Building a Workplace Safety Culture

Creating a safe and healthy space is more important than ever. While physical safety has always been a focus, mental and emotional well-being, psychological safety has always been important but is now getting the recognition it deserves. A workplace safety culture that includes both physical and psychological safety not only protects
our people but also helps businesses thrive.
Here, we will try to explain what psychological safety is, why it’s important for workplace mental health, what the benefits are and how we can contribute to a stronger workplace safety culture.

A Short Intro to Psychological Safety

Psychological safety is the feeling of speaking up, sharing ideas, or raising concerns at work without fear of being punished, embarrassed, or judged. When employees feel psychologically safe, they know their opinions and thoughts are valued, and they aren’t afraid of making mistakes.

Another way to come at this is how many conversations don’t happen because people don’t feel safe to speak up? How much information is not conveyed because people are protecting themselves? 

It is believed that a professor at Harvard, namely Amy Edmondson coined the term “psychological safety”. She describes it as the belief that “one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes.”

In simpler terms, psychological safety is about feeling respected and accepted in the workplace, no matter your role or experience.

The Connection Between Psychological Safety and Workplace Mental Health

A workplace that promotes psychological safety helps protect workplace mental health. This means reducing stress, anxiety, and burnout—common issues in today’s workplaces. Here are some ways psychological safety can help:

1. Lower Stress: When employees feel they can communicate openly, they are less likely to feel stressed or worried about making mistakes or sharing ideas.
2. Improved Well-Being: Research shows that when employees feel heard and valued, their overall mental health improves. In fact, a 2019 Gallup study found that workers who feel supported by their managers are 70% less likely to experience burnout.
3. Encourages Openness: Employees who feel psychologically safe are more likely to ask for help, admit when they’re struggling, or even report mental health issues early. This leads to quicker support and solutions.

Why Is Workplace Safety Culture Important?

A workplace safety culture is an environment where employees feel that safety is a priority. This includes both physical safety and emotional or psychological safety.

When businesses build a strong workplace safety culture, it leads to:

Fewer Accidents: Employees who feel safe to ask questions or report unsafe conditions help prevent accidents. 

Better Teamwork: When employees feel psychologically safe, they work better together. They aren’t afraid to ask for help or give feedback. Teams that trust each other are more productive and create a more positive workplace

environment.

Higher Job Satisfaction: Employees in a positive safety culture are happier in their jobs. A 2021 study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that employees who feel safe and supported are 50% more likely to stay with their company long-term.

How to Build a Workplace Safety Culture with Psychological Safety

Now that we know how important psychological safety is, let’s look at some ways businesses can build a workplace safety culture that includes it.

1. Encourage Open Communication

The first step in creating a psychologically safe workplace is to encourage open communication. This means less blame and more listening. Leaders and managers should let employees know that their ideas and concerns are welcome.

You can promote open communication by:

• Holding regular team meetings where everyone gets a chance to speak
• Asking for feedback from employees about how they feel in their work environment
• Creating anonymous suggestion boxes for those who may feel nervous about speaking up

2. Support Each Other

Leaders play a key role in creating a supportive environment. Managers should be role models by showing empathy, listening carefully, and acknowledging when they make mistakes. When leaders admit their mistakes, it creates a culture where employees feel safe to do the same.

In fact, research by Gallup has shown that managers account for at least 70% of the variance in employee engagement. This means a manager’s support has a huge impact on how safe and engaged employees feel. They say you don’t leave the job, you leave your manager!

3. Create a Safe Physical Environment

Psychological safety is important to ensure that the physical workplace is safe. Making good decisions is key and a psychologically safe environment really helps people to do this.

Regular risk assessments, clear safety guidelines, and providing the right protective equipment are all part of building a strong workplace safety culture but how we execute this comes down to the quality of our decisions.

Conclusion

Building a workplace safety culture that includes psychological safety isn’t just about reducing accidents – it’s about creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and free to speak their minds. And it does reduce incidents because we make better decisions.

When businesses focus on both physical safety and workplace mental health, everyone wins. Employees feel happier and healthier, teamwork improves, and the company benefits from greater productivity and retention. By fostering open communication, supporting mental health, and encouraging safe behaviours, businesses can create a thriving workplace safety culture.