In its simplest terms, safety culture is a measure of how a company values safety and the steps it takes to convey that value to employees. Performing regular site audits to identify and correct jobsite hazards, engaging employees on worksite safety, evaluating workers’ perception of worksite safety and monitoring and correcting unsafe behaviors are key components to developing a strong safety culture. These steps communicate that safety is important to the company and is expected on the jobsite.
Impact of Safety Culture
Companies that view safety as an integral part of performing quality work tend to have a strong safety culture. Having a strong safety culture improves morale and maintains open lines of communication with workers, who see that the company cares about their health and welfare and preventing injuries and fatalities.
Addressing Safety Culture
Employers are ultimately responsible for workplace safety and health. Beyond day-to-day hazard control, employers should also take steps to assess and improve the safety culture of the workplace. This can be done by regularly inspecting the worksite for potential hazards, hiring dedicated safety personnel, giving regular toolbox talks, performing walkaround inspections and engaging with workers. It’s important that employers empower workers to take an active role in their safety. Workers should be knowledgeable about hazards, able to identify dangerous situations and have the right to stop the job to prevent an incident without fear of repercussions.
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