Fear of retaliation can hinder the willingness of workers to voice concerns regarding safety, say SUSS’ Victor Seah and Angela Tan.
Every life lost is one too many, but 2023’s number marks a significant improvement from the 46 deaths, or 1.3 deaths per 100,000 workers, in 2022.
Since then, the workplace fatal injury rate has fallen about 80 per cent. As World Day for Safety and Health at Work approaches on Apr 28, it is timely to consider how Singapore can keep workplace deaths to a minimum over the next 20 years and beyond.Clearly, it will require the combined effort of stakeholders such as business owners, directors, unions, supervisors, workers, suppliers and contractors.
The heightened safety period introduced in 2022 may have led to 2023’s record low workplace fatality rate but it is centred on “sticks” such as demerit points and risks of disqualification from tendering for projects and other penalties. There is a body of evidence supporting the role of feeling psychologically safe and speaking up for safety. For instance, you may think that workers who have previously been injured at work are more likely to be vigilant, and to be more willing to speak up for safety. A study published in Safety Science in 2014 found this to be true, but only if those who sustained past injuries also report feeling high levels of psychological safety.
If you are a leader, develop a habit to routinely ask workers about their safety concerns. This demonstrates care and concern and may also uncover less obvious safety concerns such as a fear of heights or discomfort with certain tasks. The use of rewards for safety can also be effective. Used judiciously, leaders can signal to employees that safety behaviours are valued and are the expected norms in an organisation.
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