FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM- 26/05

Title and Subtitle: A Targeted Review of Safety Culture Interventions: Tools and Insights for Aviation Regulators

Report Date: February 2026

Authors: Julia Beckel, Casey Yetter, and Kylie K. Worthington

Abstract:
Promoting a positive safety culture is essential to managing safety risks in aviation organizations. However, many safety culture change efforts fail due to a lack of evidence-based strategies. This literature review synthesizes research from safety, psychological, and organizational sciences to identify effective approaches for safety culture improvement. Findings are organized among the 10 dimensions of the Harmonized Safety Culture Model developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (2020). The Federal Aviation Administration has adopted the IAEA’s model for assessing safety culture within the agency and for overseeing the safety culture of its regulated entities. Following a review of the literature, we offer practical recommendations for implementing safety culture interventions within the aviation industry, as well as limitations and implications for future research.

Key Words: Safety Culture, Safety Climate, Safety Culture Interventions, Change Management, Culture Change

No. of Pages: 38