Creating a strong safety culture takes effort, but the rewards—fewer injuries, lower costs, and a more engaged workforce—are well worth it. Organizations that successfully build a culture of safety don’t just reduce accidents; they improve morale, efficiency, and even profitability.
Here are ten essential strategies to strengthen workplace safety:
- 1. Be Willing to Make Sacrifices
- 2. Engage Employees in Safety Decisions
- 3. Encourage Candor and Open Communication
- 4. Lead by Example
- 5. Promote Transparency
- 6. Empower Employees to Act
- 7. Make Safety Personal
- 8. Keep Safety Communication Frequent
- 9. Recognize and Reward Safe Behavior
- 10. Start With Yourself
- The Real Bottom Line
1. Be Willing to Make Sacrifices
Transforming a weak safety culture into a strong one isn’t always easy. It requires hard decisions and, in some cases, a willingness to part ways with employees who refuse to comply.
Ted Lane, an Occupational Health and Safety Officer, recalls a major Alberta construction company that implemented a zero-tolerance safety policy. Initially, they lost workers who resisted the new approach, but within a few years, they rebuilt with employees who valued safety. The result? A safer, more efficient, and ultimately more profitable company.
2. Engage Employees in Safety Decisions
Many safety policies fail because they are imposed without input from the employees they affect. Workers on the frontlines know the risks better than anyone else, so including them in safety discussions leads to more practical, effective solutions.
“We promote the guys to do some of the things in their own way,” says Darryl Chipman, Director for CASCA. “Recently, a worker suggested using pictures instead of a long written form for safety reports. It made things easier, faster, and more effective.”
3. Encourage Candor and Open Communication
Employees need to feel safe speaking up about unsafe conditions or behaviors. In organizations with strong safety cultures, workers are encouraged—not punished— for raising concerns.
Ted Lane has a unique way of testing this: “I’ll walk into a site missing a piece of safety gear. If a worker stops me and says, ‘Hey, get that fixed,’ I know that company’s culture is working.”
4. Lead by Example
Leadership must consistently demonstrate their commitment to safety. When managers follow safety protocols, employees are far more likely to do the same.
Patrick Cantner, HSE Director of Willbros Canada, advises, “If you say safety comes first, but then reward employees who cut corners to meet deadlines, your safety culture will collapse.”
5. Promote Transparency
An open approach to safety builds trust and accountability. Some companies publicly share their safety records and improvement efforts to reinforce the importance of workplace safety.
Kinder Morgan sets a high standard by posting safety reports—including injury rates and incidents—on its public website. This level of transparency keeps employees and leadership accountable.
6. Empower Employees to Act
Workers must feel confident in stopping unsafe work without fear of retaliation. When employees know they have the authority to halt operations for safety concerns, they become active participants in maintaining a secure workplace.
“Our control center operators don’t need approval to shut down a pipeline if they feel there’s an unsafe condition,” says Dan Carter, Director of the Central Region & Control Centre for Kinder Morgan. “That’s built into our procedures.”
7. Make Safety Personal
People are more likely to follow safety procedures if they understand the personal impact. Sharon Cole, OHS Consultant for Alberta Gaming and Liquor Corporation, changed a skeptical worker’s attitude by asking him to imagine how he’d feel if his best friend got hurt on the job because he didn’t speak up. That moment of personal connection turned him into one of the most safety-conscious employees on the site.
8. Keep Safety Communication Frequent
Safety isn’t a one-time conversation—it’s an ongoing discussion. Monthly safety updates, toolbox talks, and bulletin boards help reinforce key messages.
Adam Czarnecki, Human Resource Manager for Great West Kenworth, recommends using statistics to keep employees engaged: “Send out reports on injury trends. Show workers the progress being made.”
9. Recognize and Reward Safe Behavior
Positive reinforcement plays a critical role in fostering safety. However, rewards should focus on long-term commitment rather than quick incentives that might encourage underreporting of incidents.
Chipman explains, “We offer training and career advancement to employees who prioritize safety. When new safety positions open, we promote from within.”
10. Start With Yourself
Safety culture begins with individuals taking personal responsibility. It’s easy to point fingers at management or coworkers, but real change starts when every employee commits to prioritizing safety in their own work.
The Real Bottom Line
When safety is embedded in an organization’s culture, it doesn’t just prevent accidents—it improves efficiency, morale, and trust. Strong safety cultures don’t develop overnight, but with commitment, consistency, and leadership, they become an essential part of the workplace.
The key takeaway? Safety isn’t just a policy—it’s a mindset, and it starts with you.
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