5 Tips to Help Employees
Buy into Safety
Boost your Safety Culture by implementing these tips!
How to Get Employees to Buy into Safety
Boosting your company’s safety culture can feel challenging, but it is essential in keeping employees safe on the job. Some employees view safety as a valuable part of their job and appreciate that their employer cares about them. Others see it as common sense or maybe even a waste of time. If your company is facing pushback from employees who are reluctant to take safety seriously, here are a few helpful tips to guide them toward becoming more safety aware and engaged.
Show them you care and lead by example
There’s a well-known quote by Theodore Roosevelt that goes,
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
When employees feel like safety is being dictated to them, rather than shared with them, genuine buy-in becomes difficult. Many employees may also believe that safety rules only apply to those performing high-risk tasks, like operating machinery or working at heights. But safety is for everyone. It’s essential to help employees understand that risks exist in every role. Help employees connect safety to their well-being and their families. People are more committed when they see how it impacts their personal lives.
Tip: Share real stories or testimonials that make safety feel real and relevant.
Encourage safety committee participation
A great way to have employees become more involved in your company’s safety culture is by starting a safety committee or welcoming them to join your already existing safety committee! A safety committee should have representation from all levels of your company, from management to hourly workers. This environment allows employees to express any concerns they may have and be involved in what the company is doing to ensure that they are going home safe every day.
Find and fix incentives
Many companies have taken the step to create a safety incentive program within their company. Traditional incentive programs, based on a lack of injuries, are frowned upon since they may unintentionally encourage employees to not report accidents in fear of having the incentives revoked. However, other programs such as a “find & fix” program focusing on hazard identification and correction, may be a beneficial addition to your safety program. Encourage employees to look for hazards at the workplace and report them to the appropriate person to correct the problem!
Provide training on an ongoing basis
Safety and health training is not something you do one time and are instantly OSHA-compliant. Training needs to be provided on an ongoing basis and addresses any potential hazards that employees might encounter on the job. Ongoing training ensures employees stay up to date on safety practices and reinforces a safety-first mindset. It also empowers them to speak up and act confidently.
Tip: Include hands-on training, refresher courses, and scenario-based learning.
These methods, along with written programs and ongoing training, will help make safety a habit in the workplace instead of a hassle. Contact Lancaster Safety Consulting for more information on how to help your employees buy into safety!
