Humanizing Safety: The Need to See the Human

In the modern corporate environment, the tendency to objectify people - treating them as numbers, machines, or pieces to be controlled - has proven counterproductive and even harmful. According to a 2023 Gallup study, only 23% of employees globally feel engaged at work, highlighting the importance of approaching employees as complex and unique individuals, not merely as resources to be managed. Humanizing safety means recognizing this fundamental essence of human nature. People are, indeed, fallible and unpredictable, but these characteristics also make them adaptable, resilient, and curious. A 2024 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) indicates that organizations adopting a people-centered approach to occupational safety and health experience 37% fewer workplace accidents and 45% higher productivity.

In safety, it's crucial to understand that errors can occur. However, instead of blaming, we should create an environment where failure is an opportunity for learning and improvement. The concept of "Just Culture," popularized by Sidney Dekker, emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where people feel safe to report errors and incidents without fear of unfair punishment.

People have an intrinsic need to be heard and respected. When we see the individual in their entirety, we strengthen a safety environment where everyone feels valued. A 2023 Harvard Business Review study showed that companies with cultures that promote respect and appreciation for employees have 54% lower turnover rates and 89% higher job satisfaction levels.

Impact on Safety Practice and Building a Safety Culture

Adopting a humanized approach has a profound impact on safety practice. Employees begin to feel that their concerns are taken seriously, creating a more open environment for dialogue and risk reporting. A 2024 National Safety Council study revealed that organizations with a strong and humanized safety culture reported 70% fewer safety incidents compared to those adopting more traditional and punitive approaches.

The fear of punishment gives way to learning, and the focus shifts to collaborative problem-solving. According to a 2023 survey by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), 82% of safety professionals believe that a non-punitive approach to errors and incidents significantly improves safety culture and employees' willingness to report problems.

In building a safety culture, focusing on people is even more essential. A solid safety culture depends on a network of trusting relationships, where everyone feels part of a common goal. The 2024 DuPont "Global Safety Culture" report indicates that organizations with mature and humanized safety cultures are 5 times more likely to be leaders in their sectors in terms of financial performance and employee satisfaction.

By recognizing and valuing human nature, we promote an environment where respect and empathy are pillars, increasing everyone's adherence and commitment to safety practices. A longitudinal study conducted by the University of Michigan over 5 years (2019-2024) demonstrated that companies implementing people-centered safety programs saw a 63% reduction in workplace accidents and a 41% increase in productivity.

10 Practical Recommendations to Humanize People and Inspire Safety

1. Listen Actively: Value employees' opinions and concerns. Attentive listening creates an environment of respect and openness. A 2023 Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) study showed that employees who feel heard are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to do their best work.
2. Foster Open Dialogue: Encourage conversations about safety where everyone can share experiences and suggestions without fear of judgment. Implementing "safety moments" programs at the beginning of meetings can increase safety awareness by 73%, according to a 2024 American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) study.
3. Promote Continuous Learning: Replace punishment with education. Offer frequent training that addresses safety in a practical and applied manner. Companies that invest in continuous safety learning record 52% fewer accidents, according to the 2024 "State of Workplace Safety Training" report.
4. Recognize and Value Efforts: Celebrate achievements and good safety practices, no matter how small. Recognition reinforces positive behaviors. A 2023 Deloitte study showed that well-structured recognition programs can increase engagement in safety practices by up to 87%.
5. Be Transparent: Communicate decisions and changes clearly and honestly. Transparency generates trust and engagement. A 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer survey revealed that 76% of employees consider transparency as the most important factor in building trust in leadership.
6. Involve the Team in Decisions: Engage employees in creating and implementing safety measures. This increases the sense of belonging and responsibility. The 2023 OSHA "Employee Involvement in Safety" report indicates that companies with high employee involvement in safety decisions have 50% fewer workplace accidents.
7. Develop Empathy: Understand the realities and challenges faced by employees. Putting yourself in someone else's shoes strengthens bonds and promotes a more human approach. A 2024 Center for Creative Leadership study showed that leaders with high levels of empathy have teams with 40% less turnover and 26% higher engagement.
8. Offer Psychological Support: Provide resources for employees to deal with stress and pressure. Emotional support is vital for safety and well-being. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), workplace psychological support programs can reduce absenteeism by up to 30% and increase productivity by 25%.
9. Encourage Autonomy: Allow people to make informed decisions about safety in their own work. Autonomy promotes a sense of responsibility. A 2023 McKinsey survey revealed that employees with greater autonomy are 2.3 times more likely to engage in safe behaviors at work.
10. Cultivate Mutual Respect: Treat everyone with respect, regardless of hierarchical position. Respect is the foundation for a sustainable and humanized safety culture. The 2024 "Global Workplace Respect Index" showed that organizations with high levels of mutual respect have 66% fewer harassment incidents and 58% higher talent retention.izing safety is, therefore, a direct investment in workers' health and well-being and, consequently, in the effectiveness and sustainability of any organization. A comprehensive 2024 World Economic Forum study concluded that companies adopting a humanized approach to employee safety and well-being have a significant competitive advantage, with an average increase of 22% in profitability and 35% in customer satisfaction.

Moreover, the growing emphasis on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in corporate practices reinforces the importance of a humanized approach to safety. Companies with strong people-centered safety practices score on average 40% higher in ESG assessments, according to Bloomberg's 2024 "ESG and Workplace Safety" report.

In conclusion, humanizing safety is not just a trend, but an imperative necessity for modern organizations. By recognizing and valuing human nature in all its complexities, companies not only improve their safety indicators but also create healthier, more productive, and resilient work environments. After all, as well put in the original article, without people, we have nothing. And it is through genuine care for these people that we build truly safe and successful organizations.

Would you like to learn more about my work? Purchase my books released in 2024 through the links below.

80 Ways to Expand Risk Perception: https://amzn.to/3VbWlAV

Safety Culture: https://bit.ly/3x8IDXm

Safety Culture Diagnosis: https://amzn.to/3XfnBkt

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