Assessing Health, Safety, and Environmental Culture in One of Iran’s Gas Companies Using the HSE Culture Ladder Model

Abstract

Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) culture has emerged as a critical organizational asset within the subsidiaries of the Ministry of Petroleum, underpinning efforts to safeguard human capital and ensure sustainable operations. This study aims to systematically assess and strengthen the HSE culture of a selected organization by applying the HSE Culture Ladder framework, identifying areas for improvement, and guiding strategic interventions to enhance the organization's HSE culture. Employing a cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical, and applied methodology, the research targeted both permanent and contract employees across operational and administrative divisions. The customized assessment tool was developed following a comprehensive literature review and consultations with academic and statistical experts, based on the validated structure of the HSE Culture Ladder. This model conceptualizes safety culture as a five-tier continuum, ranging from pathological to generative, with each level representing distinct organizational mindsets and behaviors toward risk and safety. Based on the results of the internal assessment, the organization is currently situated at the calculative level, characterized by a compliance-driven, procedure-oriented approach to HSE. However, with the implementation of targeted improvement strategies and the adoption of recommended best practices, the organization demonstrates clear potential to progress to the proactive level and eventually achieve a generative culture. A noteworthy inverse correlation was observed between the organization's composite HSE culture score and managerial assertions regarding the prioritization of safety, highlighting a perceptual gap that warrants attention. These findings underscore the need to cultivate a more deeply embedded safety mindset at all organizational levels. Promoting a dynamic and resilient HSE culture among both employees and leadership will be instrumental in advancing the organization's alignment with international safety standards and fostering a proactive approach to risk management.