In the realm of employee safety and health, valuable lessons often emerge from real-world experiences.

In this article, human resources (HR) managers and safety leaders share their most impactful insights, providing a window into effective policy development.

The first insight emphasizes the importance of reiterating training points regularly, setting a strong foundation for employee safety. The final takeaway highlights the significance of building a culture of trust, rounding out five unique perspectives from industry leaders.
 

• Reiterate Training Points Regularly
• Customize Training for Real-world Scenarios
• Foster Open Communication
• Address Mental Health Proactively
• Listen to Staff Feedback

Reiterate Training Points Regularly

It is critical to reiterate training points and not just assume that one training session equates to employees being fully comfortable or confident with health and safety protocols.

Like any kind of workplace training, you have to ensure it’s done in an ongoing manner, and that a follow-up procedure is in place each time training is complete in order to reiterate core points.

Wendy Makinson, HR Manager, Joloda Hydraroll

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Customize Training for Real-world Scenarios

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned about employee safety and health is that generic training just doesn't cut it. Especially in high-risk areas like confined spaces and height safety, every role faces its own unique set of challenges. Early on, I noticed that standard, one-size-fits-all programs often left workers unprepared for the actual conditions they'd face. So, we shifted our focus. Now, our training is customized, hands-on, and entirely grounded in real-world scenarios.

This shift has completely reshaped our approach at Height Dynamics. Instead of simply ticking boxes to meet regulatory standards, we aim to exceed them. Our policies now focus on getting employees genuinely ready for the situations they'll encounter, not just compliant on paper. The results have been remarkable. We've seen fewer incidents and a stronger commitment to safety from every member of the team.

Interestingly, this approach extends far beyond high-risk sectors. In the corporate world, generic training, whether compliance, health and safety, or team-building, often fails to prepare employees for real challenges. Practical, scenario-based training makes a difference everywhere. When training aligns with day-to-day roles, employees take ownership, feel more engaged, and perform better. Customized, hands-on training is essential across industries to build a safer, more capable workforce.

Guy Pearce, Director & Safety Expert, Height Dynamics

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Foster Open Communication

An important lesson I've learned from enhancing employee safety and health is the significance of open communication. Early in my efforts, I noticed that assumptions about employee needs could lead to gaps in safety measures. By fostering an environment where employees felt safe to voice their concerns and suggestions, I was able to identify issues that weren't initially obvious.

This direct feedback has played a crucial role in shaping policies that are more inclusive and effective. For example, implementing regular anonymous surveys allows employees to provide honest input about safety concerns without fear of retribution.

This approach resulted in adopting more ergonomic equipment and establishing mental health resources that have significantly improved workplace wellness. Creating a two-way dialogue ensures that the policies are not only strategically sound but also practically beneficial to everyone involved.

Kristie Tse, Psychotherapist | Mental Health Expert | Founder, Uncover Mental Health Counseling

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Address Mental Health Proactively

I recently spearheaded a campaign to raise awareness and educate employees about mental health in the workplace. Through this process, I learned the importance of addressing mental health as part of our overall safety and wellness initiatives.

This lesson has shaped our current policies by including mental health resources and support in our employee benefits packages, implementing regular mental health check-ins with managers, and providing training for employees on how to recognize signs of distress in themselves and their colleagues. We have also established a safe space for open discussions around mental health and implemented resources for managing stress and burnout.

I have seen a positive impact on employee well-being, engagement, and productivity. This experience has taught me the importance of proactively addressing mental health in the workplace and continuously reviewing and updating our policies to prioritize employee safety and wellness.

Daniel Cook, HR, Mullen and Mullen

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Listen to Staff Feedback

One important lesson I've learned as a medical director is that truly listening to staff makes a huge difference in improving both safety and health outcomes. To be honest, I didn't anticipate that the anonymous system we had put in place for staff members to report any safety issues would have such a significant impact.

But soon, we started getting reports about issues we hadn't even thought about, like poor ventilation in certain sections of the building. It wasn't something we had noticed from a management perspective, but it was affecting the staff's comfort and even their breathing at times. Fixing this problem made a noticeable difference in their daily work experience, and it showed them that their input directly led to improvements.

I now approach our health and safety regulations quite differently as a result of this event. I came to see that making sure employees feel free to voice their opinions is just as important as establishing regulations in order to create a safe workplace.

After fixing the ventilation, we also invested in better ergonomic workstations because staff mentioned they were dealing with discomfort from prolonged standing and repetitive tasks. It wasn't just about addressing complaints; it was about preventing long-term issues that could lead to bigger health problems. We now handle safety in a way that is centered on open communication and prompt action, demonstrating the importance of everyone's voice in fostering a healthier work environment.

Maria Knobel, Medical Director, Medical Cert UK

Author Bio

Brett Farmiloe is the CEO & Founder of Featured.

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