If you were to ask employees who the leader of their organization is, most of them would say it’s the CEO, executive director, superintendent or owner.

But if you asked them who the safety leader is, would the answer be the same?

Leadership buy-in regarding safety efforts is critical to maintaining a productive workplace. And it also benefits the bottom line.

Creating an organizational culture where everyone is dedicated to building and maintaining a safe work environment requires commitment to safety from the top down.

A LinkedIn article from late 2023 discusses the importance of involving company leaders at every step of the process, including:

• Safety committees
• Audits, inspections
• Training sessions

Still, it’s everyone’s job to set an example and make safety part of the foundation of your organization.

But if safety isn’t already ingrained in your organization’s culture, how do you get started? Here are four steps toward creating a safety program.

1. Set safety goals

To make your safety program effective, you need to set the right goals for your employees.

Focus on safe behaviors rather than risky ones. Choose goals that relate to safety indicators that are both meas­urable and specific to your workplace. The best behaviors to observe are those that will prevent injuries from happening. Review your injury records to look for any trends. This will give you a place to start.

For example, if you’re noticing a large number of back injuries due to lifting, you may want to create a safety goal around safe lifting practices. But rather than telling your employees that the goal is to go one month without injuries, instead focus on safe behaviors. Take 15 minutes every day to observe your employees at work and make a note of every time someone uses the proper lifting technique. Set a goal of observing 100 safe lifts in a week.

Not only can these observations encourage safe behaviors, but they can also help correct unsafe behaviors. If an employee doesn’t use proper lifting techniques, it won’t count against achieving the goal, but you can still observe what the employee is doing wrong and make corrections accordingly.

If you center your safety goals around risky behaviors or injuries, then it could cause employees to refrain from reporting workplace incidents. If you set a goal of going incident-free for a month, then if one of your workers is injured on day 28, they might wait to report the injury. No one wants to be the one to break the trend. But waiting to report an injury could lead to both further injury for the employee and decreased production for the company.

By setting positive goals, you can encourage safety without affecting injury reporting.

2. Use positive recognition

Reinforce safety culture with your employees through positive recognition.

When you’re doing your observation, take the time to recognize employees who follow proper protocols. This can be done verbally, or you can consider some sort of reward program.

Put together a safety program based on encouraging good behaviors that relate to the goals you’ve set. Perform regular checks and offer recognition when applicable, while also making note of any areas that need improvement. Have your supervisors do checks at varied times.

3. Get employees involved in safety

Once you demonstrate your commitment to safety, start getting more of your employees involved. Encourage workers at all levels to participate in the program and start talking to each other about safety.

Not only will this increase the number of eyes looking for ways to improve the safety of your workplace, but it will also increase personal awareness of dangerous behaviors and conditions.

Some options include:

• Have your employees do safety observations among themselves
• Ask them to fill out safety checklists
• Start a safety suggestion box
• Perform random knowledge checks

Try a few different tactics to see what’s most effective in getting your employees to start talking about safety.

You can also incentivize participation by offering rewards to employees who get involved in the program. Small prizes, such as $5 or $10 gift cards, are an easy way to encourage employees. You could also consider providing a free lunch or entering employees who participate into a drawing for a larger prize.

Once you get started, it will become second nature for your employees to communicate about safety.

“You know you have an effective safety culture when employees are willing to talk to each other when they’re doing something unsafe,” said SFM Director of Loss Prevention Lee Wendel.

4. Respond to employee concerns

Your employees need to see that you’re serious about creating a safe work environment. Once you have employees talking about safety, you need to make sure to be communicative and follow up on their observations.

If you have employees reporting safety concerns to you that go unanswered, the program will lose momentum, as well as credibility. Not only will this prevent you from improving safety, it could also cause things to swing in the other direction if your workers lose confidence in you.

It’s also the responsibility of senior leadership to make sure all supervisors and leaders who interact regularly with other employees are on board with a safety program. Supervisors need to allow employees time to engage with the safety program.

You’ll also have to ensure your supervisors are supporting any actions taken to correct a safety concern. If a supervisor contradicts a decision, that could bring a quick halt to your program.

Conclusion

Ultimately, when it comes to leadership in safety, your goal is to have all employees view themselves as safety leaders. But you are the person who can make that happen.

