What do you do if employees struggle to handle delegated safety responsibilities?

1 Identify the root cause

The first step to address any issue with delegated safety responsibilities is to identify the root cause of the problem. Why are your employees struggling? Is it because they lack the skills, knowledge, or resources to perform the tasks? Is it because they are not motivated, interested, or committed to safety? Is it because they face conflicting demands, expectations, or priorities from other managers or colleagues? By asking these questions, you can pinpoint the source of the difficulty and tailor your response accordingly.

3 Set clear expectations and consequences

The third step is to set clear expectations and consequences for your employees who are struggling with delegated safety responsibilities. Expectations are the standards, criteria, or outcomes that you want them to achieve or follow. Consequences are the rewards or penalties that you will apply based on their performance or behavior. By setting clear expectations and consequences, you can communicate what you expect from your employees, how you will measure their progress, and how you will reward or correct them.

4 Empower and engage

The fourth step is to empower and engage your employees who are struggling with delegated safety responsibilities. Empowerment means giving them the authority, autonomy, and resources to make decisions and take actions related to their tasks. Engagement means involving them in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of safety initiatives, and encouraging them to share their ideas, opinions, and feedback. By empowering and engaging your employees, you can increase their sense of ownership, responsibility, and satisfaction with their roles.

6 Recognize and celebrate

The sixth step is to recognize and celebrate your employees who are struggling with delegated safety responsibilities. Recognition means acknowledging, appreciating, or praising their efforts, achievements, or improvements. Celebration means rewarding, celebrating, or sharing their successes, milestones, or accomplishments. By recognizing and celebrating your employees, you can boost their morale, confidence, and motivation, and reinforce their commitment to safety.