Safety Culture Ladder (SCL) according to ViA and GCVB
The Safety Culture Ladder (SCL), also known as the Safety Ladder, is an assessment method you use to measure and improve safety awareness and behavior within your organization.
Within the construction industry, the SCL is increasingly mandatory. Through the measure Safety in Tendering (ViA), part of the Governance Code Safety in Construction (GCVB), ProRail, Rijksvastgoedbedrijf and Rijkswaterstaat, among others, ask for SCL certification in tenders.
Since Jan. 1, 2022, SCL has been a requirement in many tenders. Without certification, you run the risk of missing out on contracts.
Here's how a Safety Culture Ladder audit works
An SCL audit is different from a traditional document audit. It is not primarily about manuals or procedures, but about attitude, behavior and culture.
During the audit:
- Are interviews conducted with employees at all levels
- Look at leadership, exemplary behavior and commitment
- Assess safety in daily practice
- Collect qualitative data to form a complete picture
Based on this, your organization is graded on one of the five steps of the ladder.
The five steps of the Safety Culture Ladder
The Safety Culture Ladder has five levels of culture. Each level describes how mature your organization deals with safety.
For each step it is defined:
- Which requirements you must meet
- Which assessment criteria apply
- How the score is determined
- What auditors specifically look for
The more responsibility, reflection and investment your organization shows, the higher the score.
With an SCL certification:
- You structurally reduce the number of incidents
- Strengthen your safety behavior and awareness within your organization
- Increase employee involvement and ownership
- Gain a demonstrable advantage in tenders (ViA).
- Show that safety is part of your corporate culture
You invest not only in compliance, but in a sustainable safety culture.
Normec as partner for SCL certification
We have the expertise to certify your organization according to the Safety Culture Ladder. Our auditors understand the practice in the construction and installation sector and know what safety is really about.
We guide you through the process in a clear and structured way. Not a paper exercise, but a realistic assessment of your safety culture.
Want to know more about the Safety Culture Ladder?
Frequently asked questions about the Safety Culture Ladder
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The Safety Culture Ladder is a certification system that helps improve safety behavior and awareness. With certification, you demonstrate that safety is structurally embedded in your organization. This leads to fewer incidents and more trust from clients.
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Within many construction tenders, SCL certification is mandatory through the measure Safety in Tendering (ViA). Without certification, you can be excluded from being awarded.
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Certification provides insight into strengths and weaknesses within your safety culture. Involving employees at all levels creates greater ownership, cooperation and risk awareness.
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The process consists of an audit in which interviews are conducted and safety in practice is assessed. Based on this, your organization will be graded on one of the five steps.
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In some cases, a signed bid from a certifying body, including audit planning, is temporarily accepted. This depends on the contracting party.
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An SCL certificate is valid for three years, with periodic audits to check progress.