You're a safety manager and need to get employees to report hazards. What's the best way to do it?

Having spoken to hundreds of Safety Managers around this topic, the main barrier preventing hazard reporting is time taken out of the day to day to complete the report. A huge driver in overcoming this is leveraging convenient technology such as QR codes to immediately complete a simple form, and alert the relevant individuals of the hazard. To maintain longer term engagement with hazard reporting, the feedback loop needs to be closed. Again leveraging technology to automatically send copies of completed report forms, with further actions that have been imposed following the hazard report, is instrumental in allowing staff to see the difference they are making as an individual by reporting. Once staff see this, the benefits become clear.

Clarifying the benefits of hazard reporting goes beyond safety. Emphasize that it's not merely about preventing accidents; it's a collective effort to enhance work processes and overall efficiency. Showcase success stories where hazard reporting led to tangible improvements, saving costs and fostering a safer environment. Moreover, highlight the positive impact on individual and team recognition, rewards, and feedback. This narrative transforms hazard reporting from a duty to a shared responsibility, instilling a sense of pride and ownership among employees, contributing to a robust safety culture.

Firstly, you need to explain the benefits of hazard reporting. Preventing accidents and injuries, taking ownership of safety and enhancing operational efficiency are all key themes that should be highlighted. Next, you need to make it easy to report. The last thing an employee wants is a long drawn-out manual process that takes time and effort. Roll out a hazard reporting app such as that offered by Notify Technology and watch your engagement soar. Finally, you need to close the feedback loop. Employees are far more likely to be motivated to report hazards, if they get recognition and they can see action is being taken post a report. Show them how their contribution is positively impacting the overall safety performance of the business.

Promote open communication, simplify reporting procedures with user-friendly tools, and offer anonymity to encourage employees to report hazards without fear. Acknowledge and reward reporting efforts promptly, integrate reporting into routine activities, and demonstrate tangible actions taken in response. Leadership support, regular communication, and a continuous improvement focus will solidify the importance of hazard reporting, fostering a proactive and safety-conscious workplace.

Process Safety culture is doing the right things when no one around you in the plant. When you nourish process safety culture, employees become more safety cautious about the occupational safety and process safety as well. Convey the message that its always the system failure behind any incident rather blaming the individuals. In running plants hazards are dynamic in nature so empower your employees with latest tools to visualize the current state of hazards. When they visualize the real state of hazards it will prompt them to report when hazards cross the ALARP threshold.

A basic awareness training course for hazard spotting supported by a simple safety concern form, address the reports immediately, identifying the risks, implement remedial actions and then investigate long term controls and actions. Make this highly visible on communications boards. We have a reward system in place to help promote safety culture

Massive believer in making them easy to report, previous role we introduced QR codes which were dotted around the work space, seen a good jump in numbers. Ultimately providing feedback on everyone to show they are being noticed, even if the action cannot be completed explain why and thank them for the participation.

To get employees to report hazards: Talk about why it's important. Let them report anonymously. Teach them how to spot hazards. Reward those who report. Benefits: Stop accidents early, create safer culture, follow laws, and keep improving safety.

I would argue that consistency rather than significance is what should be rewarded. I'm not a fan of 'Best safety observation of the month' style incentives, as that rewards only the person who was in the right place at the right time. IF: Person A engages regularly in reporting hazards or safety observations, and reports 10 safety observations in a month, And, Person B doesn't usually bother, but one day sees something dramatic and reports it. Who deserves recognition? The person who consistently plays an active part, or the person who once saw something obvious or exciting and reported it? For me, it's obvious that we should be incentivising effective and consistent engagement, and not purely the big ticket items.

From my experience as an EHS Manager, when employees are appreciated and even rewarded for identifying and reporting hazards in the workplace they will report more.

Get people to report hazards.... "Hazard Recognition" and reward the person who reports the biggest hazard. It also removes the "telling tails" arguments

Acknowledge reports promptly, thank them personally, and provide constructive feedback. Offer rewards like vouchers or certificates. Showcase their reports as examples of good practice and share their achievements with others. Appreciation boosts motivation for confident and frequent hazard reporting.

For you to encourage workers to report hazard, you must; Educate them on what hazard is, How to identify hazards, How hazards cause harm Impact of hazard on their well-being and job continuity Give them good orientation on hazard through high impact video shows. Let them know they are heroes and lives are saved when they report hazard Finally, recognize them and give incentives.

Create a culture of safety where reporting “near misses” is celebrated - not considered a reason for dismissal. Every worker deserves to go home from the workplace to their family and friends.

One of the best things that supervisors and managers can do is to build trust between themselves and their direct reports. Building trust is foundational, which is intertwined with having common values and beliefs, that are foundational for the organization.

This is without doubt the most important part of the process. Without taking consistent, effective action, no amount of incentives or campaigns will lead to sustainable hazard reporting. If we all make resolving reported hazards a top priority, we will drive far more meaningfull Engagement than any reward of incentive will. The magic happens when we consistently take action AND incentivise, promote and campaign for more engagement. But the key is to listen to the reports, and to take action to address them, both effectively and in a timely manner.

Follow up on reported hazards: Investigate thoroughly. Implement corrective measures. Monitor results. Communicate progress to employees and organization. Demonstrate commitment to safety, build trust, and enhance credibility.

Involve employees in hazard management: Seek their input on hazards. Encourage suggestions for solutions. Engage them in implementing safety measures. Keep them informed about progress. Boosts ownership, fosters teamwork, and enhances safety culture.

Review and improve hazard management: Solicit feedback from employees. Assess effectiveness of current procedures. Collaborate on enhancing safety measures. Implement changes based on input. Promotes continuous improvement and empowers employees in safety initiatives.

La première étape essentielle consiste à engager activement les travailleurs en leur expliquant l'importance du reporting en matière de sécurité. Il est crucial de leur fournir les moyens nécessaires, comme une application ou une plateforme dédiée, pour faciliter ce processus. Le reporting doit être encouragé pour obtenir une vision précise de la situation sécuritaire réelle. De plus, une formation et une sensibilisation appropriées des travailleurs sont nécessaires pour garantir leur compréhension et leur capacité à réaliser efficacement ce reporting.