From Policy to Practice: Building a Safety Culture That Actually Works
In sensitive industries like manufacturing, mining, and energy, safety isn’t optional: It’s foundational. From working at heights to managing hazardous materials, the stakes are high for employees and brand reputation. While most companies have protocols and inspections in place, incidents and near-misses still occur. The question is: Are your safety efforts actually creating a culture that prevents them?
The Cost of an Incident / The Value of Investment
Studies have contrasted the cost of repercussions against the investment in prevention.
The cost of a single lost-time injury?
$117,000 to $234,000 per incident - including WSIB, wages, insurance hikes, legal fees, and more (Source: Workplace Safety Insurance Board, Ontario’s Occupational Safety Group (OSG))
Organizations with a strong safety record realize substantial financial benefits: better insurance rates, lower recruitment and training costs, and improved operational productivity. And, beyond the dollar figures, their approach boosts employee morale, enhances brand prestige, and attracts top-tier talent and investors.
Studies continue to show that investing in a positive safety culture pays off, in both safety outcomes and employee engagement.
70% reduction in workplace incidents was reported by organizations with a strong safety culture. (Source: SafetyCulture survey of 500 companies)
50% drop in accident rates at Acme Industries after launching a safety program focused on individual responsibility and collective accountability.
85% of employees at a tech company reported feeling more motivated after safety became a cultural priority.
These aren’t just numbers; they prove that shifting from policy creation to culture building makes a real and measurable difference.
In short, building and sustaining a flourishing safety culture is a wise long-term investment rather than an excessive upfront cost.
From Compliance to Culture
To truly reduce risk, organizations must move from a checklist mentality to a deep-rooted safety culture. That’s where transformation begins, and where we shine. At Big Red Oak, we help businesses create that culture with a proven 10-step approach grounded in communications, leadership, and engagement.
Big Red Oak’s 10 Steps to Building a Strong Safety Culture
Form leadership and work groups – Establish clear roles and a shared vision for the organization’s safety culture.
Conduct a safety communications audit – Identify gaps like inconsistent messaging, information overload, or poor engagement.
Gain employee feedback – Use surveys, interviews, and focus groups to understand perceptions and needs.
Develop a messaging framework – Create templates and distribution plans to communicate safety values consistently.
Roll out training programs – Equip leaders and frontline teams with tools to model and reinforce core safety behaviours.
Create a multimedia content library – Develop videos, infographics, and articles to keep safety top of mind.
Clarify responsibilities and actions – Use checklists and response tracking to show accountability and responsiveness.
Celebrate wins and milestones – Recognize progress through newsletters, awards, and employee spotlights.
Maintain regular content cadence – Address seasonal issues, protocol updates, and ongoing education needs.
Measure, adapt, and improve – Track program impact, evolve with organizational needs, and keep content relevant.
Could your safety program need a lift? Big Red Oak worked with Bruce Power to develop a winning culture that unites the company in the common purpose of health and wellbeing. By keeping its people informed and attentive, Bruce Power lives up to its Number One value of ‘Safety First,’ recently honoured by Canadian Occupational Safety’s 2025 5-Star Safety Cultures Award.
Want to build a safety culture that goes beyond compliance?
Let’s talk. Book your free consultation today and take the first step toward a safer, more engaged workforce.