Do your employees expect you or a manager to take care of all the safety details? As the CEO of a small business, you are 100 percent responsible for workplace safety, but safety has to be everyone's priority. Get your employees on board in several ways.
Ways to involve employees in safety
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Make safety part of your employee contract.
New employees should understand from the beginning that they are responsible to follow safety protocols and precautions. This way, everyone is on the same page, understands their role in safety compliance and doesn't feel called out if they fail to follow the safety rules.
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Share safety statistics and facts.
Employees may take safety more seriously when they understand the risks they face. Share injury and illness statistics regularly, and be honest about the risks associated with unsafe practices.
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Offer training.
Unsafe acts of workers cause most workplace accidents. Make sure your employees know how to do their jobs safely, and maintain training records. Offer ongoing training when an employee changes jobs, if you update procedures, after an employee's extended leave and as needed.
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Add safety inspections to job descriptions.
Employees who perform safety inspections in their workstations every day are more likely to prioritize safety. Remind your staff that you and all the managers are monitoring employees and safety precautions daily, too.
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Establish a reporting system.
When employees see potential hazards, close calls, injuries or illnesses, they should report them. Be sure everyone knows the procedure for keeping the workplace safe and healthy.
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Inform employees of safety inspections.
You and your safety manager should not be the only people who know the details of safety inspections. Everyone should help to prepare for OSHA inspections and regular inspections you perform.
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Hold employees accountable.
Chances are high that your employees will pay more attention to safety if they know that they're accountable. Set up a rewards system to encourage employees to follow safety precautions, and recognize workers who achieve so many accident-free days on the job. Make safety part of performance reviews, too. If necessary, discipline employees who behave in a manner that's harmful to themselves or others.
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Take employee feedback seriously.
If your employees share a safety hazard or concern, don't brush it off. Inspect the concern and find a solution no matter what the cost. Your favorable response to complaints shows that you value your employees and encourages ongoing cooperation.
For guidance on building clear programs and communicating expectations, see Workplace Safety Communication and Practices.
To learn more about inspections and the role of inspectors, see Safety Inspector Insurance.
If you need help reviewing coverage or implementing recommendations, talk to your agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make safety part of new employees' orientation?
Include specific safety responsibilities in the job offer and onboarding materials, cover required training, and document that the employee received and understood safety procedures.
What should I do if employees report near-misses?
Investigate near-misses promptly, correct hazards, share lessons learned with staff, and update procedures or training to prevent recurrence.
How often should I provide safety training?
Provide training at hire, when employees change roles, after procedure updates, following extended leave, and whenever gaps in safe work practices are observed.
Are incentive programs effective for improving safety?
Rewards and recognition can boost attention to safety when combined with accountability and regular communication rather than replacing formal inspections and enforcement.