Creating a Safety Culture That Sticks

• 71% believe their employers are not following through on safety promises 
• 64% report no active efforts to improve safety in their worksites 
• 79% believe that companies prioritize productivity over worker safety 
• 46% are more likely to stay with an employer who cares about their safety 

Workers rely on their employers to keep them safe. According to a recent survey on worker safety many companies are falling short. 

Know Your Rights 

According to a recent study by the Bureau of Labor, 52% of workers believe that their workplace is unsafe. It is the role of facility management to ensure that the workplace promotes a positive safety culture. When this fails, OSHA has established a program for employees to report dangerous working conditions without the fear of retaliation. All employees should know their rights when it comes to proper workplace practices.

Operational Resilience 

25% of all businesses that suffer a major accident never reopen. Creating a culture of safety involves simple practices that lead to large changes in behavior. Start by conducting a facility safety audit. Be open with employees and allow them to voice their concerns without fear of repercussions. Establish a roadmap for long-term success. 

Culture Starts at the Top 

Sites that make workers feel safe, valued, and engaged have higher morale, productivity and retention. Here are six tips to establish and maintain a strong and positive safety culture in your workplace: 

1. Improve communication: Reinforce employee safety strategies with visual communication tools. Deploy effective safety signs, labels, and floor marking to identify hazards, traffic routes, and evacuation procedures. 
2. Be transparent: Workplace injuries affect the whole workforce. Identify the cause, response, and corrective steps involving workplace incidents. 
3. Provide training: 83% of workers have experienced an emergency before. Educate employees about the hazards of the facility, conduct emergency preparedness drills, and reinforce training with regular safety talks. 
4. Make reporting easy: OSHA estimates that over two-thirds of workplace accidents go unreported due to fear of retaliation, embarrassment, or unfamiliar reporting channels. Create open lines of contact to report incidents, hazards, and safety concerns. Involve employees in planning safety initiatives. 
5. Incentivize safety: Injury accident costs include worker's compensation claims, lost productivity, and potential fines. Reward safe work practices to improve trust and engagement. 
6. Prioritize mental health: Recognize the impact of mental health on worker safety and productivity. Provide resources to relieve stress and encourage open discourse of mental health challenges. 

Building a positive safety culture is an important factor in the success of any business. Invest in safety strategies to become better-equipped to handle unexpected challenges. Form positive relationships with workers and actively engage with them on behalf of their own safety. The result is a healthier worksite, greater productivity and higher profitability.