Trust is one of the fundamental aspects contained in the British Health & Safety Executive’s ubiquitous definition of Safety Culture, which states “organizations with a positive Safety Culture are characterized by communications founded on mutual trust, by shared perceptions of the importance of safety, and by confidence in the efficacy of preventative measures”[i].
Trust is thought to be a gateway for open and frequent safety communication in organizations, and has also been ascribed a role in the success of safety initiatives[ii]. Evidence shows that trust in management is the strongest predictor of safety performance in industry, as it is thought to be a facilitator of effective safety leadership[iii].