“The most common reason a safety program fails is due to a lack of leadership support,” Wendel said. “A senior leader has the power to make a safety program work or destroy it based on what they say and do.”

If you can show your commitment to safety by creating a dedicated program, listening to your employees and encouraging everyone to get involved, the entire company will follow your example.

Originally published in December 2020; updated in August 2024.

​By 2032, nearly 25 percent of the U.S. workforce is projected to be 55 and older, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

And surveys show that more and more Americans are working past the traditional retirement age of 65.

What does it mean for your company? How can you prevent injuries as your workforce ages?

Why older workers are at higher risk for serious injury

Although older workers are injured less frequently than younger workers, their injuries are typically more severe and take longer to recover from.

They may have comorbidities, such as diabetes or heart disease, that lead to slower recovery and higher medical costs — older workers typically take twice the recuperation time of younger employees, according to the BLS .

There are physiological reasons why aging employees are at higher risk for serious injury.

The first is muscle strength. The aging process leads to distinct muscle mass and strength loss, according to the National Library of Medicine . In fact, muscle strength declines from people older than 40 between16.6% and 40.9%.

The second is hearing and vision loss. As people age, the chances of experiencing hearing and vision loss increase. These changes can make employees less aware of their surroundings, and therefore more susceptible to injury. For example, a construction worker who can’t hear the warning beep of a vehicle backing up.

But the No. 1 risk for older workers is falls, and they can result in more serious injuries than you might expect. For example, workers who’ve slipped and fallen on ice while shoveling have ended up with multiple fractures or even traumatic brain injuries.

Four tips for preventing injuries among older workers

Workplace safety is important for all your workers, no matter their age or experience level. A comprehensive safety program will benefit your entire workforce.

Here are a few practical ideas to better protect your older workers in particular.

1. Enhance injury prevention through a wellness program

Employers can help prevent strains, sprains and falls by encouraging improved flexibility, strength and balance.

Consider starting a flex and stretch program, walking program or covering all or a part of the cost of gym memberships — especially if there’s one nearby with a pool. Swimming is a great form of exercise for injury prevention because it improves strength and flexibility without high impact.

Some companies are constructing workout centers onsite for employee use or holding exercise classes such as yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi.

2. Prevent slip-and-fall injuries

Ensure a safe working environment by maintaining parking lots and sidewalks, keeping walkways dry and clear of clutter and applying slip-resistant floor treatments in appropriate areas. Then, make sure your employees are aware of the risks of slip-and-fall injuries.

Oftentimes, simple steps like wearing appropriate footwear, walking cautiously in wet or slippery conditions and using handrails can prevent a fall.

For employees who spend any time working outside during the winter — like bus drivers, maintenance workers or playground supervisors — encourage wearing traction footwear. Employees who work in environments that are sometimes wet or greasy, such as kitchens or hospitals, should wear slip-resistant footwear. (See a list of slip-and-fall prevention vendors recommended by SFM.)

3. Make sure employees can meet the physical requirements of the job

For new hires, require a pre-employment physical to ensure they are capable of all the tasks the job requires. Make sure the person doing the testing has an up-to-date job description that includes all the essential functions. As part of the examination, have the physician review a medical history questionnaire, which may reveal issues not apparent during the physical exam. The cost of testing will likely pay for itself if you prevent even one back or shoulder injury.

State laws and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act govern how pre-employment physicals can be conducted and used, so it’s important to consult your legal counsel before starting such a program at your company. Any tests used must be job-related and consistent with business necessity. Generally, if applicants have disabilities that interfere with their ability to participate in the testing process, result in them failing the exam, or both, employers must engage in an interactive reasonable accommodation process.

For more information see the Pre-employment physical examinations Legal Advisory.

4. Improve ergonomics

Focusing on ergonomics becomes even more important with older workers. Perform ergonomic evaluations in your employees’ work areas — whether they work at a desk, in a vehicle, on a production floor or in another environment. Ask your employees for their suggestions on how their jobs could be altered to avoid fatigue or soreness.

Eliminate manual lifting wherever possible by changing the layout of the work area or providing lifting equipment. If lifting is required, use proper lifting technique. This is especially important in health care, where injuries from patient handling are common.

