How can safety directors get more buy-in from workers to ensure an injury-free workplace? According to Sara Young, the safety and training director at Tice Electric Co., Portland, Ore., and a journeyman electrician in Oregon and Washington, the answer is involving everyone so they all have a say in how issues are worked out—instead of just hearing, “This is how we do it.” Young is a member of the Oregon State Electrical and Elevator Board and the Oregon-Columbia Chapter NECA Joint Legislative Committee. She participates in many safety committees in Portland.

What sparked your interest in getting into the safety profession?

I was working as a foreman electrician when the opportunity to take over the safety position at my company came up. Honestly, as a working mom, I took a serious look at it because it was a good fit for my family. Once I started to consider taking the job, my interest sparked at the opportunity to make a change for the better and to revamp a lackluster program at my company. As a field employee, I had my own experience and feedback from those around me on what needed to be changed. It was exciting to take that on.

What safety practices have been particularly effective?

I send out an informal weekly safety email to everyone with updates, sometimes videos and some training, and we have just tried to create more dialogue around safety between the office and the field. I think the most effective safety practices are just getting everyone brought in so that they all have a say and are involved in safety.

Is there a specific injury or almost-injury that changed how you thought about safety on the job?

The “everyday” injuries are the most thought-provoking for me. Strains, sprains and falls—stuff that could happen to anyone anytime if they become complacent. It really makes you think about how safety must be constantly top of mind or one little thing can be incredibly impactful to the employee, their family, co-workers and the company.

What challenges do you face in managing safety responsibilities for your company?

One of my biggest challenges is getting crews to understand the importance of the paperwork. We like to stay as practical as possible when it comes to safety documentation because too much can have a negative impact. When a field employee has to answer practical safety questions that help them or their co-workers do their jobs and go home to their families at night, then they are happy to do it.

When they can’t see the point, then you have unhappy employees that aren’t going to provide well thought out answers. Sometimes, this isn’t in our control because of customers, and that makes things difficult for me. I have to balance ensuring the field is involved and aware and getting the information to the customer without negatively impacting our crew’s safety culture.

How do you encourage crews to take safety seriously on the job?

Lots of communication and reminders about what can go wrong when they don’t. [No one wants] to get injured themselves or see another person get injured on the job. It can be easy to lose sight of safe practices when you haven’t experienced or heard about any injuries in a while.

I’ll report [injury data] to the entire company. It’s good to hear what’s going on so that you remember to take safety seriously. It takes lots of communication and the ability to share and receive feedback to make sure that safety is “working” on the job.

Do you have any other advice for safety professionals?

Be practical and try to understand what the employees in the field need. They’ll be more involved if they can work through something with you instead of just hearing, “This is how we do it.” Safety fails when it’s just a bunch of rules for rules’ sake. It’s meant to help someone to do their job safely. Remember that it’s your job to help them figure out how to do that.

Sara Young