Safety culture has been used like a buzzword in the U.S. this year. From the battery system issues of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner to the deadly listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head, it’s clear that safety is a critical topic that deserves our attention.
According to Eunice Arcilla Caburao, a spokesperson for SafetyCulture, “Safety culture is defined as the collective beliefs, perceptions, and values that members of an organization share regarding safety. It also includes the practices that arise from those attitudes, such as enhancing spatial awareness to proactively mitigate risks.”
A strong safety culture is crucial for preventing accidents, ensuring employee well-being, maintaining regulatory compliance and protecting an organization's reputation.
During the Boeing Senate hearings, Congress raised serious concerns about the company's safety culture following the 737 MAX crashes.
Senators stressed the need for accountability in Boeing’s leadership, insisting that the leadership should “stop thinking about the next earning call and start thinking about the next generation,” according to Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). They questioned whether FAA oversight was adequate and highlighted the necessity of protecting whistleblowers, noting instances where employees felt pressured to prioritize production over safety.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) said Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun’s “priorities (were) misplaced” and it is time for the company to “get back to making quality planes.”
Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) said Boeing has “not only failed to uphold the highest safety standards, it appears that Boeing has fostered a culture that censors people who try to speak up and help.” Ultimately, the Senate committee recognized the urgent need for reform to foster a robust safety culture within the company.
Now, Boar’s Head, a supplier of deli meats, cheeses and condiments, is facing both criminal and civil charges because of a deadly listeria outbreak. 59 people have been hospitalized, and 10 are known to have died so far, according to the CDC. The controversy surrounding Boar's Head is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting these principles.
According to The Washington Post, “Filthy work areas, aging equipment and haphazard cleaning at the Jarratt plant may have made some of its products microbial time bombs waiting to explode.” This situation reflects a failure to prioritize safety, resulting in inadequate controls that allowed Listeria monocytogenes to thrive.
Having a poor safety culture has lasting effects on working-class Americans. For example, Sam Salehpour, a former Boeing quality engineer, “was ignored and faced retaliation, including threats of physical violence from a supervisor” when he expressed concerns regarding “shortcuts” Boeing took to ensure production targets were met, according to The Washington Post.
Additionally, despite wanting to work for five more years, Ed Pierson, a Boeing whistle-blower, retired early due to worries surrounding the company's leadership and concerns “that Boeing was sending unsafe planes out the door.”
Boar's Head’s poor safety culture is further affecting the small town of Jarratt, Virginia. The plant, often referred to as the “economic heart of the community,” has created unease among residents following reports linking it to 10 deaths from listeria infection, according to Alexander Stith, a resident of Jarratt.
The temporary closure of the facility has already led to economic decline, affecting local businesses that relied on the plant's workforce. With good-paying jobs hard to come by, residents fear the loss of this crucial employer will have lasting consequences for their community. The situation underscores how a lack of emphasis on safety can ripple through a community, jeopardizing livelihoods and public health.
The Boar's Head incident illustrates how a poor safety culture can lead to significant health risks for consumers and severe legal repercussions for companies, much like the issues faced by Boeing following the 737 MAX crashes. Both cases highlight the critical need for organizations to prioritize safety over production pressures.
Fostering a strong safety culture is essential for companies to mitigate risks, ensure compliance, and protect their reputation. This is especially true in the food industry, where it upholds product integrity and public health through hygiene standards, effective training, and consistent monitoring to prevent foodborne illnesses and maintain consumer trust.
It’s time for corporate America to step up and take the leap toward prioritizing safety culture in every aspect of their operations. By committing to transparent practices, rigorous training, and proactive risk management, companies can protect their employees and customers while fostering trust and accountability.
Abby Waechter is a junior studying strategic communications at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Have something to say? Email her at aw087421@ohio.edu or tweet her @AbbyWaechter.
