Job Satisfaction Creates Culture of Safety

Job satisfaction is key in creating a workplace focused on safety, says corporate safety officer and consultant Chet Brandon of Indianapolis.

“With (job satisfaction) comes the quality improvements,” he said. “We forget that it’s still people at the end of the day making it happen.”

Brandon, who has covered safety for various industries including nuclear, aerospace, automotive and manufacturing, spoke to safety professionals recently at a symposium in New Orleans. His message was a simple one: Engage workers so they like what they do. With that comes better adherence to safety procedures and more contributions to a safe workplace. 

He called the lack of employee engagement and empowerment a “crisis” in the workforce, citing a 2016 Gallup poll that found 87 percent of employees worldwide are not engaged at work. 

Brandon borrowed from various researchers in outlining his solution for employers who want to improve job satisfaction. Steps include giving employees opportunities for developing a variety of skills, letting them know why what they do is important, giving them autonomy, and giving feedback. 

“The goal is to make the work more enjoyable, more meaningful and more valuable,” he said. “We want them involved and motivated and interested.”

He encouraged safety professionals to empower employees by seeking their input and making them part of the decision- making process related to safety.  Source: Business Insurance