Unit 3 Assignment

Guidance on Developing
your Assignment:
 “The Big Picture”
1. Find out that you have a Safety
Culture in need of improvement

2. Decide on ways to improve the Culture

3. Present a business case asking for

money to implement your ideas
 Essential Information

• The marking Criteria is found in the Awarding body’s

official guidance document

• The report must follow the order of the marking

criteria.

• Section headers must be the same as the titles for

each section of the marking criteria.
 Unit 3 Marking Criteria
Report
5-6 3-4 1-2 0
Section
Report of Observed and Observed and Indicators reported; No comprehensible
underlying indicators underlying indicators some confusion report of indicators.
indicators fully and clearly adequately reported. of observed and
reported. Primary and Primary and underlying.
Assessment of existing culture

secondary sources. secondary sources.

Report of Fully appropriate Suitable methodology Methodology not Survey completely

methodology. Clear, with report and some fully appropriate or inadequate or
methodology thorough report, with evaluation. survey not clearly missing.
and evaluation and described or
conduct of application. omissions in
evaluation.
survey
Report of Robust presentation Report of findings Report of findings Totally unclear or
of findings of survey, reasonably clear, with may lack clarity; some fails completely to
findings with analysis and analysis and some interpretation but convey findings of
with reference to reference to reference to survey.
interpretation limitations of limitations of limitations missing or
interpretation. interpretation. unclear.
Conclusion Conclusion based on Reasonable Conclusion unclear No clear conclusion at
a thorough analysis of conclusion but or unsupported by all.
findings. Clear, logical evidence or clarity evidence.
and in a suitable may be lacking.
format.
 Unit 3 Marking Criteria

Report Section 5-6 3-4 1-2 0

Aims and Clear and Appropriate; may Unclear or Not stated in any
appropriate. lack clarity or be inappropriate. coherent manner.
Objectives of incomplete.
Strategy for improving the culture

strategy

Proposals for Clearly identified Identified and Unclear or Not identified or

and fully appropriate. inappropriate. wholly
action appropriate to inappropriate.
existing culture.

Implementation Realistic Timescales and Responsibilities Unclear,

timescales, all responsibilities unclear or unreasonable or
plan responsibilities identified. timescales missing.
identified. unrealistic.

Methodology Appropriate, Appropriate and Not fully Inadequate or

practical and clearly practical. appropriate or totally
for monitoring described. practical. inappropriate.
success
 Unit 3 Marking Criteria
Report
5-6 3-4 1-2 0
Section
Requirement Clearly described Adequately stated May lack clarity or Inappropriate or
for and fully and appropriate. not be fully totally unclear.
appropriate. appropriate.
resources

Cost-benefit Full range of Range of costs and Not completely Irrelevant,

analysis financial and non- benefits described sound; description unsuitable or
financial costs and and presented. or presentation not missing.
Business Case

benefits described fully adequate.

and clearly
presented.
Reference to Appropriate, Mostly appropriate Some references Inaccurate,
legislation accurate and clear. and clear. may be inappropriate or
inappropriate or missing.
inaccurate.

Case Logical and Reasonably logical Unconvincing or Flawed or missing.

persuasive. and persuasive. poorly presented.
 Report Structure

Cover Sheet Arial Font size 11

Contents Page 1.5 line spacing
1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction
3. Assessment of Existing Culture (4 sub-sections)
4. Strategy for improving the Culture (4 sub-sections)
5. Business Case (4 sub-sections)
6. Bibliography
Appendices
 Cover Sheet

• Name and page

numbers in footer

• Give a good first

impression
 Report Structure

Cover Sheet 
Contents Page
 page
Part 1 - Executive summary 5

Part 2 - Introduction 6 Contents

Part 3 - Assessment of the Health and Safety Culture
3.1 - Report of indicators 7
3.2 - Report of methodology and conduct of survey 10
3.3 - Report of findings with interpretation 13
3.4 - Conclusion 20

Part 4 - Strategy for Improving the Health and Safety Culture Note: section
4.1 - Aims and objectives of strategy 22
4.2 - Proposals for action 24
headers are the
4.3 - Implementation plan 26 same as titles on
4.4 - Methodology for monitoring success 35
marking criteria
Part 5 - Business Case
5.5 - Requirements for resources 36
5.6 - Cost-benefit analysis 38
5.7 - Reference to legislation 44
5.8 - Case 46

Part 6 - Bibliography 47
 Report Structure

Cover Sheet 
Contents Page 
1. Executive Summary
 Executive Summary

• Summarises the whole report so must be

written last.

