How to Train Supervisors to be Safety Leaders, not Safety Cops

And build a positive safety culture in the process

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Safety First Journal, where I share practical insights, expert tips and industry updates from the world of Occupational Health and Safety.

We’ve discussed in past weeks some of the mistakes that new supervisors make regarding health and safety in the workplace, and this week I want to continue expanding on that point as front-line supervisors are so important to your overall health and safety program.

Do your front-line supervisors see themselves as safety leaders or safety cops?

In many companies, supervisors (and EHS professionals) are seen as enforcers of safety rules rather than influencers of safe behaviours. How many times do we see employees put their safety glasses on or slow down their forklift when they see a supervisor approaching? Like a driver speeding down the road, everyone slams on the brakes the minute they realize they’re being watched.

Problem is, like the cops, supervisors can’t be everywhere and often the undesirable behavior resu…