Engaged employees are the foundation of a safe, high-performing workplace. When individuals are invested in health and safety practices, they’re more likely to follow procedures, speak up about risks and support a proactive safety management system. But what are the best ways to develop employee engagement? In the article below, we’ll lead you through the steps involved in encouraging and establishing engagement within your organization.
Employee engagement is the “level of enthusiasm and dedication a worker feels toward their job.” Engaged employees tend to go beyond the bare minimum, showing initiative and aligning their actions with company values.
When it comes to health and safety, this commitment is shown in the determination to fully follow safety procedures and participate in safety initiatives. This can take many different forms, such as the following:
Actively reporting hazards or near misses
Wearing correct personal protective equipment (PPE)
Attending and actively participating in safety training sessions
Completing regular surveys or feedback forms
Following safety procedures
Taking part in safety audits or inspections
Suggesting improvements to processes or procedures
When employee involvement in health and safety is high, safety improves. Engaging employees in health and safety practices is one of the most effective ways to create a safe and productive working environment. Employees who feel empowered to complete their tasks in the safest, healthiest way are more likely to take ownership of safety responsibilities and contribute to a proactive working environment. Overtime, this leads to fewer accidents and less downtime or lower costs related to injuries and illness.
Engaged employees also tend to be more efficient and detail-oriented, which increases overall performance. High engagement can also lead to greater job satisfaction and deeper expertise, as individuals are more likely to stay, develop their skills and share knowledge across the organization.
There are a variety of methods that can be used to quantify employee engagement.
One of the most effective ways to measure engagement is inviting conversations around health and safety. Send out surveys or form to employees and leadership asking for feedback on the following:
Have you reported a hazard or incident in the last 6 months?
Do you believe your employer prioritizes safety?
Are health and safety policies clearly communicated to you?
Do you know where to find relevant health and safety procedures?
Are you aware of your responsibilities regarding health and safety?
Do you think the current safety measures in place are working?
Have you received adequate training to perform your job safely?
Do you feel equipped with the right tools and resources to stay safe at work?
Track the effects of recent safety initiatives and training to see how well employees engage with the content. For example, after executing a workshop on incident reporting, track the number of reported incidents and draw any relevant correlations. The more engaged employees are in workplace safety, the more effective these policies and procedures will be.
High employee retention rates typically correspond to high employee engagement, while frequent turnovers may be an indication of disengagement or unresolved health and safety concerns. Conduct exit surveys to see the specific reasons employees leave and determine potential areas of improvement that may be affecting engagement.
The following 7 steps can be used to ensure an increase in employee engagement around health and safety:
According to a recent study, organizations with dedicated leadership see a 70% or more increase in an engaged workforce, making it the most effective way to establish employee engagement. Leaders set the tone around safety initiatives and serve as role models for how safety policies should be followed. Empathetic leaders are also responsible for building an environment where employees have an outlet to speak their minds and feel like they have a voice when it comes to health and safety concerns.
Regular health and safety audits help ensure accountability and demonstrate continuous improvement. Involve employees in the process to deepen their level of engagement, as they can then stay in the loop regarding the most high-priority health and safety issues.
Establish an accessible system that allows employees to report incidents, near misses and hazards without fear of retaliation. Ensure they can track the progress of investigations, so they know their concerns are being taken seriously. This transparency builds trust, reinforces the value of reporting and encourages continued participation. Over time, consistent follow-through shows employees that their actions can lead to real change.
Provide your staff with thorough, helpful training relevant to their everyday tasks. A mix of coaching and independent training can be used to learn new skills while building competency through supervised practice. The more thorough the training, the more likely your employees will absorb the information and actively engage with health and safety practices.
Take the time to reward your employees for following and adopting health and safety standards. This will cultivate a work environment where safe actions turn into long-term habits. Strong leadership is critical to this step, as management is key to setting the tone for workplace safety.
Many organizations stress the importance of workplace safety, but adopting safety as a company core value ensures safe practices stay embedded in every aspect of the business. When employees see that their health and safety is prioritized, they are more likely to feel valued and reinvest their energy into supporting company initiatives.
Technology puts workplace safety in the hands of your workforce. Mobile EHS solutions allow workers to submit incident reports on the go, access critical safety information and complete EHS training. When workers are well informed, they become proactive participants in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
For more information on how our EHS management software can encourage your workforce to stay engaged, request a demo with one of our health and safety experts!