According to the National Safety Council (NSC), work-related medically consulted injuries totaled 4.26 million in 2021. June is National Safety Month, and preventable injuries — or accidents — are the fourth leading cause of U.S. deaths. The top causes of workplace injuries and illnesses are exposure to harmful substances or environments; overexertion and bodily reaction; and slips, trips and falls.
Many companies have come to recognize the value of establishing and sustaining a strong safety culture. Yet no matter how seriously company leaders take that commitment to safety, there will always be some employees who don’t recognize the value of a work culture focused on safety.
“I think every safety professional can tell you stories about a safety skeptic they encountered somewhere along the way,” said SMG Manager of Construction & Manufacturing Brad Hunt, CHST. “Sometimes, it’s someone who’s ‘heard it all before;’ other times, it’s someone poking fun at safe work practices.”
Even though statistics show millions of fatal and non-fatal workplace accidents and injuries occur yearly across the country, safety skeptics often think of safety measures as unnecessary or excessive. So how does a safety pro get one of those skeptics on board?
“One of the best ways is to get to know the skeptical employees or team members on a more personal level,” Hunt said. “When you show you’re interested in what they have to say and their opinions about specific workplace matters, you’ll reach the point where you can determine what it is they dislike or find challenging about a safe work culture. That will help you shape future conversations with them.” Use the following approaches in communication:
- Share a personal story. Share a story from a past jobsite where a worker bypassed safety procedures and suffered an injury that had negative consequences for the employee and his or her family. Or highlight a team member whose life was changed in a positive way by adhering to a particular safety standard.
- Remind them about responsibility. No matter how employees feel personally about safety regulations, workers have a responsibility to the people they work with, who have that same responsibility to them. Nobody wants their co-worker to get hurt or to have to witness a serious injury. A big part of a safety program isn’t about people protecting themselves — it’s about each of us looking out for everyone else.
- Appeal to their intelligence. Talk about what injuries and accidents have cost the company and how that can affect their ability to bring in more work. Ask what they would do if they learned that and were running a company.
“When you show workplace safety skeptics respect, focus on educating them and appeal to their sense of responsibility, you’ll see them looking at the safety rules in an entirely new way and helping contribute to a healthier, safer work environment,” Hunt added.
Building a quality safety culture takes expertise and understanding. Wherever you are in the cycle of creating, executing or elevating your EHS program, SMG can help. Schedule a needs assessment with us today!
