Bryan Roessler interviewed Leslie Ptak, Compliance Assistance Specialist at the Madison OSHA Area Office, for her input on how best to engage employees in safety.

Bryan: What is your favorite principle to engage employees in an organization’s safety program?

Leslie: Responsive management. Management needs to be held accountable for how they respond to employee comments and concerns. Criteria for how they respond to employee safety concerns should be in their performance standards, and their bonuses and promotions should reflect how well they carry out these standards.

Bryan: What is an effective response?

Leslie: Employees need to feel comfortable making suggestions to management (no fear of retaliation) and secure that any alleged hazards will be addressed thoroughly, thoughtfully, and in a timely manner.