What is the connection between ISO certified systems, like 18001, and symbolic ‘paper systems’? Quite a bit, according to a 2017 study.
This study compared 18001 certified to non-certified companies on a range of factors.
I’m not summarising it since you can read the full report (link in comments).
Some key findings are in the attached images. In short they found:
· Certified companies performed better than non-certified companies – which is, of course, a positive finding
· However, certified companies had some considerable issues, like inadequacies in HAZID, change management, and design hazards
· While the companies had documented a large number of processes, they had poorly/insufficiently implemented those paper systems, nor implemented means to maintain that system once implemented
· Certified companies all equally had a strong focus on paperwork and documentation management but inadequate implementation, nor “follow their documented procedures and instructions at least five years after the certification”
· In all, the authors argue that the systems had a mechanistic implementation, without the necessary support structures
Note: If you’re critical of ‘safety culture’, then don’t let that put you off reading this paper. Just consider ‘safety culture’ as the necessary structural and social mechanisms and move on with your life.
Ref: Ghahramani, A. (2017). Diagnosis of poor safety culture as a major shortcoming in OHSAS 18001-certified companies. Industrial health, 55(2), 138-148.
Study link: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/indhealth/55/2/55_2015-0205/_pdf
SafetyInsights.org 
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