For repetitive tasks, practice job rotation. This requires cross-training employees on more than one job, which can be a benefit if someone quits or is absent.

Older workers offer knowledge, experience and expertise that many employers find desirable and will try to retain in the coming years. A little planning and attention can help keep your workforce safe and productive at any age.

Originally published in November 2018; updated in August 2024.

The end of any winter often brings a welcome reintroduction to the great outdoors.

You may not need to worry about hypothermia and other dangers of the cold, but warm weather is not without its own risks, especially for people who work outdoors. Depending on what kind of outdoor exposure you’re getting, there are a few warm-weather hazards to monitor.

Share the following tips with your employees to help them stay safe during warmer months.

Outdoor slips and falls

Icy sidewalks aren’t the only cause of falls when you’re outdoors — potential tripping and slipping hazards can happen all year long.

Pay attention to the conditions of the surfaces you’re walking on. Parking lots, sidewalks, ramps and stairs can all have cracks, holes or uneven surfaces that could cause you to trip. Use handrails on stairs or ramps, and try to keep your hands free of encumbrances. Do not carry more than you can handle or items that block your vision.

Don’t take shortcuts through lawns or center islands. Uneven ground and concealed or hard-to-see holes can result in twisted ankles or worse.

Also, summer months might have employees wearing different footwear than at other times of the year. Flip-flops, sandals, loose-fitting shoes, high heels, cowboy boots, etc., all increase the risk of slip and fall injuries or feet and ankle injuries. Employers need to mandate proper footwear and enforce it with workers.

Also, report any unsafe outdoor conditions to the appropriate person.

Heat stress

When you’re working in the heat, it’s important to make sure you stay hydrated. If you aren’t taking in enough fluids or salts, it can lead to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

To prevent heat-related stress, give yourself time to adjust to hot weather by limiting your exposure at first, and gradually increasing the amount of time until your body has acclimated to the heat. Try to schedule work during the coolest parts of the day.

Drink plenty of liquids to replace what your body loses through sweating. You should be drinking approximately one cup of water every 15 minutes. Sports drinks with electrolytes are useful for replacing necessary salts, as well.

Don’t ignore symptoms of heat stress. Stop your work to cool off in a shaded or air-conditioned area if you experience dizziness, nausea or muscle cramping.

These tips are especially important for workers in certain industries. In early 2024, the American Society of Safety Professionals published the first national voluntary consensus standard addressing heat stress for workers in construction and demolition operations.

At a high level, the document:

• Provides guidance on protecting workers
• Outlines how to acclimate workers to high heat conditions
• Gives tips for training employees and supervisors

The standard also contains checklists and flowcharts designed to help employers develop heat stress management programs.

Lightning safety

If you work outdoors, it’s important to pay attention to weather patterns. Thunderstorms are common across the country, and lighting safety is vital for employees who work outdoors.

From 2006 through 2021, there were 444 lightning strike fatalities in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of those deaths occurred in June, July or August.

Stay up to date on weather forecasts and watch out for early warning signs. If a storm is predicted, don’t start working on projects you won’t be able to stop quickly.

Clouds that grow vertically into towering cumulus clouds are often the first sign of a developing storm. Other indicators include high winds, dark clouds, rain and distant thunder.

When you see lightning, count the seconds until you hear thunder. If the time is 30 seconds or less, then the storm is close enough to be dangerous. Leave any open-air structures or areas with tall trees and seek shelter inside an enclosed building. Metal-topped vehicles are also safe.

If you are outdoors, stay off and away from tall structures or large equipment. Do not touch anything that can conduct electricity. Wait at least 30 minutes following the last clap of thunder before resuming your work.

Insect-borne diseases

Summer is peak season for ticks and insect bites. If you work outdoors, be aware of the conditions that put you most at risk. Insects are most active at dawn, dusk and early evening in tall grass, shrubs and wooded areas.

You can avoid insect bites by wearing long pants, sleeves, closed-toe shoes and a hat. Use insect repellents on clothes and exposed skin.

After being outdoors, you should perform body checks for ticks. If one is found, remove it immediately with fine-tipped tweezers by pulling it straight out. Then cleanse the area with antiseptic.

