Academic leaders create strong safety cultures in colleges and universities

Leadership is the key to creating strong safety cultures and is one of the seven critical elements found in strong safety cultures. The safety vision of the president drives the direction and strength of the college or university's safety culture. Deans, provosts, and department chairs are essential in carrying out the steps to achieve the president's vision. Faculty and teaching assistants are the front-line leaders who teach students laboratory safety and develop students’ positive attitudes toward safety. These leaders influence the behavior of followers through personal example and by addressing other key elements of strong safety cultures.