10 ways to improve safety culture

Building a strong safety culture is key to preventing accidents and ensuring the well-being of everyone at work. An organization’s safety culture should go beyond simply having safety policies in place; it should facilitate a mindset where safety is part of the everyday conversation. This mindset helps prevent accidents, promotes well-being, and builds trust between employees and management. In this post, we’ll discuss 10 ways to improve the safety culture in your workplace, and things to keep in mind when implementing new strategies.

What is safety culture?

Safety culture refers to the shared values, attitudes, and behaviors toward safety within the workplace. It’s how safety is prioritized and integrated into every part of the organization. In a positive safety culture, everyone, from top leadership to frontline employees takes responsibility for safety and works together to prevent accidents and injuries.

Beyond physical safety, a strong safety culture also supports the overall well-being of employees. It emphasizes mental and emotional health as well as physical health in creating a safe and productive work environment.

What an ideal safety culture looks like:

• Safety is a shared responsibility across all levels of the organization.
• Employees feel comfortable reporting hazards or concerns without fear of retaliation.
• Management leads by example, consistently following safety protocols.
• Safety is integrated into daily operations and decision-making.
• Regular safety training and education are provided to all employees.
• Open communication about safety issues is encouraged and valued.
• Continuous effort exists to identify, assess, and address potential risks.
• Employees actively participate in safety committees and initiatives.
• Positive reinforcement is used to recognize safe behaviors.
• Safety performance is regularly measured, reviewed, and improved.

How to improve safety culture

Building a strong safety culture isn’t a one-time project, but an ongoing effort involving everyone in the organization. Here are ten ideas to improve safety culture in the workplace:

1. Lead by example

Getting leadership buy-in for safety initiatives is critical because leaders set an example for everyone in the company. When leaders take safety seriously, employees are likelier to do the same. If leaders follow safety rules, like wearing the right gear and speaking up when they see something unsafe, employees will notice and be more likely to follow those rules, too.

Leaders do more than just attend safety meetings — they make safety a big part of their everyday actions. For example, if a manager stops work when something unsafe happens and addresses it immediately, it shows employees that safety should always come first. On the other hand, if leaders ignore safety rules, employees may think it’s not a big deal and might start ignoring safety too.

2. Open communication

Encouraging open communication about safety is critical for building trust within the team. Employees need to feel that they can report hazards or near-misses without the fear of retaliation or being dismissed. When employees feel their feedback is valued, they’re more likely to report potential risks and engage in safety initiatives.

To make communication around safety easier, safety managers can:

• Provide anonymous ways to report concerns.
• Act on reported issues quickly to show responsiveness.
• Hold regular safety meetings that engage your staff.
• Encourage feedback and make sure employees feel heard.

3. Empower your employees

Empowering employees means giving them the power to help keep the workplace safe. When employees feel like they have control over safety, they take it seriously and watch out for each other. It’s essential to train them well and give them the tools they need to spot dangers and act on them.

For example, you can let workers stop work if they think it’s unsafe. When employees know their concerns matter, they’re more likely to follow safety rules and let managers know when something is risky. This helps everyone feel responsible for keeping the workplace safe and makes it a team effort.

4. Conduct regular safety training

Regular training keeps employees up to date on safety protocols, including hazard recognition, proper use of PPE, and emergency procedures. When training is engaging and relevant, employees retain the information better and feel more prepared to act when faced with safety risks.

Keep safety training interactive and relatable by including real-world examples or simulations of potential workplace hazards. This helps employees understand the importance of the training and how it applies to their daily work. The more frequent and engaging the training, the better employees will retain and apply the knowledge when necessary.

5. Conduct thorough risk assessments

A risk assessment helps identify potential hazards, assess their severity, and prioritize which issues need immediate attention. Regularly reviewing and updating risk assessments ensures that you’re always aware of new dangers, whether from new equipment, processes, or personnel changes.

For instance, conduct a risk assessment to identify new hazards after introducing new machinery or equipment. This proactive approach allows safety managers to implement control measures before these risks turn into accidents.

6. Implement a robust EHS management system

An effective Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) management system provides a structured way to manage safety risks and ensure compliance with regulations. This system should include policies, procedures, and tools that help identify, assess, and mitigate safety hazards. Using EHS software to track incidents, maintain safety records, and monitor compliance can streamline the safety management process and improve efficiency.

For example, using EHS management software can help track and report safety incidents, automate safety audits, and ensure you stay compliant with OSHA management of change regulations. This helps ensure safety, improves operational efficiency, and keeps safety standards in check.

