Keys to safety

Motivating employees and changing the way they think is not an easy task. Implementing a value-based safety program that will give your company the best safety culture often includes changing employees' attitudes. You must value your employees' or co-workers' safety starting with a commitment from the president or CEO of the company to each and every employee understanding your mission to provide a safe working environment for all employees.

Employees must learn that safety is a systematic approach that is planned in each work task. They should value their own safety behavior and be empowered to speak up if they have questions. You should encourage employees to participate in safety meetings, job safety analysis, and company safety training programs. Most importantly, management must act as coaches and provide the leadership to make the system work. Management, supervisors and employees must be held accountable for safety activities, goals and results of their safety behavior. Following are the three keys to implementing a safety program.