Getting behind on culture

Stats can be boring!! Plenty of metrics published, and readily available. What makes culture discussion interesting is, how to measure safety culture in your organization as a key metric for achieving an incident free workplace?

If you have been around construction industry long enough there is a chance you have experienced some form of injury to yourself or your fellow workers. I have been within the AEC industry for more than two decades and have witnessed many shapes and forms of safety culture. For starters let's define the four main four categories.

1. Level 1 Safety for compliance.
2. Level 2 Safety for protecting myself.
3. Level 3 Safety because it makes everyone around me safe.
4. Level 4 Safety because it's the right thing to do.

I have always been mesmerized by a question of safety compliance vs safety culture, and what takes precedence. What level of safety can a construction team achieve by emphasizing one aspect, or both are equally important to achieving a zero-incident culture. What if we are scoring low on compliance and high on culture or vice versa. With two decades on the construction field the truth to the matter is compliance is one of the KPI (key performance indicator) for maintaining & achieving a zero-incident safety culture, however it does very little to actually improve safety within workplace.

Improving safety culture involves fostering a workplace environment where safety is a core value and embraced by everyone. Here are some strategies to enhance safety culture:

1. Leadership Commitment: See and Be Seen. Demonstrate visible commitment to safety from top leadership. Allocate resources and time to prioritize safety initiatives.
2. Communication: Candid conversation. Huddle calls. Establish clear communication channels for reporting safety concerns. Encourage open dialogue about safety issues and solutions.
3. Training and Education: Provide comprehensive safety training for employees at all levels. Regularly update training programs to address evolving risks.
4. Employee Involvement: Involve employees in safety-related decision-making. Encourage employees to take an active role in identifying and reporting hazards.
5. Recognition and Rewards: Recognize and reward individuals and teams for safe behaviors Implement incentive programs to motivate adherence to safety protocols.
6. Safety Policies and Procedures: Develop and regularly update safety policies and procedures. Ensure that policies are clear, accessible, and followed consistently.
7. Incident Reporting and Investigation: Establish a robust system for reporting and investigating incidents. Use incidents as learning opportunities to improve safety measures.
8. Continuous Improvement: Regularly assess and reassess safety protocols for effectiveness. Implement a continuous improvement mindset to adapt to changing circumstances.
9. Safety Committees: Form safety committees that include representatives from various departments. Conduct regular meetings to discuss safety issues and improvements.
10. Technology and Tools: Utilize technology to enhance safety measures (e.g., sensors, monitoring systems). Provide employees with the necessary tools and equipment to work safely. Get away from clip boards. Plenty of software's to enhance user engagement.
11. Regular Audits and Inspections: Conduct regular safety audits and inspections. Address any identified deficiencies promptly.
12. Culture of Reporting Near Misses: Encourage reporting of near misses without fear of reprisal. Use near-miss data to proactively address potential hazards.
13. Benchmarking: Benchmark safety performance against industry standards. Learn from best practices and apply them to improve your safety culture.
14. Promote Work-Life Balance: Avoid situations that may lead to fatigue or stress, as these can contribute to accidents. Encourage employees to prioritize their well-being.

Remember, creating a positive safety culture is an ongoing process that requires commitment, communication, and collaboration from all levels of the organization.

Take proactive steps to initiate change. Act swiftly and be the driving force for transformation. Don't wait for the loss of a precious life to be your motivation. Act now, act first, and safeguard those you hold dear before it's too late.