• We’ll return to this later.....

 Report Structure

Cover Sheet 
Contents Page 
1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction
 Introduction

• ½ page – 1 page Max

• Brief Introduction to your organisation
• Brief outline of scope of assignment

• Do not give too much distracting background

information

• No marks available for the introduction

 Report Structure

Cover Sheet 
Contents Page 
1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction 
3. Assessment of Existing Culture (4 sub-
sections)
 Assessment of Existing Culture
Report of Indicators

• Start with a brief introductory paragraph

• Then 4 sub-headers needed in this section
– Positive Observed Indicators
– Negative Observed Indicators
– Positive Underlying Indicators
– Negative Underlying Indicators

• 6 marks available
 Observable Indicators

Positive Observed Indicators - Examples

• Correct use of personal protective equipment
• Well maintained machinery
• Clean and tidy workplace
• Correct and well maintained signage

Negative Observed Indicators - Examples

• Not wearing personal protective equipment as required
• Poorly maintained machinery
• Unclean and untidy workplace
• Poorly maintained or no signage
 Underlying Indicators

Positive Underlying Indicators - Examples

• Low staff turnover
• Low sickness absence rates
• Low accident rates
• No enforcement action and low claims history

Negative Underlying Indicators - Examples

• Absence of training and/or training records
• High accident rates
• No risk assessment programme in place
• High staff turnover
 Assessment of Existing Culture
Report of methodology and conduct of
survey

• Relates to your Climate survey

– Methodology of how it was developed and how it
works (In detail)
– Evaluation of how well the survey worked and
what could have been done better

• Start with a brief introductory paragraph

• 6 marks available
 Assessment of Existing Culture
Report of findings with interpretation

• Decide which statements you will present (maybe

all?)
• Present the findings clearly (simple graphs are good)
• Provide some analysis
– What do you think the findings are telling you?
– Why might they have said what they did?

• Start with a brief introductory paragraph

• 6 marks available
 Example Presentation of Findings

Statement 4: I am aware of specific Statement 8: The organisation takes

measures in place to reduce accidents active measures to reduce accidents
and ill health within our organisation and ill health within the organisation

strongly agree
3 2 4 strongly agree
5

agree agree
8
12
neither or no 11 neither or no
opinion opinion
13
disagree disagree

11 strongly disagree strongly disagree

11
 Assessment of Existing Culture
Conclusion

• Refer to evidence from your indicators and your

climate survey
• Draw a clear conclusion about the type of culture
you have
• Try to show that the culture is in need of
improvement
• 6 marks available
 Report Structure

Cover Sheet 
Contents Page 
1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction 
3. Assessment of Existing Culture (4 sub-sections) 
4. Strategy for improving the Culture (4 sub-sections)
 Strategy for Improving the Culture
Aims and Objectives of Strategy

• State one clear aim (“to improve the safety culture”)

• State your main objectives which will help to meet
the aim
• Objectives must address your negative findings
• Objectives to be specific and measurable

• 6 Objectives would be enough

• 6 marks available
 Examples of Objectives

• To improve the condition of machinery and work

equipment
• To ensure all staff are competent to perform their
tasks
• To improve communication and consultation
• To improve standards of housekeeping in the
workplace
 Strategy for Improving the Culture
Proposals for Action

• Discuss what proposed actions are needed to

implement your objectives
• Tangible proposals only
• Link your proposals to your objectives
• 2-3 proposals per objective will be sufficient

• Start with a brief introductory paragraph

• 6 marks available
 Examples of “Proposal for Action”

• Objective 1 – e.g.Improve staff competency.....

– Proposal 1 – to carry out a training needs analysis to
identify skills gaps and carry out training as required
– Give lots of details

• Objective 2 – e.g.Improve consultation and Communication

– Proposal 3 – to establish a H&S comittee and regular
meetings
– Proposal 4 – develop a monthly newsletter and introduce
a H&S notice board
 Strategy for Improving the Culture
Implementation Plan

• Time-tabled action plan (what , when by whom?)

