It's no secret that the role of a safety manager is crucial to promoting employee safety and creating a culture of safety company-wide. But between developing training plans, responding to regulatory changes, and managing record-keeping, it can be challenging to keep up with the best part of the job: positively impacting the lives of the people you work with.
As a safety leader, you're in a special position to help the people around you— which is a privilege, and a big responsibility! In this article, we’ll explore actionable practices from the field that will help you become a more effective safety manager.
Accept that you aren’t the expert. One of the biggest roadblocks to reducing risks is a real or perceived view that the safety department doesn’t have the experience to make decisions that will affect jobs they haven’t done. That’s why it’s vital to involve experts from the frontline in your safety planning. Experienced workers are one of your most valuable resources in the field— so use them! Ask an experienced employee if you can shadow them for a day to learn about their work. Ask questions about their work and take notes. Doing so will help you better understand the challenges they're facing and go a long way toward building trust between your department and frontline workers.
Build a relationship with the team. This doesn’t mean creating forced friendships with everyone you work with. But it’s a fact that the more we like someone, the more we trust them— and mutual trust smooths the way for compliance and a better culture. Don’t be the guy who only shows up when it’s inspection time or when something goes wrong. Try to get to know members of your team as individuals. Know their names and learn about their family, interests, or hobbies (and don’t forget to smile!). Getting to know large teams can be challenging, which Is why we coach our managers to create opportunities for conversation in the field, at team meetings, and at company gatherings.
Be a good example. Talking the talk but not walking the walk is a good way to lose all credibility. As a safety leader, it’s crucial to model the behavior you want to see in employees. That means wearing your PPE, following all protocols, and being proactive about risks. When employees see you embodying the behavior and attitude you want to cultivate in the team, they’ll be more receptive to adopting those traits themselves.
We know that mastering the role of a safety manager is an ongoing process that goes beyond merely enforcing rules; it’s about actively shaping your company’s culture and making safety a core value. Leveraging the insights of frontline workers, building genuine relationships with your team, and leading by example ensures will not only strengthen your role as a safety leader but also contribute to a safer, more cohesive workplace. If you want resources and support to help every employee reach their full potential, contact us at billsims.org for a free consultation!
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