Workplace injuries come with both emotional and financial costs. OSHA reports that almost $1 billion in workers’ compensation is paid out every week, and this is not the only expense. Some of the other financial costs associated with workplace accidents include:
- Medical expenses
- Legal fees
- Training for new employees
- Lost productivity
- Repairs
Safety incidents also contribute to workplace issues that are not as directly measurable, such as increased absenteeism and low morale. Investing in safety and compliance training can reduce these costs and help create a collaborative work environment in which each person feels responsible for their own safety and the safety of others. These four keys can help you transform your safety and compliance program:
1. Start with the Basics
In addition to fundamental training such as fall prevention, avoiding hazards, and other fundamental safety concepts, every industry has specific safety protocols that should be followed. Make sure your safety program includes all of the required training modules and create a schedule that ensures all personnel are trained with the appropriate material at the right times. Consider the diversity of your team and provide safety training materials that are accessible to everyone. Include materials that use visual elements to help learners understand the content. While these fundamentals are an important first step, creating a culture of safety goes beyond providing informational materials and delivering training.
2. Demonstrate Commitment from Leadership
Don’t just commit to providing the required training modules—commit to creating an incident-free workplace. This means that leadership must both understand and follow all safety processes and participate in training with employees. By modeling behavior that supports a safer environment, leaders encourage employees to do the same. Leaders must also be trained to coach their employees on the skills and behaviors they may struggle with on the job in the midst of their day-to-day tasks.
3. Instill a Sense of Personal Ownership
Employees at every level, including leaders, must understand that safety is everybody’s responsibility. Employees have more control than they think when it comes to preventing safety incidents. Empowering people to speak up quickly and effectively when they see potential issues helps contribute to a safer environment. When employees feel that they are part of a team and that the success of that team depends on everybody making safe choices, they will support each other and work together to create a safe workplace.
4. Provide Ongoing Coaching and Reinforcement
It’s not enough to provide safety information once during a training session. Most people will forget the majority of the new information they learned in a training session, unless it is repeated. Ongoing coaching and reinforcement help new behaviors and skills become second nature. Leaders should also be able to recognize teaching moments and take the opportunity to coach others on safety principles and processes. Reinforcement can be delivered through tools such as quick refresher courses, quizzes, flashcards, mobile reminders, and informal group discussions.
5. Create a Culture of Safety
Implementing better safety and compliance training goes beyond the training session. In order for employees to apply what’s been taught, they must change their way of thinking. Building a culture of safety heavily depends on commitment from leadership and instilling a sense of accountability among all employees.
Working with a trusted partner that has expertise with these concepts allows you to deliver all of the required safety training material in a way that builds conviction and encourages accountability. When it comes to creating a safe work environment, the bare minimum training requirements are not enough; you have to shift to a culture of safety in which everyone plays an active role.
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