How to Roll Out a Safety Policy, Effectively
Posted by Cori Alfreds on
As a safety consultant, developing safety programs and policies are just part of the job. But implementing these policies effectively on a field level takes some skill.
We use the following three criteria when moving our polices from a computer to site: 1) timeliness 2) simplicity and 3) compliance
1. Timeliness: Timing is Everything
Introducing a safety policy must be done at the right moment to ensure maximum impact. Rolling out a heat exposure safety policy in the dead of winter, for example, is unlikely to resonate. Safety policies should be introduced when they are most relevant, such as immediately following a near-miss. When an incident occurs, employees naturally become more aware of safety concerns, making them more receptive to new initiatives.
This is when you, as a safety consultant, can capitalize on the heightened awareness. Employees are likely to unite around a safety initiative because they instinctively understand that it could have been them who got hurt. This inherent human desire for self-preservation that happens subconsciously in all of us, makes it the perfect time to introduce your policy as you have the workers full attention.
2. Simplicity: The Ikea Approach 
Simplicity is key to ensuring that a safety policy is followed. Just as IKEA has grown into a multi-billion dollar company with simple, picture-based assembly instructions, your safety policies should be straightforward and easy to implement. Complex instructions can overwhelm employees and your clients, leading to confusion, non-compliance, or even incorrect application of safety procedures.
Over the years, I've often been tasked with simplifying overly complicated safety manuals. These manuals, while technically accurate, were so dense that workers simply ignored them. By simplifying the content, we increased compliance and improved overall safety on the job site. The lesson here is clear: the simpler the policy, the more likely it is to be followed, reducing the risk of incidents and potential liability. The best safety manual sitting on a shelf collecting dust is actually the worst one.
3. Compliance: Trust an Expert 
Compliance is a non-negotiable aspect of any safety policy. Whether you’re adhering to government regulations like the Certificate of Recognition (COR), meeting specific client safety standards, or complying with local, state, or provincial laws, your program must meet all relevant requirements.
Understanding the legal language is crucial. For example, in legal terms, "shall" indicates a mandatory requirement, while "should" is a recommendation. This distinction is critical in ensuring that your policy complies with all necessary standards.
As safety professionals, it’s our duty to translate complex safety legislation into clear, actionable steps that workers can easily follow. The 10,000-hour rule, popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers, suggests that it takes roughly five years of dedicated practice to achieve mastery in a particular field. With this level of expertise, safety professionals are uniquely positioned to distill complex safety requirements into practical, effective safety policies.
Partner with Experts for Comprehensive Safety Solutions
At The Safety Doc Shop we understand the importance of timeliness, simplicity, and compliance in safety policies. The Safety Doc Shop has you covered on two of three criteria discussed above, and for full coverage to meet all three roll out criteria, use our partner Coastal Safety Consulting Ltd. to help come up with a schedule for you to make sure it’s the right time!