Steven Segura CHST’s Post

Building on my post last week about the role of relationships in cultivating a thriving safety culture, I’d like to share some steps that have helped our team embody these principles in our daily operations. 1. Personal Check-ins and Team Meetings: Regular, informal check-ins with team members have proven invaluable. Bonus points if these take place in the field! These moments are opportunities to discuss safety concerns, gather feedback, and build trust. Coupled with structured team meetings focused on safety, they create a balanced approach to communication. 2. Safety Champions: Identifying and empowering 'safety champions' within different departments has been a game-changer. These individuals serve as liaisons between their peers and leadership, ensuring that safety messages are effectively communicated and that concerns are promptly addressed. 3. Open-door Policy: An open-door policy is more than just a phrase—it's a commitment. By making ourselves available and approachable, we encourage employees to share their thoughts without fear of judgment or reprisal. This transparency fosters a sense of collective ownership over our safety program. 4. Recognizing and Rewarding Safe Behavior: Recognition programs that celebrate employees who demonstrate outstanding commitment to safety are essential. Whether through formal awards or simple acknowledgments during meetings, these gestures reinforce the importance of safety and motivate others to follow suit. 5. Collaborative Safety Audits: Involving team members in safety audits has turned a routine process into a collaborative effort. Employees provide valuable insights and feel more invested in the outcomes, which drives continuous improvement and a shared sense of responsibility. Once again, bonus points for taking this to the field! 6. Leading by Example: Leadership isn’t just about making decisions; it’s about embodying the values we promote. By consistently demonstrating safe practices, we set a standard that resonates throughout the organization. By integrating these steps, we’ve seen a noticeable shift in our safety culture—one where every team member feels empowered and accountable. The journey to a robust safety culture is ongoing, but with strong relationships and committed leadership, we’re making strides every day. I’m eager to hear how others are fostering safety cultures within their organizations. What strategies have worked for you? #DoneRight

Joshua B.

Innovative Problem Solver | Aspiring Leader

3mo

Thank you for sharing! I find that being approachable (open-door) with forward looking solutions rather than criticism or deflection are paramount. Its imperative to create a mentally safe environment. This segues into leading by example as well. Many places claim to have an open door policy, but the law of the picture tells us that people can clearly see what this means. It’s what we do, not what we say. It can be challenging to break away from company culture, group think, or norms, for example, managing a fast-paced environment to make time for informal check-ins; however, as a friend of mine once said, “Give yourself permission to be different.” What I’ve always done was rather than needing to make time for informal check-ins, I work to increase my contact points by walking a certain path or a slow path to increase the probability of an informal check-in. Rain or shine, I much prefer to park in the farthest parking space and walk through the front door than the door closest to my office.

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