The Safety Culture Ladder in the construction industry

Jan 17, 2025

A step closer to improved safety and success

The construction industry is known for its challenging and high-risk working environments. So, safeguarding safety is a top priority throughout the industry. The Safety Culture Ladder is a strong tool that can help the industry in this respect. But what exactly is the Safety Culture Ladder and how can it contribute to safer construction sites? In this blog, we dive deeper into this important subject.

What is the Safety Culture Ladder?

The Safety Culture Ladder is an assessment method that enables organisations to gain a clearer picture of their safety culture and improve it. The ladder consists of five steps. Each one represents a higher level of safety awareness and behaviour in an organisation. The ladder’s aim is to encourage companies to continually work to improve their safety standards.

Is the Safety Culture Ladder mandatory?

Since 1 January 2022, step 2 of the Safety Culture Ladder has been mandatory for any company in the construction industry that has signed the Safety in Construction Governance Code. This is a logical development because of the major safety risks in the construction industry. However, the ladder has been designed to make it possible for any organisation to use. Any organisation can get serious about safety with a Safety Culture Ladder audit.

At the moment, it is not mandatory for any company to comply with step 3 of the Safety Culture Ladder. However, on 1 July 2026 this will change for companies that have signed the Safety in Construction Governance Code. These companies, which participate in tenders in the construction industry, will then be required to demonstrate their compliance with step 3 of the Safety Culture Ladder. It will not be mandatory for other companies to comply with step 3 or any of the other steps of the Safety Culture Ladder. DEKRA is always pleased to help companies gain certification against step 3 of the Safety Culture Ladder.

The role of the Safety Culture Ladder in the construction industry

Because employees in the construction industry are exposed to various risks on a daily basis, e.g. fall hazards, heavy machinery and hazardous substances, a strong safety culture is essential. The Safety Culture Ladder helps construction companies evaluate and improve their safety policy and practices.

Advantages for construction companies

DEKRA Expertise

DEKRA acts as an independent and objective certification body in the field of the safety ladder. We support you through audits and certifications, with which you demonstrate that you meet the requirements of a specific step of the safety ladder.

DEKRA gives you insight into your current safety culture by assessing it transparently and reliably. This not only helps you to meet the set standards, but also to make your commitment to safety visible to clients and other stakeholders.

Are you ready to climb the steps of the safety ladder in construction?

Are you curious about how your organization can be audited or how you can obtain certification for a specific step of the safety ladder? Feel free to contact us for more information about our audit and certification services.

Where can you find more information about the Safety Culture Ladder at DEKRA?

DEKRA provides audits for companies to be certified against the Safety Culture Ladder. Learn more about the Safety Culture Ladder and how we can support you.

5 Results

Dec 19, 2023 Audit

Safety Culture Ladder step 4

What is the Safety Culture Ladder step 4? How does the certification for this work? And what are the requirements for this step? Find out in this blog.

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Oct 12, 2023 Audit

Safety Culture Ladder step 3

What does step 3 of the safety ladder entail? Is it mandatory to comply with step 3? And how can you get certified for this? Find out more about it here.

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Oct 11, 2023 Audit

Safety Culture Ladder step 2

Want to know more about the Safety Culture Ladder step 2? Read and discover more about the second step and how DEKRA can help you in certifying it here.