The Scope

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. An excellent opportunity for teams to come together and celebrate one another. Allowing teams to have a break from their daily work routines, to experience something positively different within their work environment, undoubtedly enhances business. When employees have a regular outlet to channel their energy, something to look forward to when it comes to their place of employment, their safety behavior will start to change for the better. Their habits will change, their participation in keeping a safe work environment will increase, and above all they will have better attitudes and perceptions when it comes to health and safety.

During such festivities, management: take the opportunity to recognize individuals and if such recognitions are kept with a environmental, health, and safety focus then that will only get imprinted deeper within their memory bank. It can be very simple environmental, health, and safety focus topics. For example, thank someone for telling someone to restock first aid kit supplies. Or, praise someone for acknowledging their willingness and time for reporting a near miss. Or, positively point out to that individual their efforts with helping new employees know and understand internal environmental, health, and safety policies. The slightest appreciations for safety and health behaviors may seem trivial to the person giving it, yet in reality it could mean everything to the person receiving it. This demonstrates efforts of developing a positive rapport, in addition to building trust, and character.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!