5 April 2024

Safety Culture Ladder scheme revised

This page was updated on 18-09-2024.

The Safety Culture Ladder (SCL) is being increasingly utilized by organizations as a tool to measure and promote safety awareness. The SCL originated in the Dutch railway sector but is now being internationally employed by a wide range of organizations. This broader application prompted a revision of the SCL handbook and certification scheme, resulting in the introduction of Safety Culture Ladder 2.0, which has been in effect since the beginning of this year.

What are the changes?

Safety Culture Ladder 2.0 will replace the current version in the coming years. Changes include:

  • The assessment of organizational culture is now based on five themes instead of the previous six;
  • The description of these themes is more focused on organizational culture;
  • A description of Level 1 has been added to ensure a logical progression of descriptions;
  • The weighting method has been adjusted (partly conditional, partly associated behavior);
  • Reporting requirements have been revised, with reports no longer being traceable to individuals.

Structure and content of the certification scheme

In the previous version there were six themes, whereas in SCL 2.0, there are now five:

  • Theme 1: Policy and leadership;
  • Theme 2: Knowledge and skills;
  • Theme 3: Primary and secondary processes;
  • Theme 4: Collaboration with external parties;
  • Theme 5: Learning and improvement.

Transition period

SCL 2.0 has been in effect since 1 January 2024. From 1 January 2025, (re)certification is only possible according to SCL 2.0. However, follow-up audits may still be based on the old version. From 1 January 2028, all valid certificates must be based on SCL 2.0.

What does SCL 2.0 mean for the ASA and SAQ?

With the Approved Self Assessment (ASA), you conduct a mandatory self-assessment without receiving an indication of the level. The Self Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is part of the ASA and provides insight into the safety culture within your organization. This questionnaire translates the answers into a total score within the maturity model of the SCL.

An SAQ can be used by an organization for:

  • a baseline measurement, for example, to create a development or improvement plan;
  • a general self-evaluation;
  • as part of an audit procedure.

With the introduction of SCL 2.0 in December 2023, a new questionnaire has been introduced to support this updated version of the standard. The questionnaire consists of 20 questions, with each sub-theme having a question for both management and operational staff. For operational staff, the question is written at a B1 language level. Unlike the SAQ Compact, the SAQ 2.0 includes a question for both target groups for each sub-theme.

The SAQ Compact (2016) and SAQ Extended (2016) will remain available as long as certification under SCL 1.0 is still possible.

Requirement for Trede 3 under ViA as of July 1, 2026

The tightening of the ViA requirement from Trede 2 to Trede 3 has been postponed from January 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026. This decision has been made with care, as it is important to continue growing and progressing. However, due to the lack of a suitable alternative for the lightest proof method, the Approved Self Assessment (ASA), the proportionality of ViA would be compromised by imposing stricter requirements.

Efforts are underway to find an appropriate alternative as the lightest proof method for ViA. The goal is to develop a proof method with a balanced audit burden that can demonstrate compliance with Trede 3.

For more information, visit the GCVB website (Dutch).

More information

For more information about Safety Culture Ladder 2.0, please visit the SCL product page or contact us!