The relationship between culture and safety on offshore supply vessels

The paper examines the relationship between culture and safety on offshore supply vessels in the Norwegian petroleum industry, relying on both qualitative and quantitative data. The analysis makes a general description of cultural traits of the vessels studied, epitomized through the notion of ‘good seamanship’, and discusses the way these traits influence on safety. The results show a great deal of friction between aspects of culture and aspects of structure. In particular, there appear to be incompatibilities between the occupational culture on the vessels and the rule-based safety management approaches of the petroleum industry. Also, the results highlight the role of inter-group asymmetries in power and status in the definition of what constitutes safe working conditions. Finally, whether culture can (and should) be changed is discussed.