Here's how you can foster a culture of psychological safety for reporting safety concerns.
Creating a workplace where employees feel secure in voicing safety concerns is not just a matter of compliance; it's about building a foundation of trust and openness. Psychological safety, a term coined by Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, refers to an environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing and being themselves without fear of negative consequences to self-image, status, or career. In a psychologically safe workplace, employees are more likely to report errors, near-misses, and safety hazards, which is crucial for preventing accidents and fostering continuous improvement.