Creating and maintaining a strong safety culture throughout a company is imperative – and doubly so in an industry that puts its workers at higher risk for injury on a daily basis. However, a possible limitation to creating such a culture is the need for the entire company to buy-in to the idea.
Culture is the atmosphere created by shared beliefs, shared attitudes, practices, and a philosophy that characterizes a group of people. An organization’s safety culture is the result of a number of these factors.
Senior management’s participation in health and safety programs must be a consistent and visible duty. For example, leaders should attend or participate in weekly safety meetings and speak to the newly hired employees at the safety orientation. This clearly demonstrates the commitment from upper management from day one.
The most effective method of program promotion is by starting from the top-down. When leadership is on board with the idea of a new safety culture, the rest of the company is better poised to follow suit. How do you actually get leadership on board with safety culture?
Here are 5 practical ways you can present the concept, showcase its importance, and get leadership actively involved in stimulating a safety culture in your company:
- Find an Anchor Point – A person within the organization that will be the “champion” for safety.
- Talk Culture – Opinions about safety should use culture as a vital talking point.
- Show Them the Costs – Workman’s Compensation claims can cost tens of thousands of dollars and beyond.
- Use Case Studies – Find industry specific injury case studies similar to your industry.
- Audit Your Own Company – You need to obtain personalized data particular to your company.
Remember to Invite Ideas
Safety leaders are always thinking about how processes can be improved. When you have identified potential safety leaders, encourage them to share their ideas and implement them. These are the types of people that are willing to take on extra work if it contributes to a safer environment, so tap into that engagement to make improvements across the organization.
Ways to Achieve Your Safety Culture Goals:
OSHA 30-Hour Construction
If you’re responsible for keeping a construction site safe and secure, this course is for you. The OSHA 30-Hour Course includes a comprehensive overview of policies, procedures, and best practices covered under OSHA 29 CFR Part 126 standards for the construction industry. This course is for foreman, supervisors, safety personnel, or anyone in the industry who needs training beyond the basics.
OSHA 30-Hour General Industry
If you’re a safety manager or supervisor, our OSHA 30-Hour Outreach for General Industry course is your guide to creating a culture of safety in your workplace. You’ll get a comprehensive look at the policies, procedures, and standards covered by OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.
Broad training in the basic elements of workplace safety/health programs and management are offered. This includes understanding an employer’s responsibilities for worker safety, as well as workers’ rights to learn about the potential hazards of their job.
At Spencer-SHE our team of experts has over 50 years of experience assisting clients with program development, implementation, regulation compliance and agency correspondence.
Contact us to set up a consultation!
Sources:
https://www.ehstoday.com/ehs-outloud-blog/article/21915417/safety-culture-leading-by-example
The Importance Of Safety Leadership In The Workplace (eaglesflight.com)