Safety awareness is the habit of thinking about the chance that someone can get hurt before a
task is started. Having policies and procedures is not enough. You need to make sure that
everyone is aware of them and that they think about safety in everything they do. Safety
awareness is making safety a priority in your workplace.
Ideas to Build Safety Awareness
o Entry Ways
What does it look like when you walk into your workplace, as an employee or a
customer? What are the first things you see? Is it related to production, quality, or
safety?
First impressions matter. They are sending the message of what is important at that
facility. Safety, quality, and productivity are all equal, so each should have equal
representation when walking in.
This could be a safety mission statement, current goals, or even a safety message.
Whatever it is, there should be something and it should be the same size or quantity as
the other business priorities.
o Posters/Banners
This is a given. When you say safety awareness, most people think of posters.
Definitely, don’t discount them. They are a must-have.
To make your safety posters most effective, only hang posters that are relevant to your
operations, or to your employees, and change them frequently; weekly or monthly at a
minimum. If you have multiple poster locations, you can move the posters around.
Changing the posters, or the locations, increases attention to the material. Our brains
like new things and the changeup will catch our attention.
o Clear Markings and Signage
All those yellow lines marking off walkways, storage areas, or aisles need to be visible
and not worn away. All the warning plaques need to be legible. All signage needs to be
in good condition.
Many times, we put this signage up with great intentions, but then they are never
replaced when needed. Just normal wear and tear, exposure to the elements, will wear
them out. They should be on a regular inspection/replacement schedule.
Poorly maintained safety signage sends the message that you don’t care. It is the little
things like this that matter the most when building safety awareness.
o Talking Safety
Safety should be discussed daily by the work team. This could be in the form of a pre-
shift meeting or a daily toolbox talk. There are many ways to talk about safety
throughout the day. The key is that the safety talk has to come from members of
management other than the safety manager.
Employees follow their direct supervisors and managers more than the “safety guy.”
This is why the safety message must come from them.
A great way to do this is by starting or ending every production-related conversation
with safety. Let’s say your supervisor needs to tell an employee to use the forklift to
move a pallet. During that conversation, they can throw in a specific reminder to
operate the forklift safely; such as – keep your load low to the ground when traveling.
Super easy and works amazingly well to build safety awareness.
o Surveys
Don’t be afraid to ask your staff about their impression of your safety program, policies,
or procedures. This feedback is valuable in many ways. It tells you what is working and
what isn’t working and it sends the message that you care about them and their
opinion.
Setting up an employee survey can be done with a paper questionnaire, using
computerized surveys (like Survey Monkey), or face-to-face with the answers recorded
by another person. The choices are limitless.
If it is easy for the employees to do, they are more likely to do it.
o Employee Involvement
Include employees in every aspect of your safety program; from development to
implementation, to review. Understand that including them in the process goes a long
way in building safety awareness.
o Proactive Safety Goals
Most safety goals are reactive, based on the number of incidents. Proactive goals focus
more on safety behaviors and stopping the causes of incidents. When you get your staff
focused on a specific safety goal, such as improving housekeeping in an area, you are
building safety awareness.
o PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
This should always be the last thing to consider. You might also be thinking the PPE is a
policy thing and not an awareness thing. However, when walking into a facility where the use of PPE is prevalent, the level of safety awareness at that facility is usually above
average.
The act of having to put on safety gear prior to doing the task or walking into an area
heightens the level of safety.
8 Expert Situational Awareness Safety Tips for the Workplace
o Adopt a structured situational awareness framework
Everyone has a slightly different approach to staying aware, with unique ways of
collecting and processing information. But in the workplace, you need your entire team
to operate in agreement. A company’s situational intelligence depends on the ability to
understand, detect, and mitigate risks in a consistent fashion.
Evaluate what will be a better fit for your organization’s needs, and incorporate it
into situational awareness training so your employees have practice with the method.
o Stay focused
Life is full of distractions. Most of us have long to-do lists, notifications beeping all day
long, and the constant stimuli of people interacting with us. Distractions might seem
like a minor annoyance, but they can be a significant hazard in the workplace. If you
make a mistake working on a spreadsheet because you’re multitasking, it could have
serious consequences for business operations. Ideally, you recognize the mistake in time
to reload the file. However, power tools and heavy equipment don’t have an undo
button.
o Here are a few ways to promote focus in the workplace:
o Limit electronic device usage
o Discourage multitasking
o Manage disruptions
o Watch for fatigue
How many times have you started the day more tired than usual, compensating with an
extra cup of coffee? It might seem harmless, but fatigue is a serious hazard that can
cause slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and difficulty concentrating.
