We all have reasons behind why we do what we do in life. What motivates one person may not be the same as another person. Even what gets you up each day to come to work can be a different motivation. For some, having a sense of purpose gets us up. For others, getting that paycheck to pay your bills and have the lifestyle you desire is motivation. When it comes to what motivates you to work safely each day, we should all have the same basic motives.
The overall goal of workplace safety is to make sure employees are working safely to avoid injuries that can be costly in many ways. Injuries can affect us as individuals, but they can also impact our families as well. It is not just the financial burden: Workplace injuries can bring added stressors that weigh heavily on both work and family dynamics.
When every employee is dedicated to working safely, we all benefit from that commitment. So, what’s your reason to work safely? The following are five reasons to work safely every day.
- Your health. Your biggest motivator should be your own health. If you’re willing to put your own health at risk to get the job done then you need to reconsider your motivation. Getting injured is never good for our health. In fact, some injuries could end up affecting us long term or even permanently.
- Your family. Your family and friends depend on you coming home safely each day. For your family, the income you bring home is an important part of your family dynamics. If you have an injury, workers' compensation will only pay about two-thirds of your salary. Long-term, this could create some financial burden on your family and lifestyle.
- Your reputation. Your reputation at work can affect many things. Working safely should be highly regarded and if you are known as someone who takes safety seriously, you should have a better chance at promotions and raises since safety should be integrated into employee evaluations.
- Your coworkers. Working safely not only protects you, but also those employees working around you. Everyone’s safety on the job requires all of us to be a part of making the workplace safe. Your coworkers are counting on you to work safely.
- Your company. Being an employee at your company should provide you many benefits as well as your salary. When we all work safely it allows our companies to thrive and grow which means your salary will also grow as well. Your company depends on you showing up and working safely each day.
The bottom line is no employee wants to get injured. No one wakes up and decides, “Today is the day I get injured.” Yet for far too many, that’s what ends up happening because safety protocols were not followed that day. Even just a one-time poor decision can have devastating impacts on you, your families, your coworkers and your company.
Be motivated to work safely every day and go home every day the same way you arrived at work.
Ronnie Freeman is safety director for Mount Pleasant (South Carolina) Waterworks and Safety Committee chair for the Water Environmental Association of South Carolina.
