Page 87 - OHS, June 2024

Investing in corporate leaders, field leaders and frontline workers forms the foundation of an effective safety culture. Successful organizations empower their leaders with the right resources.
safety-centric culture. While developing skills and awareness is crucial, soft skills sustain a safe culture over time.
Field leadership programs not only enforce hard skills but also teach the soft skills, such as listening and leading, needed to empow- er individuals to be safety leaders in the field. This approach encour- ages leaders to pay attention to new employees, foster a supportive environment and instill a top-down commitment to safety through productivity, quality and project management.
Establishing strong relationships, starting from the onboarding process, is crucial. According to Tony Govind, director of human resources at Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP), genuine conversations during the onboarding process — facilitated by the director of safety — build trust, common ground, and a height- ened sense of care and concern for one another’s safety.
Cultivating a Thriving Safety Culture
A successful safety culture transcends traditional enforcement methods, moving away from punitive measures toward emphasiz- ing the human aspect of safety. Employee involvement and posi- tive recognition play pivotal roles in building and sustaining a ro- bust safety culture.
Employees are less likely to make risky decisions when remind- ed of the personal motivations behind working safely: their homes and loved ones. A deeper awareness of colleagues’ personal lives encourages intervention when unsafe situations arise.
Safety should be integrated into everyday work. Initiatives like start- ing daily meetings with a “Safety Spotlight” can encourage employees to share firsthand experiences with job danger, express thoughts on daily safety concerns and volunteer for safety responsibilities.
Employee buy-in and involvement are key to a strong safety culture. Engaging people at various levels is vital, creating a sense of pride and making employees feel like they’re part of the solu- tion. Establishing a safety committee with representatives from various departments and tenures is crucial to ensure ongoing em- ployee involvement. This committee can discuss trends, address outstanding issues, review incident reports and share best prac- tices for continuous improvement.
In addition to employee involvement, recognizing and rewarding
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