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When it’s Important to Stay in the Know.
Taking Workplace Safety Complacency Out of the Equation
An efficient workplace is a well-oiled machine — one where team members understand their tasks and are ready to get to work with little to no added guidance required. Of course, there is such a thing as becoming too comfortable on the job.
When team members remain in the same position for an extended period, or when their work involves repetitive actions, it can result in complacency that places safety at risk. The best thing an employer can do is to encourage a culture focused on safety. Read on for tips from your BCH team for spotting complacent behavior, stopping it in its tracks and creating a safer working environment when it matters.
Complacency Takes Many Forms in the Modern-Day Work Environment
Rushing Through Tasks
Skipping Important Safety Steps During a Task
Multitasking
Engaging in Distracting Activities While Performing a Task
Listening and/or Singing Along to Music
Watching Television or Videos
Becoming Distracted by Mobile Devices
Responding to Phone Calls or Texts
Taking Part in Attention-Stealing Conversations with Team Members
Take Active Steps to Encourage a Culture Where Safety Sits Front and Center
Keep Safety Top of Mind: The key to creating a successful safety culture and avoiding complacency concerns in your workplace is to establish safety as a top priority among employees. Be sure to keep safety top of mind within your organization by utilizing eye-catching workplace safety signage, requiring routine safety training, and holding regular staff meetings to discuss the importance of recognizing job hazards and taking proper precautions.
Enforce Safety Policies and Procedures: Make sure you clearly communicate all workplace safety policies and procedures to staff. Further, ensure you follow through with proper consequences in the event that an employee fails to uphold such policies or procedures (e.g., having the employee complete additional training or work with a mentor).
Refrain from Repetitive Routines: Employees who perform repetitive tasks are more likely to become complacent on the job. If possible, try to regularly rotate repetitive tasks between staff to help your employees maintain a sense of variety in their routines and reduce their risk of complacency.
Implement an Observation Program: Behavior-based safety observations (BBSOs) allow employees to audit one another while they perform workplace tasks, looking out for potential safety concerns. Having your employees routinely participate in BBSOs will help them remedy poor workplace habits or behaviors, identify additional areas for improvement and become more comfortable voicing safety concerns with each other.
Listen to Your Staff: Lastly, make sure you value your employees’ input on workplace safety. Always ask staff to share their ideas for potential safety improvements and take any feedback seriously. Also, ensure all employees know how to properly report and respond to workplace safety incidents — including near-misses.
The best way to avoid potentially dangerous scenarios is to encourage every team member to be on the lookout for unsafe behaviors. Here, we cover the causes behind complacent behavior — and tips for keeping teams safely on track.
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With risk management tools to make easy work of tracking incidents, training employees and taking steps to create safer environments, our Risk Management Center (RMC) is all about looking out for what matters, when it matters.
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