Leadership and Workplace Safety

Leadership and Workplace Safety.

In every workplace, in every part of the world, the safety of all workers, in every respect, is paramount.

But what has leadership got to do with safety.

After all, there’s usually a list of guidelines, even instructions on specific compliance required.

This may be as simple as “wear a hardhat at all times”. 

The guidelines in most cases are prepared and reinforced by the health and safety department.

Simple, straightforward and followed by everyone at all times – completely.

That’s what the safety manager would expect.

But that’s not always what the safety manager gets. Simply telling staff members to “follow the rules“ doesn’t always mean they will do that .

What if we introduce leadership into the delivery of this key information? 

As we keep saying, leadership is a relationship. In the context of safety, the person delivering the message will get far better results - at the individuals will get safer outcomes - if there is a relationship between them and the person delivering the message.

The individuals receiving the information on critical safety issues, will internalize the information not as an edict or a rule but rather information given to them because the safety manager cares about them.

Of course, the safety manager will be modeling the way, living his values - showing that he really does care about their safety.

The leader may talk about creating a future where every employee knows that because they embrace safety in the workplace, that every day they will go home safely to their families

The third practice of the Leadership Challenge - Challenge the Process – would clearly encourage not only the safety department, but also a member of the team where the safety requirement apply, to ‘find a better way’, a safer way. This is not to compromise safety but rather to find a stronger or more robust way of guaranteeing safety.

The best leaders ‘enable others to act’.
This not only empowers team members ‘find a better way’ but to take accountability for their own safety and the safety of others. 

Of course, as leadership in the safety area leads to greater involvement and therefore more safety for everyone, the leader of all and acknowledge individuals and the team for the positive outcomes that have been achieved.

Because 98% of people say they perform at their best when they’re encouraged, this outcome will certainly apply when they are encouraged specifically in the health and safety area.

It’s recognized that statistical records of positive improvement in the safety area have a direct impact on team members responsibility to safety.

Comments from the safety leader like “wow – we have a 23% decrease in workplace accidents in the last 12 months because all of you paid particular attention to creating a safe workplace” have a real impact – and a desire to get a better result in the coming 12 months.

Safety leadership will get far more positive results than safety management.
In simple terms, less injury - minor and severe - maybe even zero.

That’s what every team wants.