7 Reasons Why Safety Management Systems Fail to Engage Employees

Introduction:

OHSAS 18001 and its replacement, ISO 45001 2018, have considerably enhanced occupational health and safety management in the field of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) management systems. These programs seek to lessen workplace accidents and make workplaces safer for workers. The failure to effectively engage employees, however, causes safety management systems to frequently fall short of their objectives despite the established norms and regulations. In this article, we will examine the causes of why safety management systems usually fail to attract the workforce's interest and commitment.

  • Lack of Employee Involvement: 

The Lack of active employee participation in the system's conception and implementation is one of the main causes of the safety management system's failure to engage workers. Data collected in Gallup's report- State of the Global Workplace 2022- show that globally only 32% of employees are engaged and only 17% of employees are actively disengaged, which means miserable at work. The rules and regulations of the system immediately affect employees. Their insight is invaluable, as they often have a practical understanding of potential risks and innovative ideas for mitigating them. Their lack of participation in the decision-making process may cause individuals to become resentful and lose interest in the system.

  • Inadequate Communication

In any workplace, good communication is essential, but it's especially important when it comes to health and safety management. All employees should have clear and consistent communication regarding safety policies and procedures. The complexity of OHSAS 18001,  45001 2018, or ISO 45001 standards frequently results in employee misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Confusion and disengagement may occur as a result of failing to guarantee that information reaches everyone.

  • Insufficient Training and Education

Comprehensive training programs are needed to incorporate EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) and SMS (Safety Management System) principles. Employees could not completely understand the importance of these systems or how to comply with them without adequate education. Employees who are not given regular training may feel unprepared and lose interest in the safety management system.

  • Overemphasis on Compliance

Although adhering to HSE management system standards is crucial, focusing too much on the consequences of non-compliance might demotivate workers. It might be difficult to report occurrences and safety concerns openly in a punishing culture because of the atmosphere of fear and secrecy it fosters. The persistent fear of fines or criticism may cause workers to lose interest in their work.

  • Lack of Leadership Commitment

Strong commitment from the top is the first step in getting workers involved in safety management systems. When executives put safety first, it sets a good example for the whole company. Employees may view safety as a lower priority and disengage if leaders appear uninterested or prioritize production over safety.

  • Failure to Create a Safety Culture

Each safety management system must have a strong safety culture to succeed. Employees could regard safety regulations as unnecessary red tape or a burden on their everyday activities if a safety culture is not promoted. Active participation and engagement with the system are encouraged by a culture that prioritizes the well-being of its employees.

  • Ignoring Human Factors

Workplace safety is greatly impacted by human variables such as human error, stress and fatigue. Employee engagement may suffer if a safety management system ignores these factors since it doesn't take into consideration the difficulties they confront every day. Employee engagement in the system is lower among those who believe their well-being is not taken into account.

Conclusion:

The success of a safety management system in the context of OHSAS 18001, OHSAS 45001, and ISO 45001 standards depends on its capacity to engage personnel. These solutions might not achieve their intended objectives without active participation, transparent communication, extensive training, leadership commitment, and a strong safety culture. Organizations must prioritize involving workers in the process, making safety a shared responsibility and recognizing the human factor in workplace safety if they want to establish a safer working environment. By doing this, safety management systems can achieve their goals, safeguarding the health and safety of all workers while guaranteeing compliance with regulations.

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