One of the great reasons why we need strong safety leadership is because, fortunately, the concept of occupational health and safety is beginning to be conceived as a culture and a set of shared values that hardly function without involved management and with a strong commitment to safety. In a generic way, leadership theories present ways of acting intended for those who have key positions in the decision-making of any organization.
The area of prevention is not far from the rest in this sense. With this, we are not just talking about establishing guidelines and actions to follow. It is also about having the intention to guide and direct workers as well as developing the ability to influence their behaviours so that they become safer.
What is safety leadership? How does a manager become a leader?
A safety leader has the ability to mobilize and influence
behaviours to lead them towards safer practices. EHSS leaders have the ability
to inspire others to behave safely, recognize the connection between good
safety and business practices, possess up-to-date EHS knowledge and have the
communication skills to convey it. Prevent work-related accidents and diseases,
which are expensive for companies. Research has shown that up to 80% of
work-related accidents are caused by employees ‘behaviour'.
To develop self-leadership, here are 8 insights into safety leadership principles that can
be found in safety leaders at all levels of an organization:
- Create a vision, so that safety policies make sense.
- Being an example, by knowing and following the rules.
- Share that vision, to encourage the adhesion and participation of workers.
- Implementing change to improve safety and working conditions.
- Showing co-workers small tokens of appreciation for a safe job well done.
- Promote team spirit and transversely develop shared vigilance within and between teams.
- Recognize good practices and apply a fair sanction, in order to establish a fair culture and a climate of trust.
- Give safety the place it deserves within the organization and management and manage it on a daily basis.
Safety is a critical aspect of any business or industry, and
safety leader plays a critical role in ensuring workers are safe and secure
while performing their tasks. From identifying and mitigating risks to training
and raising worker awareness, a good safety leader must have a variety of
essential skills and characteristics to be effective in the role. Visit the principle of safety leadership
Safety leadership examples
The profile of a good industrial safety leader includes a
combination of technical knowledge, communication and leadership skills, focus
on prevention, flexibility and adaptability, and commitment to safety. These
characteristics are essential to ensure that an industrial safety leader is
effective in their role and in creating a safe and healthy work environment for
everyone.
In-depth knowledge of industrial safety
A good industrial safety leader must have a solid and
up-to-date knowledge of relevant industrial safety regulations, laws and
standards. Additionally, you must be familiar with the most advanced
technologies and methods for identifying and mitigating risks in the workplace.
Ability to communicate and lead
An effective leader must be able to communicate clearly and
effectively with his team and other departments in the company. Must be able to
persuade others to adopt safety measures and must be a motivational leader who
fosters a positive safety culture throughout the company.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Businesses and industries are constantly changing, and a
good industrial safety leader must be able to adapt to changes and address new
challenges flexibly. You must be a critical thinker and be able to find
creative solutions to complex safety problems.
Commitment to Safety
Above all, a good safety leader must have a deep and
passionate commitment to safety. He must believe in the importance of
protecting workers and must be a tireless advocate for workplace safety.
It is important to note that although these characteristics
are critical for a good safety leader, it is also essential that they have
adequate safety experience and training.
The soft skill of a safety leader
Additionally, it is important for safety leaders to work closely with other company departments, including management, to ensure that safety initiatives are effectively integrated into company culture and operations. Below are ten soft skills all effective leaders need to
build a strong positive safety culture within an organization.
- Listening: effective leadership means being a good listener. It makes for good communication. So, while you might be skilled at articulating your ideas, you also need to listen to others. Give speakers your full attention when talking about safety, take notes, be open to new ideas, and reserve judgment on safety issues until you get the whole picture.
- Communication: Good leaders master the ability to
communicate well. Such as Regular safety meetings, In-depth toolbox discussions, Face-to-face discussions, Employee surveys,A system for logging issues and resolution, Safety newsletters, Electronic notice boards, Workplace safety tips etc.
- Connecting with others: To build a strong safety culture, you need to communicate with employees, senior managers, EHS managers, contractors and colleagues. To connect with others call people by their right names when talking with them, and make everyone feel important.
- Negotiation: Look at how a safety procedure affects an employee’s job, offer people options on safety issues and find ways to show employees you are a team player. Focus on avoiding politics and setting realistic goals.
- Saying “no”: As a safety leader you will probably have to say “no” a lot to employees, like when they want to bend or change safety procedures.
- Dealing with difficult workers: Other workers will judge you on how you deal with difficult employees, so you need to do it effectively. That can be challenging, especially where safety issues are concerned.
- Conflict resolution: People are going to have conflicts. It is inevitable. However, conflict can lead to safety incidents. To do it, be proactive in eliminating potential conflicts, react to conflicts in a positive and helpful manner, and opt for collaborative solutions when resolving conflicts.
- Coaching for performance: You need to invest in your people to build a strong safety culture, especially those working directly under you. Two key components to coaching for performance are creating a positive and productive environment and providing constructive feedback.
Conclusion
Surely it will be difficult for you to work on all 8 principles simultaneously, but if you are a team leader, or participate in a
committee that brings together various levels of staff and the company, dare
and transform one or two of them. These principles into concrete actions. Do
not hesitate to take advantage of any opportunity - briefing, safety visit - to
exchange ideas on safety, listen to the teams, in short, raise questions
related to risks.
