Safety Culture

I have been working in EHS for the past 15 years at several different companies. Each company has had a different safety culture and I have used different techniques to get employee buy in and participation.

The most recent event I did to get employee buy in was a safety week, and if you know me this is not me. But when you need drastic change you have to take drastic measures and that may mean stepping out of your comfort zone. We spent the week doing different activities that got people talking about safety. At the end of the week we had a site wide BBQ and the employees got to sign the wall pledging to work safe. The art work was done by one of the sites unofficial leaders. At first many people did not want to sign and they were told that is okay and we talked about safety. As the event went on those that did not want to sign came back and said they changed their mind safety is important and they want to be a part of the activity. Plus who doesn't want to get to write on the wall. The markers were left out as the night went on and people took it and made it there own. They drew pictures by their name and wrote in their native language. Contractors and vendors that came to the building often asked if they could sign. By the end of the day the board was full and I had a conversation about safety with each of our employees. Often in safety you are telling people no and stuff they can not do, I took this opportunity to tell people yes and let them color on the walls. They loved it.

This idea would not have worked everywhere and it was outside of the box thinking for me, to color on the wall. I had a lot of doubt as we lead up to the activity. Mixed reviews from everyone. At the end of the day I am glad I stuck with it, watching everyone leave their mark for safety is the start for the cultural change that we are going for.

Cultural change is baby steps, I would love to say I know where to find the pixie dust to make it happen all at once. What works at one company may not work at another. Employee involvement is a requirement to change a safety culture. How you get that involvement varies by company. Change dose not happen over night.

This event helped me grow as well, I stepped out of my comfort zone and did what I knew this work force would enjoy.