Fostering a Culture of Safety: Tips for Improving Worker Attitudes

Safety is something that needs to be a part of your company culture. It should be at the forefront of your values and is to be taken seriously by all members of your team and organization. Unfortunately, some people become familiar, and complacent when it comes to safety in the workplace, which can impact their behaviour. So, today, let’s discuss our top tips to help improve the safety attitudes of workers. 

Take Safety Seriously 

Every employee (workers, foreman, supervisors, management, and the Board of Directors) must take safety seriously to: 

• Avoid incidents that can cause fires, explosions, or other dangers.
• Avoid incidents that can cause job-related injuries.
• Avoid exposure to hazardous substances that can lead to serious illness.
• Comply with safety and health regulations.
• Comply with company work rules, policies, and procedures.

Utilize Company Safety Tools and Training 

When you take safety seriously, you take advantage of the protections available on the job. The safety procedures, equipment, and information employers provide include: 

• Engineering controls such as ventilation.
• Work procedures such as lockout/tagout.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, hard hats, and protective eyewear.
• Emergency planning and response programs including alarms, evacuation plans, and eyewashes.
• Safety information such as chemical labels and safety data sheets.
• Training on how to do your job safely.

“90% of injuries are caused by unsafe acts, most of which are

the result of carelessness, distraction, or complacency.” -Colby College 

Carelessness and workplace incidents 

Unsafe acts are often a factor in incidents. They result when people take attitudes like these toward safety: 

• Complacency: After performing a job often without an incident, you may believe you’re experienced enough to skip safety procedures or steps. That’s exactly when an incident happens.
• Being upset or angry: You can’t let emotions get in the way of doing your job correctly. Distraction can be dangerous.
• Fatigue: Being tired can slow your physical and mental reactions, causing your mind to wander.
• Recklessness: Taking chances with tools, machinery, chemicals, or work procedures is foolish and dangerous.
• Being afraid to ask questions: Training and work procedures cover much information, sometimes too much to remember. Always ask when unsure what to do or how to do it. It shows you’re smart enough to know what you don’t know.

Take a Positive Attitude Toward Safety 

• Take personal responsibility for your safety and that of your co-workers.
• Pay attention to training.
• Follow every step in every job every time.
• Know and follow safety rules.
• Use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Give work your full attention.
• Keep an eye out for hazards. Always ask, “What could go wrong here?”
• Put your personal feelings and problems aside while you’re working.
• Urge your co-workers to follow safety procedures.
• Know what to do in an emergency.
• Ask questions about any procedure or precaution that’s not clear.
• Report any safety hazards you can’t fix.
• Save fooling around for your time.

Look for Opportunities to Improve Workplace Safety 

Demonstrate that you have the right attitude toward safety by: 

• Volunteering for safety committees.
• Taking an active role in safety meetings and training sessions.
• Proposing safety improvements through the suggestion system.
• Cooperating with safety inspections and monitoring.
• Setting an example of a good safety attitude for others, especially new employees.

Educating your workers, and leading by example, about the importance of safety is key to the success of your business or organization. Every aspect of your business is impacted by failing to keep safety as a top priority. Therefore, keep these tips in mind to help keep workers attitudes positive when it comes to safety protocols and procedures.  

If you have questions about safety in your own business, please contact the Goal Zero team today!