Culture of Safety in the Workplace: 7 Proven OSHA Practices to Protect Your People

Building a strong culture of safety in the workplace is one of the most effective ways to protect your employees and your bottom line. Occupational safety and health continues to be a serious and costly issue, both globally and in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the private sector experienced 2,804,200 recordable cases of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022, while 5,486 workers across all sectors suffered fatal work injuries that year.

The 2023 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, which reflects 2020 data, found that the top 10 most disabling workplace injuries cost U.S. businesses $48.15 billion in direct workers compensation costs! Implementing a culture of safety in the workplace is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive work environment. This culture encompasses the attitudes, beliefs, practices, and behaviors that stakeholders share regarding their commitment to safety and health in the workplace. By fostering a culture of safety, organizations can significantly reduce accidents, injuries, and illnesses among their employees. In the following, we will define a positive occupational safety and health (OSH) culture and discuss best practices for its implementation.

What Is a Positive Culture of Safety in the Workplace?

A positive occupational safety and health culture is characterized by a shared commitment to safe practices and working conditions among employers, management, and workers at all levels. The UN Chronicle article, “Together We Can Build a Culture of Safety and Health at Work,” by Manal Azzi states, “At the workplace level, a strong OSH culture is one in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is valued and promoted by both management and workers.

A positive OSH culture is built on inclusion through the meaningful involvement of all parties in the ongoing improvement of safety and health at work.” The article goes on to state, “Building a positive safety and health culture in the workplace ensures that employees feel comfortable raising concerns about possible OSH risks or hazards at work, with management collaborating with them proactively to find appropriate, effective and sustainable solutions.” Clear and open communication is fundamental to promoting occupational safety and health. It allows employees to express their safety concerns, report hazards, and participate in safety-related decision making. In a strong culture of safety in the workplace, raising a concern is treated as a contribution, not a complaint.

OSHA’s 7 Core Elements for Building a Culture of Safety in the Workplace

Organizations that are characterized by a strong OSH culture have policies and procedures in place to promote and improve workplace safety on an ongoing basis. These policies and procedures are sometimes referred to as safety and health programs. In their “Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs,” The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) explains, “Safety and health programs foster a proactive approach to ‘finding and fixing’ workplace hazards before they can cause injury or illness.

Rather than reacting to an incident, management and workers collaborate to identify and solve issues before they occur.” The following summarizes the seven core elements of OSHA’s “Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs,” all of which are important for implementing a culture of safety in the workplace:

Management Leadership: Management must set goals and objectives for workplace safety and health programs.  Management is responsible for funding these programs and for modeling best practices.

Worker Participation: Workers and their representatives must be included in all aspects of the safety and health program. They must take part in goal setting, hazard identification, investigations, and progress monitoring. Workers must be able to communicate openly with management about safety and health concerns without fear of retaliation. Permanent employees, contractors, and temporary workers must all carry out their roles and responsibilities under the program. A confidential safety hotline is one practical way to give workers that voice, especially those who are hesitant to speak up in person.

Hazard Identification and Assessment: Assessment of workplace safety and health hazards is ongoing and follows established procedures. Identified hazards are controlled, and safety and health incidents are investigated to find the root cause.

Hazard Prevention and Control: A team of employers and workers collaborate to eliminate, prevent, and control workplace hazards. Stakeholders are held accountable for implementing controls, and progress monitoring is ongoing to measure their effectiveness. Individuals exposed to hazardous conditions are provided necessary protection until the hazard is eliminated.

Education and Training: Workers are trained to identify workplace hazards and to carry out their roles and responsibilities as members of a safety and health program. Employers, managers, and supervisors are trained to protect workers’ rights and to address safety and health concerns.

Program Evaluation and Improvement: Hazard prevention and control initiatives are monitored for proper implementation and effectiveness. Workplace safety and health programs are routinely evaluated, and steps are taken to improve these programs.

Communication and Coordination for Host Employers, Contractors, and Staffing Agencies: Host employers, contractors, and staffing agencies are all responsible for providing the same level of safety and health protections to all employees. They communicate workplace hazards and work together to identify and resolve potential safety and health issues.

Making a Culture of Safety in the Workplace Last

In summary, a successful safety and health program hinges on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. By fostering open communication, investing in training, and actively involving workers, organizations can create a culture where safety isn’t just a priority—it’s a shared commitment.  A strong safety culture not only protects employees from harm but also contributes to overall organizational success.

Want to learn more about safety in the workplace?  See our article here.

Ready to strengthen the culture of safety in your workplace? Red Flag Reporting’s confidential hotline service gives employees an easy way to report safety hazards and concerns, anonymously or openly, and every report is delivered promptly to your organization’s designated contacts. We also never charge administrator license fees. Contact us today to learn how Red Flag Reporting can support your safety program.

Culture of Safety in the Workplace: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a culture of safety in the workplace?

A culture of safety in the workplace is the shared set of attitudes, beliefs, practices, and behaviors that employers, managers, and workers hold about safety and health on the job. In a strong safety culture, everyone takes ownership of preventing injuries and illnesses, and employees feel comfortable raising concerns without fear of retaliation.

What are OSHA’s seven core elements of a safety and health program?

OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs are built around seven core elements: management leadership; worker participation; hazard identification and assessment; hazard prevention and control; education and training; program evaluation and improvement; and communication and coordination for host employers, contractors, and staffing agencies.

Are OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs mandatory?

No. The Recommended Practices are advisory guidance rather than a standard or regulation, so they do not create new legal obligations on their own. Employers must still comply with applicable OSHA standards and with the General Duty Clause, which requires a workplace free from recognized serious hazards. Following the Recommended Practices is a practical way to build a program that supports those obligations.

Why is worker participation so important to workplace safety?

Workers are often closest to the hazards and are usually the first to notice unsafe conditions, near misses, and procedures that don’t work as intended. When they help set goals, identify hazards, and monitor progress, safety programs become more accurate and more widely supported. Federal law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for reporting safety and health concerns.

How can an anonymous hotline support a culture of safety in the workplace?

Some employees will not raise a concern face to face, particularly when the issue involves a supervisor or a coworker. A third-party hotline gives them a confidential channel to report hazards, unsafe practices, and near misses, anonymously if they choose. Reports are delivered to the organization’s designated personnel, who review and address them, giving leadership earlier visibility into risks before they lead to injuries.