Supervisors Set the Tone for Workplace Safety
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Supervisors play an influential role in workplace health and safety. While policies and procedures are important, it is the daily actions of supervisors that truly shape how safety is viewed and practiced on the job. Who is a supervisor? Anyone who supervises the work of another, even if they are not directly managing!
Workers pay close attention to what their supervisors do. If a supervisor consistently follows safety
procedures, wears required personal protective equipment (PPE), and addresses hazards
promptly, workers are more likely to do the same. On the other hand, if supervisors ignore safety
rules or cut corners when work gets busy, workers will often follow that example.
Leadership in safety is not just about enforcing rules. It is about demonstrating the importance of
safety through everyday decisions and behaviour.
Consider a few simple but telling examples:
Does the supervisor wear the required PPE when entering the work area?
When the yard gets busy, do they still put on high-visibility clothing?
Can they clearly explain where PPE is stored and how it is maintained?
Do they know what to do if a worker refuses unsafe work?
Do they encourage reporting of minor incidents and near misses?
A competent supervisor should be able to confidently answer questions and guide workers through the correct process when issues arise. Want more information on selecting competent supervisors? See our cheat sheet above!
One of the challenges many organizations face is how supervisors are selected. In many workplaces, employees are promoted to supervisory roles because of their experience or technical skills. While these are valuable qualities, being a supervisor also requires leadership skills and a strong understanding of workplace health and safety responsibilities. Did you know that supervisors can receive fines and jail time for being negligent in their duties? This is serious business!
This is why training is so important. In some jurisdictions, such as Ontario, employers are required to ensure supervisors complete training that helps them understand their health and safety duties and legal responsibilities. However, a single training course is rarely enough to build long-term competency.
Organizations that are successful in building strong supervisors usually take a more continuous approach. Some practical strategies include:
Regular refresher training to reinforce roles, responsibilities, and legal requirements.
Mentoring programs, where experienced supervisors support newly appointed ones.
Safety leadership discussions during supervisor meetings to review incidents, lessons learned, and expectations.
Encouraging supervisors to actively participate in inspections, incident investigations, and Joint Health and Safety Committee activities.
Ultimately, supervisors set the tone for the workplace. Their decisions, actions, and attitudes influence how workers perceive safety every day. When supervisors lead by example and demonstrate that safety is a priority, it becomes part of the culture of the organization.
Investing in supervisor training and development is therefore one of the most effective ways an organization can strengthen its overall health and safety performance. If you are looking for some skill-building opportunities for 2026, why not join our webinar series? Find more information here: https://www.systems24-7.com/webinars/skillbuilding
