The theme for this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work is creating a positive safety and health culture. OSH systems are only effective when accompanied by a positive OSH culture in the workplace, where management and employees value the right to a safe and healthy working environment and actively participate towards this end.

Here are 5 tips that will help you build a successful positive safety and health culture in the workplace.

1. Communicate

Holding weekly or monthly safety meetings is an excellent strategy to foster a positive safety and health culture in the workplace. Regular meetings can also increase employee buy-in by allowing them to lead the discussions - these can even be carried out remotely. Make the company’s safety policies and regulations easily accessible, both online and on paper.

2. Provide Training

Training employees indicates commitment to safety. Trained staff are also more likely to adopt safety culture because they are aware of hazards and the impact they might have on workplace safety. To reinforce learning, review key messages from training sessions on a regular basis.

3. Lead by Example

Set a good example by adhering to all safety policies and encouraging employees to do the same. Employees will follow management’s if it commits to safety. Employee buy-in is essential for fostering a positive safety culture. They won’t buy-in to safety if they don’t see senior colleagues following policies and procedures. Safety is more than just talking the talk—it is more about walking the walk.

4. Develop and Implement a Positive Reporting Process

Employees who report safety hazards or concerns should be rewarded. When employees feel comfortable expressing issues and believe that the reporting process is positive, it will be much easier to develop and maintain a positive safety culture.

5. Involve Employees

Building and sustaining a strong safety culture starts from the ground up. Involving employees in the process is another method to get their buy-in. Inquire about their preferences for the reporting process or their thoughts on current communication options.