Fostering a positive safety culture within an organisation is no easy task, especially for safety professionals who are often on the front lines of this critical mission. Despite best efforts, progress can sometimes feel elusive—like taking two steps forward and three steps back. But what if there was a way to make meaningful, lasting changes that could transform your workplace into a beacon of safety and wellbeing?
In our latest report, “Unpacking Safety Experiences: Employee Perceptions of Safety Climate“, we analysed nearly 30,000 survey responses from employees across various industries. The findings reaffirm the importance of adopting a holistic approach to safety—one that encompasses not only the physical aspects of the workplace but also the social and psychological dimensions. By understanding and implementing the key takeaways from this report, you can start cultivating a more mature and effective safety culture today.
5 Essential Takeaways from Our Latest Report
1. Going Beyond Physical Safety
When we think of safety in the workplace, physical safety is often the first thing that comes to mind—proper equipment, workplace design, and protective gear are all crucial. However, focusing solely on these elements can lead to stagnation in safety performance. Our research highlights that social and psychological factors are equally important in creating a truly safe work environment.
For instance, when employees feel socially and psychologically safe, they are more likely to report safety incidents, identify potential risks and remain vigilant. This integrated approach ensures that safety becomes an ingrained part of the workplace culture rather than just a checklist item.
2. The Social Experience of Safety
The social dynamics within a workplace play a pivotal role in fostering a positive safety culture. Strong team bonds lead to better communication, trust and a willingness to speak up about safety concerns. Our research shows that when employees feel supported within their teams, they are more likely to take personal responsibility for safety and engage in proactive safety behaviours.
However, organisational level support often falls short in this area. Employees frequently report feeling unsupported when it comes to managing mistakes. They also report workforce exclusion from decision-making, a lack of recognition for safe behaviour, and challenges with change communications. Addressing these areas can lead to impactful improvements in your overall safety culture.
3. The Importance of the Psychological Experience of SafetyÂ
The psychological experience of safety is essential to fostering a workplace culture where employees feel secure and valued. However, many organisations struggle to address it effectively.
According to our findings, reluctance to challenge the status quo and a lack feedback regarding performance are key areas requiring improvement. When employee suggestions are ignored or feedback loops are left incomplete, a culture of hesitation and blame can emerge. In these workplace environments, employees may fear retribution for suggesting changes, stifling innovation and ultimately, impacting mental health and wellbeing.
Organisations that excel in managing the psychological experience create a culture of learning and collaboration. They acknowledge and respect individual skills, recognise contributions, and ensure that leaders are accessible and open to discussing new ideas.
Not only does incorporating a focus on the psychological safety of employees have benefits at an organisational-level, but it can also improve wellbeing, mental health, and stress-levels. This leads to happier people who thrive at work and home – and who doesn’t want that?
4. Moving Ahead with Positive Safety
Our report also underscores the importance of adopting and fostering a Positive Safety approach—a strategy that goes beyond merely preventing accidents to actively enhancing employees’ quality of life.
By integrating physical, social, and psychological factors into long-term safety plans, organisations can take a holistic approach to safety and enhance their safety culture. This not only reduces incidents but also boosts job satisfaction and overall performance.
It’s essential to remember that these three dimensions of safety are interconnected and must be addressed together. Ignoring one aspect can undermine the effectiveness of your entire safety strategy.
5. Learning from Leading Organisations
Lastly, our report found that organisations with mature safety cultures prioritise holistic safety measures. They view incident investigations as opportunities to learn and improve, rather than as failures. These organisations also ensure that safety is a top priority at all levels of management and create environments where employees feel supported and encouraged to innovate.
By committing to holistic safety practices, these leading organisations have achieved better outcomes not just for their employees, but for the business as a whole.
Conclusion
The journey to fostering a positive safety culture is ongoing, requiring continuous effort, reflection and adaptation. By embracing a holistic approach to safety—one that includes physical, social, and psychological dimensions—you can create a work environment where safety is not just the absence of harm, but the presence of wellbeing and productivity.
