Workplace Safety and Your WHY
Safety as a priority in the workplace is essential to the wellbeing of all employees. Not only does it improve general morale, performance, and efficiency, it goes beyond the job site and affects every aspect of your life. If your personal safety is in question, it is inevitable that what follows is an additional, unnecessary layer of stress, distraction, and anxiety. This puts everyone, including you, at higher risk of accident and injury, especially when there are already hazards and risks present. It is your legal and personal right to be able to arrive at work and trust both your employer and fellow coworkers to maintain a safe work environment and culture. The ultimate reward is for you and your coworkers to return home as healthy as you all came.
A workplace culture that prioritizes safety and wellbeing doesn’t just happen by accident. Of course, your employer is responsible for providing the necessary tools, training, and equipment for physical safety. However, beyond this, you as the employee play an important role as well. It is essential that everyone stays informed on safety protocol and is motivated every day to carry it out. There is one main thing that fuels your motivation to create and sustain this safety culture and that is your personal “why”. A greater purpose in life that goes beyond your job description. If you don’t know what your “why” is, you can start by asking yourself some questions like these:
Who do you return home to every day?
Who do you need to be healthy for?
Why do you value your income?
Why are you in this line of work?
What are you working toward?
What is your goal in life, and how is this job playing a part in getting you there?
Perhaps it is to be the best version of yourself for your spouse or your children or your friends and family. Your “why” for getting out of bed every day could be to work toward building a legacy you are proud of. It could be as necessary as providing a stable living for you and your family or to pay off debt and gain financial freedom. Maybe it is to contribute to the welfare of others through your line of work or to be of service to your community. You may want to use your skills, knowledge, and abilities to serve others or be a force for good in this unpredictable, messy world. Maybe you have big dreams for your career and would like to be an honorable leader in your field. Only you know the answer and it is worth your effort to find it. Ask yourself those questions and you’ll be well on your way to finding this bigger mission for your life.
Your greatest gain from knowing your “why” is a more positive outlook on both life and work. But even beyond the personal benefit of realizing this purpose, it makes a massive impact on your ability to be an intentional safety advocate in your workplace. You may be wondering how your life’s greater purpose and safety in the workplace go together. The truth is they go hand in hand. Your “why” will give you an added incentive to help keep your job site as safe as possible. It goes far deeper than the day-to-day tasks of your specific occupation. This bigger purpose can fuel your desire to be more familiar with your company’s safety protocol, to be a better employee overall, and even beyond that to teach and inspire others to do the same. In addition, it will heighten your awareness of yourself and your surroundings and help you see the bigger picture. Your reason for coming to work every day gives you a glimpse into why safety is so crucial for you and your coworkers. When work is a safe place, you can go home safe and focus on pursuing your greater mission in life.
There are many safety protocols in place, but it’s important to realize that written regulations and policies can only go so far. Everybody needs to be aware and on board to put safety into action. As you go about your workday with this in mind, you will quickly realize that you can’t do it alone. Each employee, no matter their position, is integral to the overall safety and security of your job site. As an individual, you do play an important role and can make a difference in the existence and success of safety culture at work. With a safety mindset, you can inspire and encourage your fellow coworkers to make safety a priority right alongside you. When you are equipped with your greater purpose and intentionality toward creating a safe work environment you can make a big difference. Consider it a privilege to be able to help others realize the importance of making workplace safety a high priority and putting safety protocol into action.
When you can arrive at work and trust that it’s a safe place for you and your coworkers, you can be an even better employee and avoid the stress and anxiety that added risk brings. You can go back home a healthier, happier version of you and give your best self to your greater purpose. With safety as a mindset and priority, you and your team can focus on the task at hand without distraction. You can be a positive influence to lower risk and therefore increase productivity and quality, boost overall morale and wellbeing, and lower possibility of injury for yourself and your coworkers. These are tremendous, priceless benefits of placing safety first. Your “why” will give you the endurance you need to keep safety a number one priority on your job site and encourage your team members to follow suit. With a safety advocate mindset, you have the opportunity and privilege to contribute to reaching that goal for yourself and your colleagues: to return home safe so you can invest your time and health in your greater purpose in life.