Team building helps improve relationships in a group to increase productivity, engagement and efficiency in the workplace. Most organizations understand that having a cohesive unit can increase trust among employees, company morale, communication, profit and productivity. As a result, nearly two-thirds of all employers find team building exercises beneficial. It is estimated that one in five employers invest in these activities monthly. One indirect benefit of team building is the positive effect it can have on safety culture. 

Building a safety culture

Effective communication can help lower the chance of injuries, streamline operations and improve overall safety. It can also aid in compliance with regulatory requirements and safety protocols and facilitate a positive safety culture. Employers and workers who prioritize open and transparent communication create an environment where employees feel comfortable enough to report unsafe conditions, identify hazards and speak up about near-miss incidents.

The term “safety culture” originated from studies done on employers that consistently reduce adverse events in complex and hazardous environments, including the construction and electrical fields. Experts frequently discuss this concept and find it difficult to define. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration states that “Safety cultures consist of shared beliefs, practices, and attitudes that exist at an establishment. Culture is the atmosphere created by those beliefs, attitudes, etc., which shape our behavior.” 

Organizations with a strong safety culture often see lower incident rates, less turnover and absenteeism and higher productivity. They also tend to exhibit fewer at-risk behaviors. 

Characteristics of strong safety culture may include a lack of competing priorities, a safety-first mentality, high participation rates in nonmandatory training and briefings, workers knowledgeable on safety and health, and greater job satisfaction. Employers with poor safety culture are likely to have higher turnover, lower worker engagement, more unhappy employees, weaker customer relations and fewer profit margins. Successful organizations should view safety not as an option but as a condition of employment. 

Employers seeking to develop or improve their safety culture must be patient and understand it takes time. It requires trust and buy-in from all. This is no different than the goal of overall cultural improvement targeted through team building activities. 

Organizations should view team building as an investment to improve the company’s overall performance. Financial commitment shows workers that their well-being is important, including their safety and health. Inability to dedicate time and resources for these functions sends a message that their wellness is not a priority. Although time and money are not the only necessary resources, both are key elements to developing culture.

According to “4 Types of Team Building Techniques for Modern Organizations,” from Villanova University, “Many organizations today hire diverse teams and rely on the team members’ collaboration to reach business objectives. It’s critical that managers reduce conflict among team members and ensure their teams are working to their full potential. Team building activities are a great way to bring team members together and educate them on the different personalities, strengths and weaknesses of their coworkers. Effective team building strategies can help employees work cohesively and play toward each individual member’s strengths. There are four types of team building techniques leaders can choose from that help their teams achieve various goals.” 

The four types of team building activities are based on personality, activity, skills and problem solving.

Building a good team

While team building activities can be uncomfortable and feel like an obligation for some workers, when done effectively, the results speak for themselves. Activities such as outings to concerts, sporting events, escape rooms and obstacle courses can be fun ways for workers to bond; more traditional activities such as picnics may feel like an obligation. 

The goals of team building activities are to convey appreciation, build a sense of belonging, identify workers’ talents, share a common purpose and celebrate together. Some ways employers can achieve this may include giving away merchandise such as branded shirts, coffee mugs or hats to employees; establishing goals together; communicating a shared vision; developing clear, familiar communication; and defining a solid set of values, principles and a code of conduct. 

One other component is building the team itself. The Society for Human Resource Management indicates, “HR has a vital role in perpetuating a strong culture, starting with recruiting and selecting applicants who will share the organization’s beliefs and thrive in that culture. HR also develops orientation, training and performance management programs that outline and reinforce the organization’s core values and ensures that appropriate rewards and recognition go to employees who truly embody the values.”

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