How can you communicate with employees who are not following safety protocols?

1 Identify the root cause

Before you approach an employee who is not following safety protocols, try to understand why they are doing so. Is it because they are unaware, confused, careless, defiant, or pressured by others? Depending on the cause, you may need to adjust your communication style and strategy accordingly. For example, if they are unaware, you may need to provide more training and feedback; if they are confused, you may need to clarify the rules and expectations; if they are careless, you may need to emphasize the consequences and benefits of safety; if they are defiant, you may need to enforce the policies and consequences; and if they are pressured by others, you may need to address the peer influence and culture.

2 Use positive and constructive feedback

When you communicate with an employee who is not following safety protocols, avoid using harsh or accusatory language that may make them defensive or resentful. Instead, use positive and constructive feedback that focuses on the behavior, not the person, and that provides specific and actionable suggestions for improvement. For example, instead of saying "You are always ignoring the safety signs and putting yourself and others at risk", you could say "I noticed that you did not wear your safety goggles when you were working on the machine. This is a safety requirement that we all have to follow to prevent eye injuries. Next time, please make sure you wear them and check them for any damage before you start."

3 Explain the rationale and benefits of safety protocols

Sometimes employees may not follow safety protocols because they do not see the value or relevance of them, or they think they are unnecessary or inconvenient. To overcome this resistance, you can explain the rationale and benefits of the safety protocols, using facts, examples, and stories that illustrate how they can prevent accidents, injuries, and illnesses, and how they can improve the quality, efficiency, and productivity of the work. You can also appeal to their sense of responsibility and accountability, and show them how their actions affect not only themselves, but also their colleagues, customers, and the organization.

5 Monitor and follow up on safety performance

Finally, you can communicate with employees who are not following safety protocols by monitoring and following up on their safety performance, and providing ongoing support and guidance. You can use various tools and methods to track and measure their safety behavior, such as checklists, reports, surveys, observations, and audits. You can also provide regular and timely feedback, recognition, and coaching, and address any issues or gaps that arise. You can also review and update the safety protocols as needed, and communicate any changes or updates to the employees.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?