Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2019 and has been updated to reflect the latest research and safety promotional items.
First, the good news: Workplace injuries in many provinces are decreasing (PDF). Next, the better news: You can help reduce that number even more.
If you’re looking for ways to make your business the safest it has ever been, we’re here to help. With these tips and safety promotional item ideas, you can encourage employees to make safety a top priority.
Provide ample training
According to a new survey, almost 20 percent of Canadian businesses do not have safety training programs in place for their new employees.
That leaves a lot of room for improvement.
In their first month on the job, employees are three times more likely to have a lost-time injury than employees who have been on the job for a year or more.
When you hire new employees, make sure to provide the training and equipment they need to perform their work as safely as possible. During training, give a safety promotional item, like a New Wave Pocket Notebook, to take notes. Encourage participation by offering a stress reliever imprinted with a safety message for asking questions or answering the trainer’s questions.
Label potential hazards
The easiest way to make a hazard more avoidable is to make it more visible. If an employee or safety expert brings a potentially hazardous area or situation to your attention, label it with a Surface Grip Indoor Removable Graphic or Surface Tac Outdoor High Traffic Graphic Arrow.
Create safety slogans
Safety tips and rules can be complex and challenging to recall after training. Simplify important information by creating an easy-to-remember slogan for important safety regulations.
After all, “Safety rules are your best tools.”
Make your message stick by imprinting it on safety giveaways like a full colour sticker or lapel pin and handing them out to all employees.
Give an incentive
It might seem like common sense to reward employees who haven’t been injured, but that can lead to staff members not reporting accidents when they occur.
Instead, offer rewards to people who are making safety a top priority. This will help promote desired behaviours. For example, give your leaders a collection of Wooden Nickels to pass out whenever an employee:
- Warns a coworker of danger.
- Points out a workplace hazard.
- Immediately reports an injury.
- Offers a suggestion that will prevent future injuries.
Allow employees who accumulate enough wooden nickels to exchange them for a safety giveaway, like an Urgent Auto Emergency Tool or a Crossland® Fleece Jacket for women or men.
Give your employees a voice
Giving employees a stake in the company’s safety procedures ensures they’re fully engaged in the process. Encourage them to take responsibility for workplace safety. Be sure to:
- Ask employees to create their own safety plans.
- Pull your team together and get everyone’s feedback on what works and what can be improved.
- Ensure employees know there will never be negative consequences for pointing out a safety infraction.
- Always take safety feedback into account.
- Document any safety issues and how they are resolved.
Put safety first with safety promotional items
Safety should always come first. With proper training and safety promotional item ideas, your employees and your business will be the safest they’ve ever been. For more ideas on promoting workplace safety, check out “Recognize employees who put safety first.”