Inspiring an Ongoing Commitment to Safety

Problem: Safety Issues Keep Cropping Up

Your Problem: You’ve spent a lot of time, money, and effort implementing the Four Simple Steps to OSHA Compliance, but safety issues keep coming at you. You’re learning that, unfortunately, safety is not a one-and-done exercise. Where do you go from here?

Your Solution: Maintain your company’s safety performance by taking the following actions.

Systematically identify potential hazards. Set a schedule for conducting regular safety inspections. Designate a competent person to perform the inspections as scheduled and to keep accurate records of any identified hazards and corrective

Continually correct unsafe work procedures. New hazards will arise. Previously identified hazards may resurface. Promptly eliminate the hazards you can and train your employees to safely handle the ones you can’t.

Regularly monitor performance and provide feedback. Observe your employees as they go about their tasks. Are they following safety procedures? If not, remind them of the proper way to do things and the reason for the rules: their own safety. Require retraining as needed. Disciplinary action may be appropriate for serious and/or willful safety violations.

Frequently assess the effectiveness of your safety program. No matter how good your safety program and implementation are, workplaces are constantly changing. Make sure to adjust your safety program accordingly. Inform your employees about any updates.

Make It Happen: Safety takes an ongoing commitment not only from you, but also from your entire team. How can you inspire your employees to value safety as much as you do? Here are 5 concrete ideas:

1. Lead by Example: Managers and supervisors should consistently demonstrate a commitment to safety. When leadership prioritizes safe behaviors, it sets a powerful example for employees to follow.

2. Reward and Recognize Safe Behavior: Acknowledge and celebrate employees who consistently follow safety protocols or contribute to improving workplace safety. Public recognition or incentives can reinforce the importance of safety and motivate others to adopt safe practices.

3. Engage Employees in Safety Discussions: Involve employees in safety planning, decision-making, and discussions. Give them a platform to share their suggestions and concerns, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for maintaining a safe work environment.

4. Make Safety Visible and Accessible: Use signage, visual aids, and regular reminders to keep safety top of mind. Make safety procedures easily accessible and visible throughout the workplace, ensuring everyone is constantly reminded of the importance of safe practices.

5. Create a Peer Support System: Encourage employees to look out for one another by promoting a culture of peer support. When employees are empowered to remind colleagues of safety protocols or correct unsafe behaviors, it reinforces a sense of teamwork and collective responsibility for workplace safety.

Incorporating these strategies can make safety more tangible and engaging for employees, making them more likely to take safety seriously.

Next Steps: Level with yourself. Have you honestly been taking the precautions listed above? If so, give yourself a pat on the back; you are doing exactly what you need to do to keep your employees safe as hazards surface. If not, don’t delay getting started. By making safety a habit in your workplace, you will protect your employees, company reputation, and profits.