Safety Culture Ladder level 5: generative
Level 5 is the highest level on the Safety Culture Ladder: in daily practice, safety gets the same priority as time, money and quality, and it is a natural part of every layer and process in the organisation. NEN describes it as “attention to safety is self-evident in all business processes”. It is the top of the five levels of the Safety Culture Ladder.
You can only reach level 5 with the SCL Original product, where your organisation is audited in full every year. ProRail does not require level 5 as a minimum, but does name it as an ambition level with an advantage in tenders. Below, you can read what level 5 involves and how it differs from level 4.
Characteristics of Safety Culture Ladder level 5
The description of the levels from NEN describes level 5 as follows:
| Characteristic (NEN) | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Safety gets the same priority and attention as money, time and quality | No trade-off of “safe or on time”: both belong to a good project |
| A strong focus on continuous improvement and learning from desired and undesired events | Also learning from what went well, not only from mistakes |
| Adaptability and situational action | People act well in situations for which there is no rule |
| Part of all layers and processes, from planning and design to execution, monitoring and learning | Safety is already weighed in the quote and the design |
| No distinction between line managers and employees when it comes to safety | A trainee may stop the director |
| Management knows what is going on, because employees feel completely safe sharing it | Bad news reaches the top quickly |
The difference from level 4 is subtle but fundamental. At level 4, everyone is safety-conscious and works actively on improvement. At level 5, safety is no longer a separate programme: it is how the company works, in every process.
What does a level 5 company sound like?
| Who | Statement | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Director | ”We let that job go, because the schedule could not be carried out safely.” | Safety weighs in commercial decisions |
| Work planner | ”In the design we placed the installation at ground level, so nobody needs to go on the roof for maintenance.” | Safety starts in design and planning |
| Buyer | ”We choose suppliers based on how they handle safety, not only on price.” | Safety is part of procurement |
| Fitter | ”If I see something that can be better, I adjust it together with the crew and let people know.” | Ownership and adaptability |
| Trainee | ”Yesterday I asked the director to put his glasses on. He thanked me.” | No hierarchy when it comes to safety |
Can you reach level 5? Only with SCL Original
This is a frequently asked question, and the answer has changed. According to NEN, under SCL 2.0:
| Product | Highest achievable level | Audit |
|---|---|---|
| SCL Light | Level 3 (statement) | 40% audit in year 1, then review of behaviour goals |
| SCL | Level 4 (certificate) | 100% audit in year 1, then 40% per year |
| SCL Original | All levels, so also level 5 (certificate) | 100% of the organisation, every year |
NEN states on its product page: “Through SCL Original you can obtain Level 5.” Older sources, including those on this site, assumed that certification went up to and including level 4. For the current situation, always check the NEN product page for SCL .
You can check whether a company in your sector holds level 5 in the SCL certificate register . It lists all registered certificates with their level.
Level 5 is a high bar. NEN describes it as an organisation where this attitude is “completely self-evident”, at all levels. Use level 5 as a direction, and honestly check whether you have level 4 firmly in place first.
What does the auditor look for at level 5?
With SCL Original, two auditors come every year. They interview people at all levels and observe at the office and on project sites. For level 5, they look for evidence that safety is part of every business process, not only of the shop floor. Read more about the way of working on the audit process.
| Business process | What the auditor wants to see at level 5 |
|---|---|
| Strategy and board | Safety demonstrably weighs in on major decisions, even when it costs money or time |
| Design and work preparation | Risks are removed in the design, not only controlled on the building site |
| Procurement and partners | Suppliers and subcontractors are chosen and guided on safety culture |
| Execution | Employees adapt safely to unexpected situations, without waiting for a rule |
| Learning | The company also learns from what went well and shares lessons across the chain |
| Reporting | Bad news reaches management quickly and without fear |
Who asks for Safety Culture Ladder level 5?
Level 5 is not a minimum requirement at the large clients. ProRail names levels 4 and 5 as ambition levels for recognised rail contractors and engineering firms, with an advantage in tenders. As evidence for level 5, ProRail requires an SCL Original certificate.
Within ViA, level 3 is the minimum. Clients can reward higher levels in their award criteria. So read the tender documents carefully: a higher level can make your bid stronger.
From level 4 to level 5
At level 4, you have a strong safety culture on the shop floor. For level 5, you extend it to all business processes. These are the shifts:
| From (level 4) | To (level 5) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Safety is a shared responsibility on the shop floor | Safety is part of every process, including sales and procurement | A safety check in the go/no-go decision for every quote |
| Learning from incidents | Also learning from what goes well | After a successful complex project, a learning session: why did it go well? |
| Line managers ask for feedback | No more distinction between management and employees | Employees lead the safety meetings themselves |
| Involving partners | Improving together with the chain | Joint learning sessions with the client and subcontractors |
| Following the rules well | Acting well where the rules end | Training in situational action in unexpected circumstances |
Misconceptions about Safety Culture Ladder level 5
| Misconception | How it works |
|---|---|
| ”Level 5 means zero accidents.” | The level is about culture and behaviour, not an accident figure. Things can still go wrong at level 5; the difference lies in how you learn from them. |
| ”Once you have level 5, you are finished.” | NEN stresses continuous improvement. The certificate is valid for three years, with a full audit every year. |
| ”Level 5 is only for large companies.” | SCL Original is available from 5 employees. Size is not a requirement, but behaviour in all processes is. |
| ”A strong system delivers level 5.” | Systems belong to level 3. Levels 4 and 5 are about attitude and behaviour. Read more on behaviour and culture. |
Frequently asked questions about Safety Culture Ladder level 5
What is the difference between level 4 and level 5?
At level 4, everyone is safety-conscious and works proactively on improvement. At level 5, safety is as self-evident as time, money and quality, in all processes and layers, with no distinction between management and employees.
Can a small company reach level 5?
SCL Original is available from 5 employees. In a small company, the lines of communication are short, which can help. The requirement stays the same: the auditor must see the behaviour in all processes.
What does level 5 cost?
SCL Original is the most expensive product, because you have a full audit every year. Indications are on costs and timeline.
Does level 5 count for ViA?
Yes. ViA requires at least level 3, so with level 5 you comfortably meet the requirement. Clients can also reward a higher level in their award criteria.
Can I go straight from level 3 to level 5?
The auditor determines which level you are at; you do not choose it yourself. In practice, level 5 first requires a strong proactive culture like the one at level 4.
More about the Safety Culture Ladder
- The 5 levels: overview of all levels
- Safety Culture Ladder level 4: the proactive level
- Certification routes: SCL Original, SCL and SCL Light
- Description of the SCL levels (NEN) : the official text