Safety is More than One Month a Year
To achieve greatness in any endeavor, it helps to make a habit of building momentum. It is the catalyst that drives people and organizations from average to good, and good to great. Each year, National Safety Month serves as a reminder about the importance of workplace safety. Organizations flood our inboxes with digital pledges and resources, proudly displaying their commitment to safety. But what happens once Safety Month is over? Do organizations (consciously or unconsciously) pivot focus to other key performance indicators or priorities?
Safety Month is a great opportunity to spotlight safety risks and practices, but improving safety should remain an unrelenting focus for organizations. Here are some ways to examine the interdependent components that maintain a resilient safety culture and build momentum for your organization’s safety journey.
Assess your safety system
A safety system is the foundation of an effective safety culture. This includes having well-defined policies, procedures and protocols that guide employees in maintaining a safe work environment. During Safety Month, organizations may review and update these systems to ensure they are current. However, checking a system once and expecting people to operate perfectly within that system at all times isn’t realistic. Create a framework to regularly address your systems in the field to ensure employees and leaders know and understand the expectations, that it is serving them well, that their perspectives and feedback has a channel, and is considered. That will help maintain your safety system’s effectiveness.
Consider your organization’s mindset
Safety is not just about following rules and procedures, or the quintessential “safety cop” approach. It's about fostering a mindset of care and curiosity rather than blame when challenges arise. This mindset should be demonstrated at every level of the organization, from top management to the front line. Leverage Safety Month as a kickoff by encouraging discussions and asking questions whenever mistakes happen. This fosters a climate of respect by building trust, cultivating openness, and offering concerns and suggestions without the fear of reprisal. By doing this, you will see a shift in mindsets and see how it is more effective to seek perspectives rather than point fingers. With a culture of open communication, employees feel more comfortable with reporting near-misses and identifying hazards early on.
Invest in safety leadership
Effective leadership is critical in promoting and sustaining a positive and proactive safety culture. Leaders set the tone, from the top down, for the organization's values and behaviors. During Safety Month, leaders often take a more visible role in safety initiatives. However, this stance should not diminish once the month is over. Encourage your leaders to intentionally monitor pertinent safety indicators and outcomes. Leaders must consistently pursue accountability and connect with their employees to build trust and credibility around safety activities. Just as they do with production and quality expectations within the organization, equip leaders to do the same with safety. Why would we treat safety any differently?
Build ownership of safety at every level
A truly resilient safety culture is one where every employee feels a sense of ownership over safety. This means empowering employees to take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of their colleagues. Building ownership of safety gives employees a voice, drives engagement, utilizes their expertise and creates lasting change. Safety Month is the perfect time to introduce initiatives that encourage employee involvement, like safety steering teams or learning teams, to identify system gaps and make recommendations for continuous safety improvement. This momentum can continue beyond Safety Month, as organizations can provide year-round opportunities for employees to share their experiences, contribute ideas, and recognize their efforts through the strategic initiatives that make the workplace safer.
Safety is more than just a compliance requirement. It’s a commitment to the well-being of every employee. Safety Month serves as an excellent reminder of this by bringing safety to the top of our minds. However, it’s our job to keep safety an integral part of our daily operations long after the month has ended—to keep the momentum.
