A positive, safe workplace culture requires contributions from every employee in your organization. Consider the motto we use at the Comp Alliance: 10 fingers and 10 toes. This means that all employees show up ready to work, dress as necessary, bring a positive attitude, and safely complete their job functions, so they leave work at the end of a productive workday in the same condition they arrive.
In a nutshell, operating in a positive work environment should produce zero injuries and employees who promote a culture of safety. “What constitutes a positive work environment?” you might ask.
- Enjoyable: A workplace that is a reasonably enjoyable place of employment. Employees are happy to be there, ready to work, and show up on time.
- Productive: A workplace where employees understand their roles and responsibilities, accomplish their given tasks on time, professionally, and do an overall good job.
A positive work environment is a culture supported by administration, so employees feel valued, respected, and safe. It rewards employees for calling out hazards or wearing their personal protective equipment (PPE). A safe workplace encourages employees to take responsibility for their own safety and their coworkers’.
Many factors contribute to employees’ safety and their ability to concentrate on tasks, including:
- Safety training
- PPE
- Equipment that is regularly inspected and maintained
- Housekeeping
- Facility safeguards
- Machine guarding
- Policy development
- Incident reporting and investigation
Practice the concept of 10 fingers and 10 toes with your staff. Encourage them to speak up before an accident occurs and focus on supporting a culture of safety. At the end of the day, prioritizing safety leads to employees returning home injury and illness-free. If you have any questions about building a culture of safety, contact our Director of Loss Control, Robert Blaisdell, at rblaisdell@wrightinsurance.com.