When I decided to write a topic about safety leadership, I started by thinking about the safety leaders that I have and currently work with, the qualities that I see in them, as well as what qualities I want to convey as I progress through my career.

To me, being a great safety leader is not about the accolades or the titles, but more about the “presence”. What I mean by “presence” is the active engagement by safety leaders with all levels of employees, from the newest worker to the most senior executive. A safety leader who is present and participates in the program, something as simple as wearing the correct personal protective equipment, shows employees that safety is a part of their beliefs, or someone who “talks the talk and walks the walk”.

An important quality that I believe makes a good leader is one that genuinely cares about their staff and demonstrates their commitment to safety in the workplace. These qualities are not unique nor are they specific to a health and safety field. Leaders that actively engage with employees at all levels should have empathy for their workers and regularly demonstrates it if they want their safety programs to be effective and successful.

For safety to be at the forefront of a workplace, leadership must care about its workers and show that commitment. A top-down approach to safety (from CEO to the entry-level employee) will promote a positive culture within an organization that will have long-lasting benefits to reducing workplace injuries and improving employee morale and retention. Commitments to safety can come in different forms; by rewarding/recognizing active participation in a safety program or to accepting feedback on workplace safety issues and concerns, both the positive and the negative, safety leaders can learn and adapt the safety program to the needs of the workers and the organization.

Consistent communication in the context of safety will help the leader drive an organizations safety mentality. By incorporating safety into all conversations, it becomes a core value of the organization, and not just a legal obligation. Strong communication will also show accountability to the workers. By recognized and clearly communicating individual roles in safety, it promotes the message that everyone is responsible for safety throughout the organization.

Leaders that are able to combine and adhere to these elements will create a strong culture of workplace safety where people will want to work safely and sustain it for longer. It is these qualities that I have seen in my mentors and the leaders I have worked with that has driven me to embrace safety in all aspects of my work and personal life to become a more effective and inclusive safety professional.

References:

1. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/19549-safety-leadership-seven-practices-of-great-safety-leaders

2. https://www.wsps.ca/Information-Resources/Topics/Leadership-to-Promote-a-Culture-of-Safety.aspx