Our accident rate is rising along with our workers’ comp costs, and management wants me to reverse the trend. What can I do to encourage employees to work safely?
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Here’s what you had to say:
- We find that safety “gimmicks” work well. For example, we have had contests, giveaways, and a number of other approaches. The thing we have found is that most programs generate safer behavior, but it doesn’t last that long. So we’re always on the lookout for new things to try. By the way, don’t offer a super prize—like a car or a Hawaii vacation; employees will stop reporting accidents. — K.M.
- We found that we had to admit that most of our safety problems stemmed from a situation which we created—we talked about safety and we trained people, but we also sent a message that productivity was the most important thing. Our people quickly decided that our safety messages were lip service, and that they’d better cut a few safety corners if following safety procedures would slow production. Making an assumption that safe work would improve productivity, we started incentivizing our managers and supervisors on safety with less bonus emphasis on productivity. Over the last few quarters, it’s worked. Accidents are down and productivity is up. — C.B.
- Do some careful auditing of workplace activity. Ferret out situations in which the safe way to do something is not the easy way or the comfortable way. (I can’t hear with the earplugs in; it’s too hot with the helmet on.) Take steps to be sure that it’s not too hard to choose the safe route. — T.R.