From checkmark to working safely

Toolbox meetings as a tool

Working safely is important. You know that and so do your colleagues. Nevertheless, we see that many companies mainly focus on achieving checkmarks: getting the certification back in order. But checkmarks are of little use, if colleagues do not apply the knowledge. How do you make the step from checkmark to truly working safely?

Why working safely is important

An accident can lie in a small corner. Especially in the workplace. Danger lurks everywhere. For example, you can fall through a roof, if you are not paying attention, or have an accident while walking around a warehouse. The result? A colleague is unable to perform their job for an extended period of time and may have a permanent injury.

It usually goes well

Usually things go well and an accident does not occur. This is just as well, but it is a trap at the same time. The more often a wrong action goes right anyway, the greater the chance that a colleague will work unsafely.

Some safety regulations are tedious and colleagues then more easily “do something quickly” without thinking about possible risks. For example, if you just want to ask someone at a construction site something, you may be less likely to put on a safety helmet. It went well the previous times, didn’t it? And putting on that helmet is just a hassle.

It is precisely moments like these when the risks are greatest. A small moment of inattention can have far-reaching consequences.

Ticking boxes for the inspection

Many companies want to tick the boxes because of inspections or a possible audit. Therefore, they organize special courses and trainings to teach colleagues the theory. They then get a certificate. Very important, but in many cases colleagues already know the theory. They have taken courses before, or learned about working safely during their training.

The difference between knowing and doing

Knowing you should do something does not mean you will actually do it. For example, we know that regular exercise and getting enough sleep are good for us. However, we do not always do something with this piece of information. And that is the way it goes in the workplace. Your colleagues know it, but do not always show the behavior that comes with working safely. Getting all the necessary checkmarks is therefore often not enough to create a safe workplace. That starts with awareness.

Toolbox meetings for increased awareness

In our toolbox library you will find more than 70 ready-to-use toolbox meetings with a focus on awareness. They help your colleagues become more aware of unsafe situations, but also show where bottlenecks are.

For example, why do colleagues not implement certain safety requirements properly, and what can the company itself do to facilitate safe work practices? By starting the conversation with each other, you are already making a good, first step.

Make incident reporting easy

Awareness begins with recognizing hazards. Therefore, it is important that incidents are reported. This allows colleagues to see what incidents are occurring and recognize a potential risk more quickly.

Incident reporting should not be too complicated. The more steps your colleagues have to take, the more likely they are not to do it. With the DareToCare app, reporting incidents is very easy. Uploading a photo with a small note is all it takes. This way, all colleagues know where the incident occurred and can discuss it during a toolbox meeting.