4 Ways To Connect with Employees as a Safety Leader

Struggling to connect with employees? Try these 4 tips to get started on building relationships and supporting their well-being.

Being a safety professional means wearing many hats— teacher, trainer, auditor, enforcer, and inspector, to name a few. But at the core of these roles is a single purpose: protecting people. And that goes far beyond compliance.

True safety means looking out for your employees' physical, mental, and emotional well-being. But when you're busy enforcing standards and correcting unsafe behaviors, it's easy for friction to develop between you and the workforce. Nobody wants to be the "safety cop" and no employee wants to feel policed.

The key to bridging that gap between compliance and care is relationship-building. When employees feel seen, heard, and supported— not monitored— they're more likely to engage in safe behaviors, speak up about hazards, and support each other.

If you're looking to strengthen your relationship with employees and create a culture that promotes employee well-being, try these four practical strategies:

1. Understand their Motivation (And Their Stress)

When someone works unsafely or cuts corners, don't assume they don't care— ask why. Unsafe actions are often motivated by real challenges like production pressure, fatigue, poor ergonomics, or personal stress.

Approaching these situations with curiosity instead of judgment opens the door to finding solutions and fostering trust. You may even gain valuable insight into how work conditions or personal stress may be impacting safety.

Try This: "Hey, I'm worried that [behavior] could get someone hurt. What was going on in that moment?" or, "You really scared me when you... Is there something making it hard to do this job the safe way?"

Having these conversations gives employees permission to be honest and gives you insight into how you can make the workplace safer.

2. Recognize Safe Behavior and Positive Contributions

   
   

People thrive on recognition. Research shows that when employees believe their work will be recognized, they are 2.7 times more likely to be highly engaged. Recognition isn't just about compliance— it's about valuing people, which supports their sense of purpose and overall well-being.

Make it a point during your walk-throughs or team meetings to acknowledge safe behaviors and teamwork. Doing so boosts morale and normalizes positive reinforcement in the workplace.

Try This: Keep it simple, specific, and sincere. For example: "I noticed you took the time to check your harness before climbing. Great job! That's the kind of action that keeps everyone safe. Thank you!"

Small, frequent moments of appreciation add up to a culture where people feel good about doing the right thing.

3. Connect Safety to Personal Well-Being

Help employees understand how safety supports their life outside of work. When people understand that safe behavior means they get to go home healthy, spend time with family, and enjoy their jobbies, they take it more seriously.

Try This: Be intentional about connecting safety goals with personal goals in toolbox talks or team meetings.

Ask: What does staying safe at work allow you to do at home? How would your life change if you were hurt on the job today?What (or who) motivates you to work safely? Is it keeping up with your kids or grandkids, enjoying your hobbies, or something else?

Having these conversations emphasizes to employees that safety isn't just a policy; it's personal.

4. Promote a Culture That Cares

A psychologically safe, healthy workplace doesn't just happen. It's cultivated through leadership, empathy, and consistency. Employees are far more likely to prioritize safety when they feel supported, not scrutinized.

As a safety professional, you have the unique power to normalize open conversations, model self-awareness, and advocate for employee well-being. This includes:

• Supporting breaks to reduce fatigue

• Encouraging open reporting without fear or punishment

• Championing mental health and stress management resources

• Listening without judgment

In Closing

Being a safety professional is about more than rules and inspections—it's about building relationships that lead to safer, healthier workplaces. By taking the time to understand employees, recognize their contributions, connect safety to personal well-being, and promote a culture of care, you create something far more powerful than compliance: a safety culture rooted in trust, respect, and shared responsibility.

In the end, it's not just about preventing injuries—it's about helping people thrive both on and off the job.