Even if workers are getting 7 or more hours of sleep per night, other environmental
factors can have an impact. Stress, heat, and overexertion—both physical and
mental—can all lead to fatigue. At best, fatigue can lead to near misses that wake you
right up. At worst, it can cause accidents involving physical and/or financial damages.
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy for someone to assess their own level of fatigue.
Train your team to recognize the signs in their coworkers and know when someone isn’t
fit to be working. Additionally, it’s important to frame the process as safety-oriented, rather than disciplinary. No one wants to get their friend in trouble, but they wouldn’t hesitate to protect their friends from getting hurt.
o Be vigilant
One of the primary components of risk awareness is identifying subtle hazards. Spotting
and managing the little things can be the key to preventing a disaster.
No one is more familiar with your workplace than your employees. They know the
space, their coworkers’ tendencies and body language, and the nuances of what’s going
on around them. They will be more easily able to spot when something is wrong.
Empower your frontline workers to share their gut feelings and speak up when
something seems off. It’s better to investigate a potential risk and discover it was
nothing than to ignore it and let it grow into a serious hazard.
o Encourage clear and thorough communication
When you do the same task day after day, it can be easy to get complacent. You may
assume your coworkers know what’s going on, confident that they’re aware of the same
safety hazards and risks as you are.
Well, you know what they say about assumptions. Teach your employees to
communicate clearly and thoroughly, no matter how routine things might seem.
Verbally calling out hazards makes sure everyone is cognizant of the situation, taking it
seriously, and working to keep each other safe.
Use visual and auditory signaling devices in loud and fast-paced environments, the
details of conversations or instructions can get lost. Complement verbal communication
with visual and auditory signaling, especially when it highlights a potential hazard.
Some common examples of signals that promote situational awareness:
o Flashing lights on heavy machinery when it’s in operation
o Clear, loud beeping when vehicles such as trucks or forklifts are backing up
o Alarms when doors aren’t securely closed
o Brightly colored barriers, cones, or fences around non-obvious hazards like oil
slicks, ice, or chemical spills
o Have an exit strategy
Per OSHA requirements, every worksite has clear directions to emergency exits. And
your company probably runs fire drills to ensure everyone knows how to safely get out
of the building.
However, an exit strategy is more than simply identifying a door or path to safety. In
many cases, it’s having a plan of action if something goes wrong. For example, if you’re
operating heavy equipment and it malfunctions, what steps do you take to protect yourself and your coworkers? How do you shut it down and alert the right contacts? And how do you exit the area if necessary?
Situational awareness focuses on detecting and understanding potential hazards. Not
every problem can be avoided, though, and you always need an exit strategy. Risk
intelligence bridges this gap. It comprises a continuous stream of planning from
situational awareness and hazard prevention to evaluating realistic outcomes and
responding to environmental dangers.
o Practice and reinforce situational awareness
Most importantly, you need to reinforce situational awareness safety tips until they
become second nature. It’s easy to make the right decision when you’re sitting in a
peaceful environment, discussing your options. But when faced with a rapidly evolving
threat, your employees need to be able to act on instinct to protect their personal
safety.
Make situational awareness a monthly safety topic, both as a focused item and as a
complement to other relevant discussions. Perform periodic situational awareness
training and use tabletop exercises to help employees practice their skills. Provide
thorough feedback throughout the process, promoting a vigilant and proactive safety
culture in the workplace.
