Safety Posture Matrix: A Diagnostic Framework for Organisational Safety in Socio-Technical Systems

This preprint introduces the Safety Posture Matrix, a conceptual diagnostic framework for evaluating organisational safety within socio-technical systems. The model positions organisations along two dimensions: System Strength (Adaptive Controls) and Human Reliability (Leadership Influence and Frontline Behavior). Four safety postures are defined: Symbol of Safety, Formal Safety, Heroic Safety, and Illusion of Safety. The framework treats Source Pressure as an external hazard-load multiplier that amplifies residual risk rather than a structural axis. The paper situates the model within established safety theory and proposes pathways for empirical validation and posture-specific intervention design.