They Don’t Have a Safety Problem—They Have a Leadership Problem

By Abbie Geigle

When workplace safety problems keep showing up, the first response is often predictable: add more training, write another policy, or schedule another safety meeting.

Those steps can help. But sometimes they address the symptom instead of the real problem.

Because in many workplaces, the issue isn’t a lack of safety information.

It’s a leadership problem.

Employees can complete required courses, attend toolbox talks, sign policies, and review procedures. But if supervisors and managers don’t reinforce those expectations on the job, little changes.

Workers notice when a supervisor ignores a shortcut because production is behind. They notice when management talks about safety but rewards speed above everything else. They notice when rules are enforced for some employees but overlooked for others.

Over time, those actions send a stronger message than any written policy.

What leadership allows becomes the real standard.

Strong safety leadership starts with clear expectations. Employees should understand what safe performance looks like, what behaviors are unacceptable, when they should stop work, and who they can approach when they have concerns.

Communication also needs to go both ways. Leaders should ask employees what hazards they are seeing, where procedures may be difficult to follow, and whether production pressures are encouraging unsafe shortcuts. The people performing the work often have valuable insight into risks that leaders may otherwise miss.

Accountability is equally important. When unsafe behavior is ignored, employees quickly learn that safety expectations are optional. Accountability should not simply focus on blame. Leaders should ask whether the employee was properly trained, whether the right equipment was available, whether procedures were realistic, and whether supervisory decisions contributed to the situation.

Most importantly, leaders must model the behavior they expect.

Wear the required PPE. Follow procedures. Stop unsafe work. Report hazards. Participate in training. Recognize employees who make safe decisions.

OSHAcademy course 712 Safety Supervision and Leadership can help supervisors better understand their responsibilities for creating safe and healthful workplaces, strengthening accountability, and demonstrating effective safety leadership.

Organizations looking for broader supervisor development may also consider OSHAcademy’s 36-hour OSH Supervisor Program, which provides more comprehensive safety and health training for supervisors and managers.

Training matters. Policies matter. Safety meetings matter.

But none of them can replace leadership.

If the same safety problems keep returning, the organization may not need another rule or meeting.

It may need leaders who set expectations, communicate clearly, model safe behavior, and hold people accountable.