Building a Strong Workplace Safety Culture

How do I implement these steps in my workplace? #

1. How to Lead by Example #

This is about making your commitment to safety visible and undeniable.

• Be Present and Prepared: Regularly walk through your work areas. When you do, always wear the exact same Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for the workers in that area, even for a five-minute visit. This simple act speaks volumes.

• Start Every Meeting with a “Safety Moment”: Make safety the first item on the agenda for every meeting, not just operational ones. It can be a brief story, a review of a recent near-miss (without blame), or a tip related to the season, like safe winter driving or hydration in the summer.

• Challenge Unsafe Practices Directly: If you see something unsafe, address it immediately and respectfully. Similarly, if you see a production or deadline pressure compromising a safety procedure, you must be the one to say, “We will not proceed until this is done safely.” This proves that safety trumps all other priorities.

2. How to Encourage Reporting #

This is about building psychological safety so employees feel comfortable speaking up.

• Establish a Simple, Multi-Channel System: Don’t rely on a single, complicated form. Offer multiple ways to report, such as a physical drop-box, a simple online form, a dedicated email address, or even reporting directly to a supervisor or Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) member. The key is accessibility.

• Create a “No-Blame” Reporting Policy: Formally write and communicate a policy that guarantees no retaliation for reporting a hazard, an error, or a near-miss. Emphasize that the goal is to learn from the event and improve the system, not to punish the individual.

• Close the Loop: This is the most critical step for building trust. Create a “You Said, We Did” board (physical or digital). When a hazard is reported, post it. Then, post the actions taken to resolve it. If you can’t fix something, explain why. When people see that their reports lead to tangible change, they will continue to report.

3. How to Recognize Safe Behavior #

This shifts the focus from punishment for mistakes to reinforcement of positive actions.

• Be Specific and Immediate: Instead of waiting for a formal review, give positive feedback on the spot. Say, “Thanks, Sarah, for cleaning up that spill right away. That prevented a potential slip hazard for everyone.” This immediate, specific praise is highly effective.

• Launch a Peer-to-Peer Recognition Program: Create “Safety Champion” cards that employees can give to a colleague they see doing something exceptionally safe. These can be entered into a monthly draw for a small prize like a gift card, a company-branded item, or lunch with a manager.

• Celebrate Leading Indicators: Publicly celebrate proactive measures, not just the absence of accidents. Acknowledge teams that have the highest number of reported (and resolved) hazards, the best housekeeping scores, or the most valuable safety suggestions.

4. How to Integrate Safety into Onboarding #

This ensures that safety is understood as a core value from day one.

• Make Safety the First Impression: A senior leader—not just an HR or safety officer—should personally welcome new hires on their first day and speak passionately about the company’s commitment to their well-being.

• Assign a Safety Mentor: Pair each new employee with an experienced, safety-conscious team member for their first few weeks. This mentor can answer questions and model safe work habits in a low-pressure environment.

• Empower Them from the Start: During onboarding, explicitly explain their right and responsibility to refuse unsafe work, as outlined by Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Give them clear instructions on how to use their “Stop Work Authority” if they ever feel a task is unsafe for themselves or others.

By consistently applying these practical steps, you will move from simply having safety rules to creating a true culture where every employee is an active participant in keeping the workplace safe.