No matter what industry you are referring to, or at what level within that industry – whether it is those just starting out at the very bottom or those running things from the top – workplace safety is always a concern. Or at least it should be. Everyone deserves a safe place in which to earn his or her living and the oil & gas industry is often one of the most visible - and vulnerable - offenders. In fact, this industry is one of the most dangerous in all of the US. In Canada, organizations such as Enform have been created specifically to get Oil & gas workers home safely. Indeed, many workplaces aren’t as safe as they should be and our industry is no different. This can be for a number of reasons, such as lack of proper training, bad habits that have developed over time, or even sheer disregard for protocol. Oil & gas jobs can be dangerous and accordingly, safety protocols are critically important. Whether you are the owner of a small business or you are an HR manager for a multinational company, we’ve put together a few tips for you on how to create a culture of safety in the workplace. It’s never too late to start making improvements, and for those who already have a safe and comfortable workplace, there is no harm in additional training.

Where To Start

First things first – it’s crucial that everyone involved is aware of your ideas and is on board. Sure, you could send out an email explaining to everyone what your concerns are and what you plan on doing about it, but will that inspire them to actively participate? No.

Your first step should be calling a meeting.

Everyone involved – meaning everyone who is present in the workplace on a daily basis – should be present at this meeting. This will give you a chance to have open and honest discussions with the team about your concerns regarding the current state of the workplace’s safety. These discussions are also a great way to accept feedback or recommendations on alternative solutions, in addition to the one’s you’ve already considered.

The Solutions

Of course, there are a number of options available to help you create a safer and more mindful work environment for your team. These options cater to a variety of approaches, such as online programs vs. hands-on workshops or individual projects vs. group activities.  

 

While each of these exercises are helpful on their own, you can truly transform your workplace environment by implementing a combination of all of them. Have your staff complete safety courses and redo their on-site training annually, host monthly or even quarterly team building activities to keep your team connected and engaged with one another, and work every single day to keep the atmosphere and attitude of your workplace positive. Workplace safety is a combination of theory and training, relationships and trust, and morale. By nurturing each of these branches, you will be able to create a team that not only is capable of maintaining a safe environment but that also has the desire to.

Make the Change Today

Regardless of where you rank or what job you are doing, it’s important that you are able to do so safely – so wouldn’t you want the same for everyone else around you? Speak with your team today and take the first step towards making your workplace as safe as it can be!