Workplace safety tips: 10 ways to improve safety culture

Every injury prevented is a life protected—and a step toward a stronger, more productive workplace. Creating a culture of safety doesn’t happen by accident. It takes commitment, consistency and clear communication.

Explore these 10 actionable strategies to help your organization reduce accidents and protect your team. For more tools and templates, visit our worker safety program Every STEP Counts.

Top 10 workplace safety tips

1. Make safety a core value. Safety starts at the top. Leaders must model safe behavior and ensure that written procedures are followed. Establishing a safety committee can help reinforce this commitment by involving employees in identifying risks, reviewing incidents, and promoting accountability. When safety is prioritized and supported by leadership and a dedicated team, employees are more likely to take it seriously.
2. Train thoroughly and often. Providing consistent, comprehensive safety training across all aspects of your operations isn’t just a compliance measure—it’s a smart business decision. Well-trained employees are more confident, make fewer mistakes, and are less likely to be injured on the job.
3. Hire the right people. Establishing a safe workplace begins with selecting and onboarding properly qualified people with the right skill sets. Proper placement reduces risk and improves performance. Make sure you place the right candidate in the right position.
4. Investigate every incident. Look into all accidents and near-misses. Identify root causes and learn from these events. Make the necessary changes to work procedures, processes or equipment to help prevent recurrences.
5. Provide the right PPE. Equip employees with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for each task. Allow employees some choice in the type of PPE they use, whenever possible. Verify regularly that PPE is in good working order and fits each employee properly.
6. Maintain equipment proactively. Regular maintenance keeps machinery in safe working order. Always follow Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures before performing maintenance to ensure equipment is de-energized and safe to work on. Repair or replace worn parts promptly, and document all maintenance activities to support accountability and compliance.
7. Establish and maintain emergency action plans. Make sure workers know what to do in the event of fires, severe weather, or medical emergencies with a emergency action plan (EAP). Conduct regular drills, assign clear roles and keep emergency equipment accessible to ensure a quick, effective response.
8. Teach proper use of tools, equipment and machines. Workers should be able to recognize the hazards associated with the tools, equipment or machines they use, and the necessary safety precautions. Be sure to document the training. 
9. Keep workspaces clean. Maintaining good housekeeping of your facilities, grounds and equipment can help prevent accidents and injuries. A clean, organized facility is not only safer—it’s also more efficient.
10. Conduct regular safety inspections. Ensure all machinery and equipment safeguards are in place and functioning properly. Use inspections as an opportunity to reinforce safe habits, correct issues early, and reference findings from Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) to proactively address potential risks. Integrating JHA insights helps tailor inspections to specific tasks and hazards, enhancing overall workplace safety.

Ready to take the next step?

Creating a safer, more productive workplace starts with small, intentional steps. By applying these 10 practical tips—from leadership commitment to proactive maintenance—you can help reduce accidents and protect your team.

Visit Every STEP Counts to explore Nationwide’s worker safety program and discover tools, training and resources to build a stronger safety culture in your organization.