The Challenge: Move Beyond a Passive Safety Culture

Chatting with health & safety managers, I’ve heard many stories about posters no one reads, rules that aren’t followed, and promotional videos that don’t actually change behaviour. And this matters because many organizations rely on directives to change behaviour. While signs and other tools can raise awareness, if people pay attention, they can fall short of creating a true culture of safety. 

The problem? Telling employees what to do doesn't necessarily engage them, get their feedback, or show them that their actions matter. 

And the challenge? ‘People need to feel part of the problem and the solution: anyone can make the workplace safer or not,’ one HSEQ manager said. ‘When people feel that even small actions have real consequences–and realize that we are all in this together, that’s when real change happens.’ 

Creating a safety culture means taking a leap into action to achieve zero incidents. When the workplace culture becomes actively engaged–everyone is proactively participating–that’s a win for everyone. So how do we achieve this?   

Active Engagement: The Key to a Strong Safety Culture

The HSEQ professionals we speak with argue that active participation, feedback and collective problem-solving are crucial. When employees are actively involved, they're more likely to:

• Understand the Risks: Seeing incident data and near misses firsthand makes the risks feel real and personal.
• Take Ownership: When employees understand the impact of their contributions, they feel a sense of ownership over safety.
• Offer Solutions: Active engagement encourages employees to identify potential hazards and propose solutions.
• Reinforce Positive Behavior: When employees see that their safe actions are recognized and valued, they're more likely to repeat them.

Change happens when people act, individually and collectively, to transform workplaces. 

Make It Real: 5 Tips to Engage Employees

‘Sharing stories is what  builds culture and empowers employees,’ another HSEQ manager told me. ‘We need to talk about the near misses. That’s how we highlight the actions of the individuals who make us safer. And by learning from actual experience and sharing stories of preventative action, we start to change the culture of the workplace itself.’ 

All these conversations emphasize that a safer workplace emerges from preventative action and a proactive response. If a risk presents itself, raise the alarm as quickly as possible rather than wait until an incident strikes or escalates.   

Here are 5 ways any organization can create a safety-first workplace culture:

• Share Incident Data Openly: Don't just report the numbers. Discuss the circumstances, the lessons learned, and how employees can prevent similar incidents. 
• Highlight Near Misses: Near misses are valuable learning opportunities. Share them widely and encourage employees to report them without fear of reprisal. 
• Demonstrate Impact: Show employees how their actions, both positive and negative, affect safety outcomes. 
• Solicit Feedback: Ask employees for their ideas on how to improve safety. Their insights can be invaluable. 
• Recognize and Reward Safe Behavior: Publicly acknowledge employees who consistently follow safety procedures and contribute to a safe work environment. 

Building a strong safety culture isn't a one-time effort. It's an ongoing process that requires commitment, communication, and a genuine belief that every employee has a role to play. By actively engaging employees as partners with solutions like RAYVN, any organization can create a workplace where everyone enjoys the benefits of a proactive health and safety culture.