Your team is struggling to follow safety procedures. How can you help them stay on track?

1 Assess the situation

The first step is to understand why your team is not following safety procedures. Is it because they are unaware of them, or do they find them too complicated, irrelevant, or inconvenient? Do they have the right tools, equipment, and training to comply with them? Do they face any barriers, challenges, or risks that prevent them from doing so? You can use surveys, interviews, observations, or audits to gather feedback from your team and identify the root causes of the problem.

2 Communicate the benefits

The next step is to communicate the benefits of following safety procedures to your team. Explain how they can protect them from injuries, illnesses, or accidents, and how they can improve their performance, productivity, and quality of work. Use clear, simple, and positive language, and avoid jargon, threats, or blame. You can also use stories, examples, or testimonials to illustrate the benefits and consequences of safety behaviors. Make sure your team understands the purpose, expectations, and outcomes of each safety procedure, and how they align with the organizational goals and values.

3 Provide incentives and feedback

The third step is to provide incentives and feedback to your team to encourage and reinforce their safety behaviors. Incentives can be tangible, such as rewards, recognition, or bonuses, or intangible, such as praise, appreciation, or trust. Feedback can be formal, such as performance reviews, or informal, such as comments, suggestions, or corrections. You can also use gamification, competition, or peer support to make safety fun and engaging. However, be careful not to use incentives and feedback as a substitute for safety procedures, or to create a culture of fear, pressure, or complacency.

5 Lead by example

The fifth step is to lead by example and model the safety behaviors you expect from your team. You should follow the safety procedures yourself, and show your commitment, enthusiasm, and responsibility for safety. You should also demonstrate your care, support, and respect for your team, and acknowledge their efforts and contributions. You should also be open, honest, and transparent about your safety goals, challenges, and learnings. By leading by example, you can inspire, influence, and empower your team to follow safety procedures and create a culture of safety in your workplace.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?