When you’re building a thriving safety culture, you can’t just dip your toe into the water – your entire organization must live and breathe it. If your company’s safety leader mandates that safety glasses much be worn in your shop but that person doesn’t follow the policy themselves, your credibility weakens and your employees are less likely to follow the policy or take the leader seriously in other matters. Your safety culture needs to be consistent and authentic to ensure your organization is meeting and exceeding expectations.
You might be thinking, “My company abides by the standards set by OSHA, EPA, MSHA, DOT, etc. So, our safety culture must be thriving already.” While aligning with laws, standards, and guidelines provided by governing groups is crucial, these standards are the bare minimum and do not create a safety culture on their own.
Think about it this way – if your employees only performed to a bare minimum standard, would your customers be impressed or expect something more that sets your company apart from the rest?
Connection Creates Buy-In
Creating a safety culture requires your team and leadership to be committed to achieving higher standards that differentiate your business not only for your clients, but for your current and future employees as well. But, how do you get the buy-in you need to go beyond the bare minimum?
Buy-in is about trust, and earning the trust of your team starts with getting to know them.
By talking with your employees and leaders, you can build a genuine connection and learn more about their individual perspectives on safety. Define what safety means for you and the company and illustrate how building a safety culture is important not just from a work perspective, but for the personal safety of employees and their loved ones’ peace of mind.
It might seem counterintuitive, but making conversations about safety solely about compliance isn’t as effective as being intentional about your safety culture and the safety of your employees and clients.
Steps Toward Your Safety Culture
Once you’ve gained a better understanding of what safety means for your team, you can create a roadmap that details what you need to reach your ideal safety culture.
Start with identifying your company’s mission. Your mission isn’t just the service or product your company delivers. Look back at why the organization was founded, what leaders and employees are passionate about, and what it is you hope to accomplish with the company. Once you’ve identified your mission and described it in the brief but clear mission statement, communicate it widely throughout your organization.
You’ll also want to identify your core values. Every company is different, so choose positive and impactful words and behaviors that you already see or want to see more of in your team. It can also be helpful to identify words and behaviors you do not want associated with your company, such as toxic traits or bullying. By acknowledging the contrast between who you do and don’t want to be, you can set the bar high for your safety culture.
Finally, define your safety culture. What does safety mean to your employees, clients, and the company as a whole? Align what you learned in conversations with your team with your mission and values to elevate your safety culture beyond compliance with the goal of being best in class at every jobsite.
Our Captive Experts Are Here to Help
Your safety culture isn’t a one-and-done thing – it’s important to be vigilant to ensure your standards are being met and the company is moving forward with your safety culture, mission, and values as your compass.
If you need assistance with your safety culture or you’re ready to learn more about becoming a Captive member, reach out today and let’s get started!