7. Embrace continuous improvement

Safety is an ongoing process. It’s essential to regularly assess safety performance and look for opportunities to improve. Encourage a mindset of continuous improvement by reviewing incident data, setting new safety goals, and celebrating improvements. When incidents occur, use them as learning opportunities to make necessary changes to prevent future accidents.

For example, if there’s an increase in near-miss reports, take the time to investigate the underlying causes. Once you identify potential gaps in procedures or training, implement changes and track their effectiveness. Celebrate small wins in safety and encourage feedback from employees to make ongoing adjustments.

8. Recognize and reward safe behavior

Recognizing and rewarding employees for following safety procedures helps reinforce positive behaviors and makes safety a core part of your workplace culture. When employees are rewarded for demonstrating safe practices, it motivates others to do the same. Public recognition, safety incentives, or even a simple thank you can go a long way in promoting a safety-conscious environment.

Consider implementing a safety rewards program where employees earn points for demonstrating safety behaviors, like reporting hazards, following safety protocols, or completing training. These points can be redeemed for rewards, like gift cards or company-wide recognition.

9. Involve employees in safety committees

Involving employees in safety committees helps foster a sense of ownership and gives them a voice in shaping safety programs. These committees allow employees to actively participate in safety initiatives, raise concerns, and contribute ideas for improvement. When employees are part of the decision-making process, they’re more likely to feel invested in prioritizing safety.

Safety committees should include employees from different departments to provide diverse perspectives on potential risks. Hold regular meetings where committee members can share their ideas and feedback on safety initiatives. This collaborative approach creates a stronger, more inclusive safety culture.

10. Measure and monitor safety performance

To know whether your safety efforts are working, track key performance indicators (KPIs). KPIs are things like incident rates, near-miss reports, and employee participation in safety programs. Regularly monitoring safety performance allows you to identify trends, see where improvements are needed, and demonstrate the impact of your safety initiatives.

For example, tracking the number of reported near-misses can give valuable insight into potential hazards that have yet to lead to accidents. Analyzing these trends can help you prioritize areas for improvement and show employees the tangible results of their safety efforts.

Things to keep in mind when managing safety

Improving safety culture in the workplace can come with some challenges, but it’s all part of building a strong safety culture. You might face pushback from employees, run into resource limitations, or struggle with balancing safety and productivity. Plus, things change over time, and staying flexible is key.

Be prepared for resistance to change

Some employees might resist introducing new safety protocols because they feel they disrupt their routine or aren’t necessary. This resistance can slow down the adoption of the new measures.

To overcome this:

• Communicate why changes are important for their safety.
• Involve employees early in the process for feedback.
• Show the direct benefits of the changes.
• Celebrate small successes to keep motivation up.

Balance safety with productivity

Employees may worry that following safety protocols will slow them down or make their work harder. However, it’s essential to show that safety and productivity go together by preventing accidents that could cost time and money in the long run.

• Integrate safety into daily routines so it doesn’t disrupt work.
• Explain how safety prevents costly accidents and downtime.
• Look for ways to streamline safety measures to save time.
• Encourage safety measures that improve efficiency.

Manage resources appropriately

Implementing safety measures can be challenging when resources like time, money, or staff are limited. That said, you can still make safety improvements without needing a big budget by following a few planning tips:

• Prioritize the most important safety measures first.
• Use existing tools and resources to track and manage safety.
• Involve employees in finding low-cost safety solutions.
• Seek out free or low-cost safety training options.

Be adaptable

Changes in equipment, processes, or staffing can introduce new risks that weren’t there before. Be flexible and adjust safety protocols as needed to stay on top of these risks by:

• Always conducting risk assessments and safety audits when there are changes to the workplace.
• Updating safety measures to address any new risks that arise.
• Involving employees in identifying potential hazards based on their experience.
• Regularly reviewing safety plans to ensure they’re still effective in preventing accidents.

Be mindful of cultural barriers

Language and cultural differences can make it difficult for everyone to understand and follow safety rules. To create a truly inclusive safety culture:

• Offer training in different languages to make sure everyone understands.
• Use simple visuals and infographics to explain safety steps clearly.
• Ensure that all employees feel included and encouraged to participate in safety programs.
• Incorporate cultural sensitivity into safety training and policies to ensure everyone’s needs are met.

Build a stronger safety culture today

Improving your safety culture is easier with the right tools and training. At BLR, we provide customizable regulation and policy management tools — including workplace safety training courses — to help organizations meet safety regulations, reduce risks, and improve overall efficiency.

With nearly 50 years of experience, we offer the resources and expertise you need to build a safer workplace. Contact us today to learn how we can help you enhance your safety culture.