Companies with a focus on safety reduce employee injuries by 15-35%, compared to those who don’t prioritize safety, the National Safety Council reveals. Over 60% of businesses also say they get a $2 ROI for every $1 spent on injury prevention. As it’s the job of human resources (HR) professionals to craft safety policies and provide support to employees and superiors alike, they can play a key role in the creation of a safety-first workplace culture that spans the entire organization. Workplace safety also has a positive effect on employee happiness and satisfaction. When employees feel supported and secure at work, they naturally become more engaged and productive as a result.
Create effective safety policies
Over 80% of “wholly avoidable” workplace accidents are largely due to lack of clear safety policies. HR leaders should therefore design policies to eliminate hazards and prevent accidents. This usually starts with a workplace inspection to spot and record hazards. For instance, 30% of workplace injuries are caused by trips and falls, and these, in turn, often result from mess and clutter. Your safety policy should therefore include guidelines on trip hazard prevention. Employees should be required to keep work areas organized and store equipment correctly, for example.
You can also create a safety-first culture by encouraging employees to take ownership of the safety process. So, encourage them to give feedback on workplace safety — if someone spots a hazard, for instance, they should know how to report it via an online feedback form. It’s just as important to listen and respond to employee feedback. This builds trust and shows them their feedback is valued.
Support employees through injury
HR leaders should also establish an injury response plan for employees to follow when injury occurs. For example, in this situation, 911 should be called immediately. Basic first-aid should also be given, if possible. So, this means first-aid supplies should be fully-stocked and within easy reach. HR leaders also need to be prepared to fulfill their responsibilities in terms of workers’ compensation. For example, the state workers’ comp board will likely request information about the employees’ injury from HR. So, document the injury when it occurs, and pass the information on to the board when asked in order to minimize delays.
In some cases, the employee may also file a personal injury lawsuit against a third-party responsible for the injury (like in the case of a car accident, for example). However, available compensation varies depending on state laws, with the median award in these cases totalling $31,000. For example, Louisiana has comparative negligence laws, which means an individual's compensation decreases based on their level of responsibility for the incident. Alternatively, other states like West Virginia and Wisconsin are even stricter: if the individual’s over 51% at fault, they’re not entitled to any compensation. Either way, HR leaders can support employees during this time with regular check-ins to show they their health and wellbeing is a priority.
Use positive reinforcement to motivate employees
Two-thirds of employees say positive praise and recognition from their superiors motivates them more than money. Positive reinforcement is when you reward employees whenever they follow correct safety procedures, which therefore encourages them to do the same again next time. Ideally, this creates a self-reinforcing feedback loop foundational to a safety-first culture, as well as happier employees. The simplest way to recognize an employees’ safety efforts is through verbal or written praise. For example, briefly summarize their actions and publicly thank them in team emails or meetings. You can also provide tangible rewards when employees achieve safety targets. For example, gift cards, free lunches, and paid time off are all great incentives.
That said, safety mistakes shouldn’t go ignored. Just don't be overly accusatory towards employees, and, instead, frame the mistake as a moment they can learn from. For example, work with them to develop a safety action plan, so they handle the situation right next time. This may involve enrolling the employee in a refresher course on correct safety procedures, for instance.
HR leaders can create a safety-first workplace culture that uplifts and motivates employees. A proactive approach that includes effective policies, support following injury, and positive reinforcement can help employees feel safe and valued, which, in turn, builds trust and motivates them to perform at their best.
Nina S. Blake is a writer with a research journalism background, who is always eager to explore new niches and tackle diverse subjects.