6 Ways to Promote Workplace Safety Awareness
o Have Markings and Signage
Clear markings and signage on equipment, walkways, storage areas, and more are
among the most important tactics for promoting safety awareness. For example, signs
can be used to instruct employees on how to use equipment properly. Additionally,
floor and wall markings can show employees where certain items or equipment should
be stored. Clear markings and signage are a subconscious reminder to employees of
safety protocol and expectations.
o Create Posters that Display Safety Policies
Posters and banners are probably one of the first things you think about when it comes
to promoting safety awareness. Posters can be a great way to remind employees of
important safety protocols. You should only put up posters relevant to your operations
and employees. To increase employee attention to posters, try moving them or
changing them every week or so.
o Have Regular Safety Talks
Safety should be a part of regular discussions in the workplace. Safety discussions are an
important way to set clear expectations for safety. There are many ways to do this, from
having a daily pre-shift safety meeting to doing quarterly safety presentations. Find
something that fits your company’s industry and work.
o Provide Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regularly
Having to put on safety gear before performing a task heightens the level and
awareness of safety in the workplace. Providing the appropriate PPE is also an effective
way to improve compliance.
o Involve Employees in the Development and Implementation of Safety Protocol
Involving employees in the process of developing a safety program is a great way to
increase safety awareness. They are the people on the front lines of the job, and they
may be able to point out problem areas much easier than someone looking from the
outside in. Employees are also more likely to follow safety regulations that they had
some part in creating.
o Use Creative Tactics to Introduce Safety Measures
Introducing safety protocols in a typical presentation style can get boring and repetitive
for employers and employees. Create a safety scavenger hunt where employees are
split up into teams and have to read clues to piece together a safety policy. Additionally,
try hosting a workplace safety trivia session with prizes for the employees that answer
questions correctly.
Promoting safety awareness can be a very taxing and overwhelming activity, but it is
crucial for maintaining and improving the safety of your workplace. Try one tip at a time
to make it easier.
Across industries, workers suffer injuries at staggering rates—from the repetitive movements,
awkward postures and forceful exertions required to get their jobs done. These injuries are
known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). They are the largest category of workplace injuries
in the United States, and they cost employers billions of dollars each year in workers’
compensation, disability, absenteeism, and lost productivity.
Many of these injuries emerge after days, weeks, months or even years of work-related activity.
By the time an injury occurs, it’s almost certain a workplace has missed several warning signals
and the opportunity to have prevented it in the first place. Workers themselves might not even
be aware of the risk factors that are part of their routine tasks until they experience pain.
Taking a comprehensive, proactive, and scientific approach to addressing MSDs could prevent
these injuries from occurring—and that would provide relief to millions of workers and return
billions of dollars to organizations’ bottom lines.
That’s why employers across the country are taking action and committing themselves to
specific strategies with the goal of reducing MSD risk and subsequent injuries by 25% by 2025.
Together, we can take steps to reduce workplace risks and help workers lead healthier, fuller
lives, free of pain. And, through innovation and sharing of lessons learned, we can create safer,
more productive workplaces for everyone. Work doesn’t have to hurt, workers are engaged in
safety solutions and businesses are even more productive.
Lay a strong foundation for success by:
o Building a workplace culture that values worker health and safety,
o Mobilizing leadership within all levels of your organization; and,
o Engaging workers directly to understand sources of risk and identify possible solutions.
o Construct a comprehensive workplace MSD Solutions Program that:
o Reduces risk through ergonomics,
o Creates a medical management system for workers who experience MSD injuries; and,
o Expands worker well-being initiatives that boost individual resilience.
Safe work environments begin and end with company culture. Everyone has a role to play in
creating a culture that prioritizes safety. Company leaders can set a clear vision aligning the
importance of safety with business success. Managers can lead by example, build trust, and
identify hazards. Frontline workers can be empowered to advocate for and use sound safety
practices. Consider how you can implement worker training on personal and professional
impacts of MSD injuries to mobilize your workforce. Once you have buy-in, you’ll need a
champion or team to help create a participatory culture between workers, managers and
leadership that reinforces health and safety.
STEP 1
Create a Culture that Values Worker Health & Safety
o Identifying risks and hazards,
o Designing innovative solutions,
o Participating in safety protocols; and,
o Engaging in a culture of continuous improvement, including routine monitoring and
reporting MSD symptoms.
o Routinely checking in with workers about ways to make the workplace safer,
o Asking workers what additional support they might need to operate more safely,
o Listening to worker feedback about safer work processes,
o Recognizing employees for speaking up about safety hazards and possible solutions;
o Including all workers, such as contractors, temporary workers, seasonal workers, and
part-time workers as part of the mission, the message, and the metrics of safety.
