LEARN how to elevate your safety reporting culture


The Three Employee Types Typically, a company with a functional safety reporting program can antici- pate receiving reports from three types of employees. The Recluse: This employee is


rarely seen or heard. They are diligent and dedicated workers who focus on their tasks, complete the work without complaint, and go home—quiet and content. They listen to others but pre- fer to fly under the radar. Recluses may notice safety issues


but hesitate to report them due to a preference for avoiding conflict or believing it’s not their place to voice a concern. They may rely on others to speak up, not realizing they were the only witness to a hazardous condition. The Respected: Like the recluse,


the respected employee generally keeps to themself but occasionally offers constructive criticism. The orga- nization values these employees for their experience, insights, and skills. The respected’s rare but thoughtful


contributions to safety discussions carry significant weight. Their com- ments are usually well supported and helpful, making them influential in talks about safety and operational improve- ments. Their impact in these discus- sions is critical to the organization’s safety culture. However, the respected may overlook small but problematic issues, not recognizing how these early signals, if left unreported, could lead to a major system failure. The Reviler: The third type of


employee isn’t a fan favorite, often for good reason. They’re the constant


Effective safety reporting depends on a


program everyone in your organization can contribute to. Learn more about elevating your reporting culture in the August 2024 VAI Spotlight on Safety, at verticalavi.org. (Colten Gonzalez-Hill Design Image)


complainer. They project negativity, pointing out flaws in less- experienced employees and in efforts to improve processes. These curmudgeons remain valued employees because they’re the most experienced or possess unique or perishable skills essential to the com- pany’s success. The reviler’s delivery is often crude


and insensitive. These employees fre- quently report safety issues, but their concerns are sometimes dismissed because of their abrasive manner.


Whom Do You Trust to Save Your Company? Which of these employees would you trust most to prevent a fatal accident, thereby protecting—and perhaps sav- ing—your company? The answer is all of them—equally. Every employee is equally capable


of recognizing and reporting potential hazards and thus preventing them from becoming certain disasters. Failure to structure and support a safety report- ing program designed for all employees can allow a fatal chain of events to continue undiscovered and unchecked, eventually resulting in preventable tragedy and financial ruin. Every safety report is potentially


priceless, regardless of the source. Responding only to reports from repu- table employees and dismissing those from staff who seem always to be crying wolf or who hold a consistently negative outlook will irreparably dam- age the organization’s safety culture. Effective safety risk management


requires treating each report equally and ensuring that every concern is investigated thoroughly and objec- tively, no matter how frustrating doing so can sometimes be. Try these techniques to get the


best out of each type of employee and engage them in your reporting:


Fostering a culture in which every employee feels not only empowered but obligated to report safety issues is fundamental to establishing trust, preventing accidents, and ensuring long-term success and safety.


▪ For the silent worker, the recluse, cre- ate an environment that encourages open communication without fear of retribution.


▪ For the occasional critic, the respected, reinforce the value of their input to help maintain and increase their engagement.


▪ For the constant complainer, the reviler, filter through the noise to identify legitimate concerns, as their constant vigilance can often uncover genuine safety hazards that others are more inclined to overlook.


Elevate Your Reporting Culture Building a robust safety culture requires more than just having reporting mech- anisms in place. It involves careful, constant nurturing of an atmosphere in which every staff member feels respon- sible for safety and is encouraged to speak up without fear of reprisal. Consider elevating your reporting


culture through: ▪ Leadership commitment: Every


leader in the organization must embrace open safety reporting and demand the same from every supervisor and direct report. They


SEP 2024 POWER UP 65


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