Loss of production due to mandatory shutdowns, toxic releases, or spills are often less calculated events that can significantly impact an industry’s capital. In addition, companies bear other costs, such as damage to their brand reputation.
Given the extensive skills and experience of workers, combined with their knowledge of safety procedures and policies, many workers feel confident in their ability to manage the inherent risks of their jobs. However, this belief in their expertise can ironically introduce a real hazard—complacency.
One of the biggest dilemmas in safety is that workers may find unsafe behavior rewarding in some way—whether it's getting the job done more quickly or bypassing PPEs because they believe they can handle the situation (until, of course, they cannot, and a disaster occurs).
The behavior aspect of safety often pulls everything together. If a task is completed successfully despite shortcuts or unsafe work practices, it can create a dangerous precedent. Subordinates may see this behavior as acceptable and repeat it in the future, creating a larger scale of unsafe behavior within the workplace. Over time, this tendency can incline the safety culture toward becoming a self-reinforcing social pattern that resists change. Only when an unsafe act results in a serious injury or accident do workers recognize the consequences of their behavior.
The Solution?
To combat this false sense of security, employees must stay risk conscious while performing their tasks. Safety management systems should be in place, ensuring that complex tasks are never approached with poor, unsafe practices. Well-defined safety procedures like LOTO (Lockout/Tagout), permit-to-work, Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) must be in place to act as safeguards against complacency in the workplace.
Rewarding safe behaviors and highlighting unsafe ones can help set a positive example for other employees. However, these initiatives need to be sustainable for the long term. Mobile applications can be a useful tool for workers, enabling them to report unsafe acts or raise queries through a hazard reporting app. When workers share actual photos or text about unsafe conditions, it increases transparency and promotes a culture of safety.
Additionally, animated videos highlighting safety dos and don'ts—especially those that replicate real-life workplace scenarios—can be effective in raising awareness about the consequences of unsafe behaviors.
Tracking employees as they enter hazard-prone areas can prevent unintended consequences. Modern wearables with sensors now allow employers to monitor workers’ vitals and activity in real time, ensuring safety in high-risk zones. High-visibility safety gear can also be provided to enhance the visibility and safety of workers.
An industry’s approach to safety should be innovative and in line with technology, as it can significantly influence worker behavior. Take, for example, Nova Group Inc., a heavy construction contractor based in the U.S. They successfully integrated safety, environmental, and quality teams on a unit that used underwater winches to lower a stainless steel pipe frame. The project used underwater cameras to conduct both initial and post-repair inspections, saving over 300 exposure hours for divers—without any injuries, near misses, or accidents. This is an excellent example of how technology can prevent risks and improve safety.
Nova’s Construction Hazards & Injury Prevention System (CHIPS) program recognizes safe behaviors through various incentives, such as monetary rewards, on-the-spot recognition, Employee of the Month awards, milestone celebrations, and safety commitment coins.
Changing Behavior for Safety
Changing behavior to work in favor of safety is essential. Employees must be proactive, consistently stopping work for brief intervals to observe their actions and those of their coworkers. This practice increases personal awareness and helps improve the overall safety culture. Regular training and mentoring programs are essential for recognizing hazards and risks without bias. This approach can transform dangerous practices and address potential problems before they escalate.
For more support in enhancing your workplace safety culture, you can partner with Core EHS. Learn more about our Safety Staffing Services to help you build a safer, more compliant work environment.