At the same time, illnesses such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus can be passed on by deer ticks and mosquitos. An estimated 476,000 people are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services . And in 2023, more than 2,400 cases of West Nile virus were detected across 47 jurisdictions.

If you suspect you or one of your employees may have contracted an illness, seek medical attention right away.

Conclusion

Spring and summer months come with their own unique safety risks.

Getting back outside after a long winter can feel like a relief, but don’t let that cause you to let your guard down while working outside.

Lastly, federal officials have created a heat safety tool app employers can use as an additional resource.

Originally published in May 2019; updated May 2024.

We use ladders so often, sometimes we forget the risk we’re taking each time we climb one.

There are several ways in which small mistakes in usage can add up to major injury risks. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health lists a few:

1. Insufficient ladder inspection
   Ensure your equipment is in working order before any project (see more tips below).
2. Incorrect extension ladder setup angle
   In about 40 percent of cases, the primary cause of injuries is a ladder sliding out at the base due to an incorrect angle for setup.
3. Inappropriate ladder selection
   Notably, selecting a ladder made of nonconductive material can avoid electrocution and related falls.
4. Improper ladder use
   Overreaching? Carrying items while on a ladder? Applying excessive force? There are several ways a person can injure themselves while using a ladder.
5. Lack of access to ladder safety tools and information
   Small employers account for nearly 80 percent of all construction companies, and they may not have access to ladder-safety resources.

For perspective, about half a million people are treated for ladder-related injuries each year. This is why you should inspect ladders before every use.

Below, find more tips on what to look for when doing a ladder inspection.

When should you inspect ladders?

• Inspect new ladders promptly upon receipt
• Inspect ladders before each use
• Check the condition of ladders that have been dropped or have fallen before using them again

What should you look for when inspecting any ladder?

• Missing or loose steps or rungs (they are loose if you can move them by hand)
• Damaged or worn non-slip cleats
• Loose nails, screws, bolts or nuts
• Loose or faulty spreaders, locks and other metal parts in poor repair
• Rot, decay or warped rails in wooden ladders
• Cracks and exposed fiberglass in fiberglass ladders
• Cracked, split, worn or broken rails, braces, steps or rungs
• Sharp edges on rails and rungs
• Dents and dings in aluminum ladders
• Rough or splintered surfaces
• Corrosion, rust, oxidization and excessive wear, especially on treads
• Paint or other material that could obstruct your ability to see defects
• Oil, grease, mud or other debris on rungs or other parts of the ladder
• Twisted or distorted rails — check ladders for distortion by sighting along the rails
• Missing identification labels

Real-world example

A near-tragedy at a roofing company a few years ago underscores the importance of ladder inspections.

According to an account provided by the Wisconsin Occupational Safety & Health Administration:

Two roofing technicians were using ladders to get to a roof for inspection and repair.

The first technician set up a 30-foot extension ladder rated for a 300-pound load capacity. (The technician weighed 160 pounds.)

The ladder was less than 2 months old and had recently been inspected. But as the technician climbed the ladder, he felt it begin to give way.

Fortunately, he was able to hold onto the edge of the roof as the ladder collapsed under him. He stayed there until the second technician set up another ladder for him to climb down to safety.

The company immediately inspected all of its fiberglass extension ladders and found that about 20 percent of them had small cracks in the fiberglass on the side rails — some right next to the rungs.

What other things should you look for when inspecting stepladders?

• Wobble
• Loose or bent hinges and hinge spreaders
• Broken stop on a hinge spreader

What should you look for when inspecting extension ladders?

• Loose, broken or missing extension locks
• Defective locks that do not seat properly when ladder is extended
• Sufficient lubrication of working parts
• Defective cords, ropes or chains
• Missing or defective foot pads or sleeves

What should you do after inspecting any ladder?

• Clean the ladder if needed and again thereafter as needed
• Replace worn or frayed ropes on extension ladders
• Lubricate pulleys on extension ladders regularly
• Tag any defective ladders and take them out of service

What are some things you should not do after inspecting ladders?

• Do not make temporary or makeshift repairs
• Do not try to straighten or use bent or bowed ladders

A fall from a ladder can be devastating, so please take the extra time to make sure your ladder is in good shape before you use it.

Lastly, check out our additional resources on ladder safety.

Originally posted May 2017; updated April 2024.