Employers may think that their employees know how much they care about safety, but a 2016 safety perception survey by the National Safety Council tells a different story:
Only 52% of employees believed safety issues were prioritized relative to production.
Only 37% of employees believed there was safety training in new employee orientation.
Only 27% of employees believed that management cared about employee safety.
Only 11% of employees believed that management was sincere in safety efforts.
Only 10% believed that management was setting a positive example of safety.
Building a safety culture begins with proper communication. Effective communication always begins with a message. The message here is that safety is always a priority. That's the message you want transferred into the hearts and minds of all your employees on a daily basis. Keep your communication simple. One safety message at a time, directly stated, so that it is easily heard and understood. Failure to communicate safety information effectively can have serious negative consequences, including:
Consistent accidents, injuries, and illness
Lost workdays, reduced productivity, and delays
Risk taking by employees
Higher workers’ compensation and health insurance costs
Inability to bid on larger or government projects
Damage to materials, equipment, or your facility
Risks to community and environment (for example, in a release or improper disposal of hazardous chemicals)
Interested in learning more? Reach out to the SynchronyHR Risk Management team today!
*This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal counsel advice. For further information, please consult a risk management professional.