Step 1
Get Senior Leadership Invested In Safety
To develop a more connected workforce and a strong safety culture, an organization’s leadership must be invested in the safety program. C-Suite and senior management should be fully engaged in delivering positive safety outcomes and truly believe in and promote the value this will bring to the business. Front-line workers will be less inclined to show engagement or participation if they do not see this dedication reflected in their managers and senior leadership. If a strong belief in safety is seen at the very top, it will trickle down to all areas of the organization.
The HSE annual statistics show that workplace injuries have increased 28% year on year. Though some of the increase is explained by a return to operations after Covid restrictions it also shows that employees are suffering where health and safety programs are not robust enough. This must change.
The ROI of Safety
Some American studies suggest that organizations can save between $4-6 USD for every dollar invested into a robust safety program.1 Whatever the UK equivalent is, an investment in safety will ultimately lead to less fines or penalties, insurance premiums, and more, allowing you to ultimately cut costs.
In addition to protecting workers and saving lives, investment in a safety program will help organizations benefit in other areas such as company credibility and reputation, employee morale, and worker retention rates. With industry members aware of leadership commitment to safety through compliance and legislative initiatives, EHSQ professionals will also see more opportunities for larger bids and bigger projects. Going beyond monetary value and considering sustainability and the part a leader plays in causing it to thrive, is also another essential element to consider.
Wellbeing and Mental Health
Mental health has become truly important during the pandemic, enabling leaders to help create a more productive environment. One of the most important ways a leader can support psychological safety is through a positive team approach where members care about one another and a leader takes all team feedback into consideration. When leaders show supportive and consultative leadership, a positive team, healthy team is the end benefit.
Such is the importance given to it by the Health & Safety Executive that HSE spot checks now include questions on how businesses are managing work-related stress. Mental health is just as important as physical health in the workplace, and so risks to both must be considered.
The CEO and other senior leadership may have an emotional connection to safety as there may have been a triggering occurrence, or catalyst, driving their consistent commitment. Conversely, others are driven by the ROI of safety and how it can boost the bottom line or help avoid loss. EHSQ professionals can motivate senior executives by presenting how organizations can reduce costs and save money by investing in safety.
How does this apply to EHSQ? When safety leaders or a CEO creates a positive environment where workers feel comfortable enough to voice concerns and report near-misses or deficiencies without fear, workers will be more inclined to participate and be engaged in safety. As safety champions, leaders must be empowering workers and inspiring them to do all they can when it comes to safety.
