Getting Your Team to Go All-In For Workplace Safety

One of the toughest challenges you’ll face as you work to implement a strong workplace safety program is getting everyone on staff to buy-in. Even the best-planned safety program can’t work properly without the support and efforts of your entire team.  

Regardless of who creates the safety plan, it’s the employees in their day-to-day work who are at risk and also in the best position to help reduce that risk. They’re the ones putting on the PPE. They operate and maintain the machinery. They use dangerous equipment and chemicals daily. In short, your workers are your frontline defense against accidents and illness. And while they are crucial to the success of your safety program, they’re not the only ones you need to get on-board with your plan. 

Here are 4 critical steps to getting your entire staff on board with your new safety-focused strategy:

1. Get buy-in from the top first

We just said that the working staff is your frontline, but those employees look to their leadership for guidance, and when it seems like the top-level management doesn’t care, the rest of the workers won’t either. A solid safety program requires resources such as a budget and dedicated staff-hours. Convincing the leaders of the importance and value of such a program is step one to success.

Show them the statistics on workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities including the employer cost. If you can prove that your safety plan is a solid investment both financially and for the good of your employees.

2. Provide comprehensive training

Insufficient training is a surefire way to invite trouble. Taking the time and effort to ensure that every employee has the proper training to do their job and follow all safety precautions is one of the surest ways to reduce workplace injuries. Plus, workers who are adequately trained tend to have better job satisfaction. 

Training doesn’t stop once everyone has been through the program. Periodically quiz employees on safety protocol. If certain policies are falling through the cracks, that’s a sure sign that parts of your training can use improvement.

Be sure to have a plan for training new employees as they come on board as well as refresher courses for your other employees. Even the best-trained staff can use periodic training to remind them of proper safety procedures as well as the importance of the overall safety program.

3. Create and enforce smart policies

You need to have some policies to enforce proper safety protocol at your facility. The key here is to make them reasonable, understood, and enforced. Employees need to know what the policies are and, just as importantly, why they exist. They also need to understand the penalty for failing to comply with the established policies. 

The key is to be fair, but also be firm. The intention of your safety policies is to make a better, safer and more productive workplace. To do that, employees must understand and appreciate the program as well as knowing the penalty for non-compliance. Smart policies make sense for everyone. 

4. Engage your employees

A safety program isn’t something you impose on your workforce. It is something you create for them and with them. Take the time to ask your employees about their jobs and what safety issues they see regularly. You may be surprised by what you learn! When workers feel like their voices are being heard, they become much more willing to engage in the program.  

Encourage your employees to help identify and solve safety issues. If you find an employee who is not following protocol, ask questions. What is the reason? If their PPE doesn’t fit properly, or they find that a certain safety procedure hinders their work, you can use that information to make improvements. Always ask before enforcing penalties. 

Remember, your company is only as strong as its workforce. Without employee engagement, your program will face constant challenges. With your whole team on board, you have your best chance to reach your 1000 Safe Days goal!