According to IOSH (The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health), “safety culture is a combination of the attitudes, values, and perceptions that influence how something is done in the workplace, rather than how it should be done”. It is essential within any organization, from both a safety and a legal perspective, to ensure that a business is undertaking its daily activities in a way that reduces the risk of accidents and injuries.
Workplace safety culture takes more than just a policy change; it is a collective responsibility so it requires all employees in the organization to conform and follow the set processes. Although the business owner is responsible for providing Visual Safety Products and safe tool organization, the hazards need to be communicated to all workers to highlight the importance of cooperation with the health and safety standards.
To create a strong workplace safety culture, here are some key aspects to consider:
- Employee involvement from day one
Allowing everybody to have a say is a strong way to make employees feel valued and invested in the changes being made. Getting everybody included in the process is a critical part of creating a culture, and listening to the different opinions to create a comprehensive set of safety policies and procedures. As well as building confidence among employees, it is a great way to ensure every aspect of the business is covered, raising points that may have otherwise been missed. - Provide training regularly
For both new and existing employees, regular training should be carried out to ensure everyone on site is aware of the health and safety standards. They should be trained on how to identify potential hazards, what to do in the event, and how to safely use any machinery involved in their role. - Make time for continuing to improve
Even once a good health and safety culture has been established, it doesn’t stop here. The industry and regulations are forever evolving so continuous improvement is vital to identify any hazards that arise, before it is too late. Regular safety audits and inspections should be organized by trained professionals to keep a constant eye on the way the business operates. - Appoint trained leaders across the company
To ensure that rules are followed and that employees have a point of contact if they have any questions or concerns, health and safety leaders should be assigned. These leaders must understand the importance of safety and communicate this to their employees, leading by example to encourage others to follow in their footsteps. - Encourage open communication
Creating a tight-knit feel throughout the business is key when it comes to workplace culture, giving employees pride in their work and forming a team dynamic. Safety policies and procedures should be communicated to all employees so everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, as well as the hazards associated. Even once established, the communication channels should be maintained to ensure morale is kept high and reminders of the safety policies are always at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
Additional Resources
- Workplace Safety Inspections & Audits– creativesafetysupply.com
- Taking Safety Seriously – A Guide to Fostering Safety Culture In The Workplace– blog.creativesafetysupply.com
- Safety Compliance: How to Ensure Your Business is Compliant– creativesafetypublishing.com
- How to Start a Health and Safety Management System– safetyblognews.com
- Lean Culture, Defining and Understanding– 5snews.com
- The Importance of a Positive Workplace Culture– iecieeechallenge.org
- The Role of Industrial Label Printing in Workplace Safety– industriallabelprinters.net
- How Kaizen Can Be Applied to Boost Company Morale– kaizen-news.com
- How To Conduct Safety Training For New Employees– realsafety.org