Several business owners have a robust team with up-to-date safety standards. However, gettingemployees to comply with safety rules can be a Herculean task. Most times, your industry and the size of your organization rarely matter.
It’s not even enough to have the right safety tools in this era; employees must use them correctly. It’s always easier for a company to adhere to OSHA standards when their team follows in-house safety rules.
Check out some effective ways to make your workers comply with safety standards.
1.Explain the reason why
It can be difficult to convince a team to be safety conscious if they don’t have an idea about the laws that govern it. Let them know that pushing them to comply is in their best interests and will boost their efficiency. Highlight other benefits that await them too.
Avoid using technical jargon. Rely on layman’s terms instead so that they will understand better.
2. Offer training
The best way to put your team through the intricacies of your safety standards is to organize a training program. This must be done even before introducing any safety strategy because they can only apply the rules correctly if they understand them.
During the training, explain the right time to use each tool and how to get the most out of it. Another thing is to share how to maintain, store, and dispose of them. In case you notice some lapses or discover they are not adhering to the safety policies, try organizing a refresher program.
Make sure you schedule new training each time you introduce new equipment or your workers need to handle new tasks.
3.Carry employees along
Create an environment where your employees can ask questions, and share safety concerns or feedbacks freely. Remember that they are at a higher risk of encountering first-hand hazards.They will be happier and more productive when they discover you value their feedback.
There are times a safety breach isn’t intentional. An employee may fail to comply because certain tools are uncomfortable or affect their efficiency. That said, get them involved when purchasing safety equipment and tools.
Communicating with workers will reveal strategies that are no longer effective or outdated.
4. Establish clear policies
Apart from ensuring that each employee has access to a copy of your safety policy, let them know that a corresponding disciplinary program exists too. This will play a great role in the success of your program.
You can be lenient with the first offense. However, it’s up to you to decide the consequences of repeated non-compliance with safety policies. Your disciplinary program should revolve around workers’ behaviors instead of the outcomes.
5. Hold managers accountable
At times, the reason for non-compliance can be traced to managers who failed to live up to expectations. Managers should lead by example if they want employees to comply with environmental health and safety rules and regulations.
Getting employees to comply with safety procedures isn’t something you’ll just set and leave. Make the rules visible, so that they can get familiar with them over time.