STEP 2
Mobilize Leadership at All Levels Within Your Organization
o Establish a company vision that centers on worker health, safety, and well-being,
o Create supportive lines of communication with workers,
o Train leaders and managers on key warning signs and hazards for MSD injuries,
o Incentivize managers and leadership to routinely check in with workers and document
injuries and hazards,
o Invest resources into health and safety initiatives; and,
o Enlist and empower health and safety teams to make decisions that benefit workers.
STEP 3
Engage Workers to Understand MSD Risks and Identify Possible Solutions
o Empower your workers in identifying areas for improvement and developing and
implementing your safety protocols and interventions.
o Train managers to lead safety conversations with workers and create performance
metrics to ensure managers deliver safety messages and actively listen to workers’
needs.
o Motivate workers and managers effectively by making participation in health and safety
conversations—both reporting injuries and identifying solutions—part of performance
reviews and incentives.
STEP 4
Reduce MSD Risks Through Ergonomics
A crucial element of an MSD Solutions Program is the application of ergonomics. Ergonomics is
the science for designing work systems that minimize injury while maximizing performance.
Ergonomics considers the workers—their abilities, limitations, and characteristics—as well as
the tasks, jobs, workstations, tools, equipment, and the work environment to design a system
to preserve workers’ well-being and reduce illness and injuries, especially MSDs. Ergonomics is
used to:
o Identify and address existing MSD hazards and risks.
o Build systems to prevent the introduction of new hazards and risks.
Here are different examples of ergonomic postures:
o Work at waist height,
o Bend at the hips and knees, keeping the back straight,
o Carry items close to the body and at waist height,
o Keep computer screens directly straight ahead,
o Keep tasks below shoulder height to avoid awkward and fatiguing postures; and,
o Pick tools that allow for a full hand power grip.
STEP 5
Create a Medical Management System for Workers Who Experience MSD Injuries
Efforts to address work-related injuries must go beyond prevention and consider the needs of
workers who develop MSDs. If not properly managed, MSDs can progress to chronic disorders
resulting in lifelong disability. Employers can prevent these outcomes and minimize business
costs by implementing systems for early detection, coordinating with healthcare providers for
diagnosis and treatment and establishing tailored return-to-work protocols with a medical
management team.
Promote Early Detection and Intervention
Systems that promote early detection and accurate reporting make it easier for workers to
access early treatment, which is often far less costly than advanced MSD injuries. Early
detection also provides valuable insight into the underlying causes of injuries, which allows
employers to intervene and take steps to prevent them. You can create a workplace culture
that rewards early and accurate reporting.
o Train workers to recognize early signs and symptoms of MSDs.
o Train managers to build regular check-ins for MSD symptoms as part of their
conversations with workers.
o Establish systems for early reporting.
o Assess causes of symptoms and create processes to intervene as appropriate.
Establish a Safe Return-to-Work Protocol
Employers should establish a coordinated return-to-work team that engages human resources,
the healthcare provider, and the worker to:
o Determine safe return-to-work protocols, including necessary leave time, work
restrictions, transitional duty options and modifications of job tasks and workstations,
o Create a flexible working arrangement for injured workers to continue rehabilitation
sessions (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational therapy) while
working; and,
o Provide resources for mental well-being such as, employee assistance programs,
coverage of counseling sessions to manage kinesiophobia and other psychosocial factors
and navigating “life after injury”.
STEP 6
Promote Physical Well-Being
Sleep, exercise, hydration, and nutrition promote muscle and bone health and strength which
builds tolerance against musculoskeletal injury. Ideas to strengthen worker well-being include:
o Team exercises
o Strength and flexibility training
o Wellness seminars
o On-site nutritious snacks and hydration options
o On-site fitness options
o Company fitness challenges
o Subsidized gym memberships
Support Mental Health
Workplace stress contributes to and is worsened by MSD injuries. Muscular tension and poor
posture caused by stress and fatigue predispose workers to injury. On the flip side, in a
psychologically supportive environment, workers feel safe speaking up about risks and injuries
before they develop into problems. Promote mental well-being with tools appropriate
for your workforce. Consider offering:
o Flexible work policies
o Mental wellness education and training seminars
o Mental health days
o Paid family leave policies
o Team bonding activities
o Protocols for communication outside working hours
o Insurance coverage for mental health treatment, especially for workers coping with
MSDs
Help your employees live their fullest lives – on and off the clock.