This guarantees a functional, meticulous and safe end result. 

3. Future-proof compliance and ESG value 

The requirements set out in tenders and regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, partly driven by the focus on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance). The well-being and safety of employees is a key component of the ‘S’ (Social) within these sustainability goals. SCL Level 3 provides clients with clear evidence that INTOS is ahead of the market and takes its social responsibility seriously. 

4. Long-lasting quality throughout the product’s service life 

Safety doesn’t end with handover. It’s about how we manufacture the furniture and how we assemble it. SCL Step 3 compels us to think systematically about the end-user’s safety. The result is an interior that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but can also be used safely and ergonomically for decades. 

How did INTOS achieve this? 

Achieving Level 3 is the result of a systematic approach and requires ongoing commitment on several fronts: 

1. Clear structure: Redefining roles, responsibilities and reporting lines so that safety is always a fixed item on the agenda. 

1. Targeted training: Training staff in intrinsic motivation; understanding itwhy understand that certain rules exist, rather than simply following them blindly. 

1. Continuous measurement: Collecting data not only on incidents that have occurred, but specifically onnear-misses (near misses), safety behaviour and workplace observations. 

1. Psychological safety: To create a culture in which everyone, from technicians to senior management, feels comfortable admitting mistakes and can proactively address one another. 

Would you like to discuss this? 

Are you about to embark on a complex construction or fit-out project and would you like to discuss how to systematically integrate risk management and safety into the supply chain? 

Take contact Join us. We are happy to share our analytical insights and work proactively with you to ensure the safe and sustainable delivery of your future project.