Imagine how your business would be if all your employees are focused on promoting safety in your organisation. It’s great right? When people are physically safe, there will be less employees having to take sick days. If they feel mentally safe, relationships and collaborations can thrive. Everyone can speak their minds without fear, and they can freely contribute towards the goal of the company. Employee morale and productivity can both increase. We could actually go on about the benefits of having a culture of safety, and this is why it is so important to promote it in your business or organisation.
Defining the culture of safety
At its most basic form, safety culture can be defined as the way things are done in your business without compromising health and safety. Every individual and group beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, competences, and patterns of behaviour impact an organisation's commitment to and style of health and safety management. Meaning, a high-performing safety culture is one in which every person in the organisation chooses to be safe because they ‘want to' rather than because they 'have to.' Rather than fear, the need to comply, or just meeting minimum standards, their motivation is built on a personal value for safety, learning, and progress.
Changing an organisation's safety culture is a difficult and time-consuming undertaking as those safety ideals should be lived and breathed throughout the organisation. However, it is not impossible and you can take the first step today.
How to promote a culture of safety in the business
1. Examine the dangers that exist in the workplace
The particular activities you take to improve your workplace safety culture will be heavily influenced by the present risk environment. Start a full workplace assessment today if you haven't already. If it's done, double-check that it's up to date. Are there any specific occupational risks that require special attention? This could include the usage of specific tools, equipment, and/or dangerous materials.
2. Communicate
Weekly or monthly safety discussions are an excellent method to improve safety communication while also fostering a good culture. Increase employee buy-in by allowing them to lead the discussions. These can even be completed from afar. Make safety regulations that convey your organisation's best practises and expectations easily accessible, both online and on paper. The pace for workers to follow and contribute to the safety program is established by a strong tone for workplace safety.
3. Leaders should demonstrate safety culture
Employees will follow management's lead if they see that the leaders are committed to safety. A positive safety culture requires employee buy-in. Workers will not buy into safety if they do not see their supervisors following policies and procedures. Walking the walk is more important than talking the talk when it comes to safety.
Also, demonstrate to your employee that you value your employee and that’s the primary reason for promoting this culture of safety. This can be done for instance by giving them additional protection benefits such as insurance and more.
4. Create and implement a process for positive reporting
Employees who report safety issues or concerns should be rewarded. When employees feel comfortable expressing issues and believe the reporting process is good, it will be much easier to develop and maintain a strong safety culture.
Remember, a robust safety culture needs community participation. Employees should be able to provide feedback and identify issues for management to address. To hear everyone's perspective, not only supervisors should be encouraged to join safety teams or safety councils.
Protect your employees at all cost
Let’s talk about promoting a safety culture through providing ample protection for your employees.
Our insurance brokers at SK Insure have a deep understanding of the Business Insurance market, offering long-standing relationships with leading insurance companies. Talk to us today via the different channels listed below.
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