Safety Questions to Ask Employees
Essential safety questions to ask employees, helping identify workplace hazards, improve safety culture, and ensure everyone goes home safely at the end of each day.
1What safety hazards or concerns have you noticed in your work area?
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What safety hazards or concerns have you noticed in your work area?
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Why this works
Identifies potential dangers that employees encounter daily, leveraging their firsthand knowledge to improve workplace safety.
2Have you experienced or witnessed any near-miss incidents recently?
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Have you experienced or witnessed any near-miss incidents recently?
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Why this works
Reveals close calls that could become serious accidents, providing opportunities to prevent future incidents.
3Do you have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and do you know how to use it correctly?
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Do you have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and do you know how to use it correctly?
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Why this works
Ensures employees have and understand how to use essential safety equipment that protects them from harm.
4What safety training have you received, and do you feel adequately prepared for your job?
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What safety training have you received, and do you feel adequately prepared for your job?
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Why this works
Assesses training effectiveness and identifies gaps in safety knowledge or skills.
5Do you feel comfortable reporting safety concerns or stopping work if you see something unsafe?
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Do you feel comfortable reporting safety concerns or stopping work if you see something unsafe?
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Why this works
Measures psychological safety and empowerment to speak up about dangers without fear of retaliation.
6What safety procedures or protocols do you find confusing or difficult to follow?
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What safety procedures or protocols do you find confusing or difficult to follow?
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Why this works
Identifies opportunities to simplify or clarify safety procedures that may be ineffective due to complexity.
7Have you ever felt pressured to cut corners or skip safety procedures to meet deadlines?
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Have you ever felt pressured to cut corners or skip safety procedures to meet deadlines?
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Why this works
Reveals whether production pressure is compromising safety, indicating cultural or management issues.
8What could we do to improve safety in your work area or department?
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What could we do to improve safety in your work area or department?
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Why this works
Solicits employee input on safety improvements, leveraging their practical experience and observations.
9Do you understand the emergency procedures for fire, evacuation, or medical emergencies?
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Do you understand the emergency procedures for fire, evacuation, or medical emergencies?
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Why this works
Ensures employees know how to respond to emergencies, which is critical for protecting lives.
10Have you noticed anyone working unsafely or not following safety procedures?
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Have you noticed anyone working unsafely or not following safety procedures?
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Why this works
Identifies unsafe behaviors or practices that could lead to accidents and need to be addressed.
11What tools or equipment need maintenance or replacement for safe operation?
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What tools or equipment need maintenance or replacement for safe operation?
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Why this works
Identifies equipment issues that could cause injuries if not addressed promptly.
12Do you experience any physical discomfort or strain from your work activities?
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Do you experience any physical discomfort or strain from your work activities?
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Why this works
Identifies ergonomic issues that could lead to musculoskeletal injuries over time.
13Are safety signs and warnings clearly visible and understandable in your work area?
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Are safety signs and warnings clearly visible and understandable in your work area?
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Why this works
Ensures safety communication is effective and employees can easily identify hazards and precautions.
14Have you received adequate training on how to properly lift, move, or handle materials?
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Have you received adequate training on how to properly lift, move, or handle materials?
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Why this works
Assesses training on common injury-causing activities and identifies needs for additional instruction.
15Do you know where the first aid supplies and emergency equipment are located?
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Do you know where the first aid supplies and emergency equipment are located?
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Why this works
Ensures employees can quickly access emergency resources when injuries or accidents occur.
16What suggestions do you have for improving our safety meetings or training sessions?
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What suggestions do you have for improving our safety meetings or training sessions?
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Why this works
Solicits feedback on safety communication and education to make them more effective and engaging.
17Have you noticed any changes in your work environment that affect safety?
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Have you noticed any changes in your work environment that affect safety?
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Why this works
Identifies new hazards that may have emerged from process changes, new equipment, or other modifications.
18Do you feel that safety is a priority for management and leadership?
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Do you feel that safety is a priority for management and leadership?
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Why this works
Assesses employee perception of management's commitment to safety, which strongly influences safety culture.
19What safety resources or support do you need that you don't currently have?
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What safety resources or support do you need that you don't currently have?
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Why this works
Identifies gaps in safety resources and shows employees that management is willing to invest in their protection.
20Is there anything else about workplace safety that you'd like to discuss or bring to our attention?
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Is there anything else about workplace safety that you'd like to discuss or bring to our attention?
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Why this works
Provides an open-ended opportunity for employees to raise any safety concerns not covered by other questions.
Best Practices for Employee Safety Conversations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Create a Safe Space
Ensure employees feel comfortable speaking honestly without fear of retaliation or negative consequences.
Listen Actively
Pay close attention to employee concerns and take them seriously, showing that their safety matters.
Take Action
Follow up on safety concerns promptly and communicate what actions are being taken to address issues.
Question Sequences
The Hazard Assessment
The Culture Check
Common Pitfalls
Don't Dismiss Concerns
Take all safety concerns seriously, even if they seem minor. Small issues can become major accidents.
Don't Blame Employees
Focus on systemic solutions rather than blaming individuals for safety issues or near-misses.
Don't Make Empty Promises
Only commit to actions you can deliver on, and follow through promptly on any commitments you make.