How to Build a Safety Culture Workers Actually Commit To

If your safety program only works when you’re in the room, your safety program isn’t working. So how do you get your team to follow the rules even when the boss isn’t around?

By M.B. Sutherland, Sr. Safety Writer, Magid

If your safety program only works when you’re in the room, your safety program isn’t working! So how do you get your team to follow the rules even when the boss isn’t around? Start by gauging your team's safety commitment level, then keep them engaged with these five tips:

Make Your Safety Committee Inclusive
Let Workers Help to Choose PPE
Start a Reward Program
Keep Communication Flowing
Avoid a Culture of Blame

Image of a gauge

Gauge Your Team’s Safety Commitment Level

Start by figuring out where your safety culture is right now in terms of compliance. People tend to work at one of three levels:

Icon for the number one

Noncompliant
“I won’t do it”

Icon for the number 2

Compliant
“I have to do it”

Icon for the number 3

Committed & Engaged
“I want to do it”

It’s very common for workers to stay at Level 2 where they’re compliant only because they have to be. Why? Because many safety cultures rely on a system of catching people doing something wrong. So your people may only be vigilant until they think nobody is watching, making accidents much more likely.

Image showing a smiling worker holding an award shirt

Keeping Workers Committed to Your Safety Program

The secret to keeping your workers at Level 3 is to make everyone an active part of your safety culture through positive reinforcement and good leadership. Use these tips to keep your people engaged:

1. Make Your Safety Committee Inclusive

Be sure your safety committee includes people from all levels of your organization. You should have as many members in hard hats as you have in collared shirts to elevate workplace safety ideas and awareness. If workers feel heard, they’ll feel bought-in. And as a bonus, you’ll get their good input and ideas that are based on experience doing the job.

2. Let Workers Help to Choose PPE

Set up a PPE wear-testing program to allow your people to pick gear that they find comfortable and usable. Having a voice in the PPE they have to wear every day gives them ownership and makes them much more likely to willingly use it.

3. Start a Reward Program

Boost your safety culture with a safety incentive program. If workers know there are prizes for coming up with suggestions that make your facility safer, they’ll start actively looking for ways to improve. You might even give workers safety pop quizzes as you walk around your facility and provide simple but fun rewards like t-shirts or cool safety glasses for right answers.

4. Keep Communication Flowing

Help everyone contribute ideas and concerns by having smaller safety meetings, trainings, and toolbox talks. While some people are comfortable in large groups, you may be missing out on valuable input from the introverts on your team if you only ask for feedback when everyone is gathered. Smaller meetings of no more than 5 to 10 people can help workers feel more comfortable speaking up.

5. Avoid a Culture of Blame

Make sure your culture focuses on keeping everyone safer rather than punishing those who break the rules. Let your people know that coming forward with a safety concern won’t get someone in trouble, but it might save them from an injury or worse. Make it clear that it truly is their business if another worker is lifting a heavy item wrong or taking off their gloves by explaining the ripple effect that injuries can have on the whole team if something goes wrong.

Don’t hide in the shadows! Give your workers ownership and make everyone personally committed to safety.

CONTACT ONE OF OUR SAFETY SPECIALISTS TODAY!

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How to Build a Safety Culture Workers Actually Commit To