• Give full detail of all steps needed for each proposal
• Supported by some free written text discussing the
implementation

• Start with a brief introductory paragraph

• 6 marks available
 Strategy for Improving the Culture
Methodology for Monitoring Success
• Discuss the techniques you will use to show whether
your strategy has worked.
– Reactive techniques
– Active techniques

– Another climate survey?

– How will you tell whether your negative indicators
have been fixed?

• Start with a brief introductory paragraph

• 6 marks available
 Monitoring Strategies
• Active techniques – Examples
– Workplace Inspections
– Audits
– Safety Tours
– Measure against Targets

• Reactive techniques – Examples

– Accidents and Incidents
– Property Damage
– Lost time / Sickness Absence
– Things that have gone wrong
 Report Structure

Cover Sheet 
Contents Page 
1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction 
3. Assessment of Existing Culture (4 sub-sections) 
4. 
Strategy for improving the Culture (4 sub-sections)
5. Business Case (4 sub-sections)
 Business Case
Requirements for Resources

• Discuss the resources you will need to implement

your proposals
• Link your resources to your proposals
• Discuss different types of resources:
– Time / Equipment / machinery / venues /
materials
• Every resource discussed must carry a cost

• Start with a brief introductory paragraph

• 6 marks available
 Examples of “Resources”

• Proposal 1 – Training initiatives

• Resources will include:
– Off the shelf training package or development
time
– Venue and equipment for training course
– Time for attendees
– Training course materials
– Cost of trainer
 Business Case
Cost-Benefit Analysis

• Present the following:

1 Costs for each of your resources (itemised with a
grand total)
2 Financial savings (cost benefits) from your strategy
(explain / justify all assumptions of cost savings)
3 Financial costs to company if actions not taken
4 Non-financial benefits (difficult to cost)
• Company image / reputation / improved morale

• 6 marks available
 Business Case
Reference to Legislation

• Outline the main legislation that applies to your

workplace
• Discuss specific breaches relating to your negative
indicators
• Give full details but DO NOT COPY AND PASTE
regulations.

• Start with a brief introductory paragraph

• 6 marks available
 Business Case
Case

• Discuss some good reasons for spending the money

• Persuade your financial director that supporting your

strategy is a good business decision

• Discuss personal and organisational liability if the

strategy is not adopted

• 6 marks available
 Report Structure

Cover Sheet 
Contents Page 
1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction 
3. Assessment of Existing Culture (4 sub-sections) 
4. 
Strategy for improving the Culture (4 sub-sections)
5. Business Case (4 sub-sections)
 Executive Summary
• Summarise the whole report on one page max
– Outline what you did
– Outline what you found
– Outline what you propose to do about it
– Outline the costs and benefits

• Must be written last.

• 6 Marks available
 Report Structure

Cover Sheet 
Contents Page 
1. Executive Summary 
2. Introduction 
3. Assessment of Existing Culture (4 sub-sections) 
4. 
Strategy for improving the Culture (4 sub-sections)
5. Business Case (4 sub-sections)
6. Bibliography
 Bibliography

• A wide range needed

• Cross referencing to the text is required
– Harvard (e.g. Vale, 2010)
– Vancouver Superscript (e.g. ...Vale 1 suggests that....)
• Must give Title, Author, date of publication, page
numbers
• For websites – must also give full URL and date accessed

• 3 marks available
 Report Structure

Cover Sheet 
Contents Page 
1. Executive Summary 
2. Introduction 
3. Assessment of Existing Culture (4 sub-sections) 
4. 
Strategy for improving the Culture (4 sub-sections)
5. Business Case (4 sub-sections)
6. Bibliography

Appendices
 Appendices

• Only provide relevant documents that support

your report (no background information)

• If you need the examiner to refer to an

appendix for data, state it clearly in the text

• No marks available
 Assignment Complete!

Cover Sheet 
Contents Page 
1. Executive Summary 
2. Introduction 
3. Assessment of Existing Culture (4 sub-sections)
4. 
Strategy for improving the Culture (4 sub-sections)
5. Business Case (4 sub-sections)
6. Bibliography 
7. Appendices 
 Pre-Submission Review

• Download the checklist from the learner

resource area....and use it!
• Only 1 Review before submission
• E mail to:
• learnersupport@britsafe.org
• Assignment must be accompanied by the
checklist