speech on safety culture

Inspirational Safety Speeches for Graduations, Projects, and More

Safety is an essential aspect of our daily lives, whether at work, at school, or in our homes. It’s a critical topic that deserves our attention and focus, no matter the occasion. That’s why I’m excited to present this article containing various safety speeches for different occasions.

Inside these speeches, you’ll find important reminders of the role safety plays in our lives and how to prioritize it in different settings. From graduation ceremonies to project launches, these speeches are meant to inspire and motivate individuals and teams to make safety a top priority.

Each speech is unique, yet they all share a common thread: the importance of safety in our daily lives. Whether you’re a student, a worker, a manager, or a leader, these speeches will provide you with valuable insights and practical advice on how to prioritize safety and create a safe and healthy environment.

I hope these speeches will inspire you to make safety a priority in your life and encourage you to share them with others. Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility, and by working together, we can create a safer, healthier, and more productive world.

Safety Speech Open Air Opening Ceremony

Safety speech prior to starting a project, safety speech for graduation ceremony, bonus parts you can include in your safety speech.

Good day everyone,

As we gather here today for our outdoor event on the graded ground in this hot weather, I want to remind everyone of the importance of safety precautions. It’s essential to ensure that everyone has a pleasant and enjoyable experience without compromising their safety.

• First and foremost, make sure to stay hydrated. The heat and sun can take a toll on your body, so it’s crucial to drink plenty of water or other hydrating fluids regularly. We have arranged for water stations throughout the venue, and we encourage you to make use of them frequently.
• Secondly, Despite our event is planned to not to take long, we have prepared some chairs in the corner for those of you who might feel exhausted or tired and prefers to sit.
• Thirdly, we ask that you be mindful of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for potential hazards on the ground, such as loose rocks, potholes, or uneven terrain. If you see anything that could cause harm, please inform the event staff immediately.
• Fourthly, we have Ms. ***, our Nurse is here to provide first aid services for out esteemed guests.
• Finally, please follow all safety guidelines and regulations. We have put in place measures to ensure everyone’s safety, including crowd control, emergency procedures, and security measures. Please cooperate with our staff and follow their instructions at all times.

At the end, we want everyone to have a great time while staying safe at our event. Let’s all do our part to make this event enjoyable and memorable for everyone. Thank you.

Dear Project Team,

Congratulations on the start of our new project! As we embark on this exciting journey, I want to remind you of the importance of safety.

Safety should be a top priority for everyone involved in this project. Whether you’re working in an office or a construction site, it’s crucial to take safety seriously and make it a part of your daily routine.

Always assess potential hazards in your work environment and take appropriate measures to minimize risks. This may include wearing safety equipment, following established safety procedures, and staying alert to potential dangers.

In addition, make sure that everyone on the project team is aware of the safety protocols and procedures that are in place. Encourage open communication and a culture of safety so that everyone feels comfortable reporting any safety concerns or incidents.

Remember that safety is not just about avoiding accidents or injuries. It’s also about creating a safe and healthy work environment for everyone involved. By prioritizing safety, you’re not only protecting yourself and your colleagues, but you’re also contributing to the success of the project.

As you start this new project, I encourage you to take safety seriously and make it a priority in all your work. By doing so, you’re setting a strong foundation for success and creating a positive and productive work environment for everyone involved.

Good luck with your project, and stay safe!

Dear Graduates,

Congratulations on your achievement! As you prepare to enter the next phase of your life, I want to take a moment to remind you of the importance of safety.

Safety is a crucial aspect of our daily lives, and it should be taken seriously. Whether you’re entering the workforce, starting a new academic program, or traveling to new places, it’s essential to keep safety in mind at all times.

As you move forward, I urge you to prioritize your safety and the safety of those around you. Take the time to assess potential hazards in your environment, and always be aware of your surroundings. Whether it’s a busy city street, a construction site, or a natural disaster, it’s important to know how to keep yourself safe.

Remember to take proper precautions, such as wearing safety equipment, following established procedures, and seeking help when necessary. Never be afraid to speak up if you feel unsafe, and always listen to the advice of those who have more experience.

In the modern world, safety can sometimes be taken for granted, but it should never be underestimated. Your safety is essential to your success, your well-being, and your future.

So, as you celebrate your graduation and look forward to your next adventure, I encourage you to stay vigilant, stay safe, and remember that safety always comes first. Congratulations again, and best of luck in all your future endeavors.

• Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. The ground is graded, and the weather is hot, so we advise wearing comfortable and breathable clothing that covers your skin and protects you from the sun. Additionally, it’s best to wear closed-toe shoes that offer adequate support and grip.

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Core Attributes of a World-Class Safety Culture

A successful safety culture isn’t compartmentalized and separate from other areas of the company. It permeates all aspects of the company. 

“Safety cultures endure when they are part of an overall successful organizational culture.”  – David Paoletta, MS, CSP

It should be more of a concern, then, when safety culture is seen as one arm of the safety program instead of its head. You can’t put safety first if your culture is reduced to tasks, meetings, or gift cards.

In this article, we examine the core attributes of world-class safety cultures to help you take a fresh approach toward establishing a safety program that gets results.

Want to download this article and read it later?  Get the PDF straight to your device.

What is Safety Culture?

Safety culture is the set of shared attitudes, beliefs, and practices demonstrated by workers at all levels of the company.

A positive safety culture connects everyone in the company around a common goal to measurably reduce near misses and incidents. It goes beyond following safety procedures and rules. Great cultures elicit safety buy-in from employees.

Behavioral psychologist and expert in behavior-based safety E. Scott Geller defines a total safety culture (TSC) as one where “everyone feels responsible for safety and pursues it on a daily basis.” 

Anne Richter and Christian Koch have also explained safety culture in terms of shared experiences. They define it as having “shared and learned meanings, experiences, and interpretations of work and safety expressed partially symbolically, which guide people’s actions toward risk, accidents, and prevention.”

In a strong safety culture, everyone, from management on down, buys into what needs to be done to keep everyone safe and take the steps to get it done. Common attributes include:

• Shared values
• Contribution and engagement from all levels
• Transparency 
• Continual education
• Proactive rather than reactive solutions

The safety committee is an excellent way to make top-down and tradesmen involvement official — but it doesn’t have to end there. 

“Establishing and maintaining a positive safety culture takes work, investment and time, it doesn’t just happen,” says Paoletta. “It takes involving the entire organization and listening to and valuing each individual’s contribution; [that’s when] safety becomes personal and cultural change happens.”

Safety Culture as an Investment

Safety should be a pillar of a company’s values rather than an afterthought. New business owners should invest the same time, energy, and money into safety as they do in finding the right location, hiring the best workers, and gathering the necessary assets. Already established companies should reevaluate its current safety and take the required steps, no matter how expensive or arduous, to make sure safety is a top priority if it isn’t already. 

“Safety culture not only drives health and safety but it drives the organization as a whole,” explains John White, CSP. “An organization that values safety as paramount bears fruit in all other areas.”

Ensures Your Longevity

A robust safety culture not only drives health and safety decisions within the company but should also permeate all other areas of the company. An organization that places a high value on safety will see fruit in all other areas. 

In 1987, Alcoa’s CEO Paul O’Niell spoke to shareholders, focusing on safety rather than other company initiatives to improve dismal profit numbers. His continued focus on safety rewarded the company and its shareholders handsomely. Within one year of his inaugural speech, Alcoa’s profits hit a record high and when he retired 13 years later, market capitalization was five times higher than when he started.

Accidents, and the injuries that result from them, cost money. From workman’s comp payouts to revenue lost from workers not being able to do their job, the price of accidents in the workplace can be steep. The fewer accidents you have, the more money you add to your bottom line. 

Builds Employee Morale

When a company is built around safety, its employees notice. “A world-class safety culture improves employee morale,” says White. “When an employee feels valued and truly cared about, his or her outlook towards the organization and organizational goals is different.”

In 2017, the Queens School of Business and Gallup Organization found that disengaged workers with low morale led to 49 percent more accidents and 60 percent more errors and defects. A strong emphasis on safety engages employees and builds morale because the employees know they are cared for, listened to, and valued. 

Companies with a robust record of safety (and less accidents and injuries) are more desirable and can attract the best talent in that industry. 

Improves Consumer Confidence

And it’s not just employees and shareholders of the company that care about its safety. Consumers want to know the products they’re buying are safe and the company that they do business with is safe as well. One CEO realized this fact and started publicly publishing leading and lagging indicator metrics on the company’s website. Customers and competitors alike saw these numbers, but rather than hurting the company, it gave them more legitimacy in the marketplace and increased sales.

12 Core Attributes of a World-Class Safety Culture

Whether you’re building a safety culture from the ground up along with your company, or adding a new emphasis on safety to an already established business, the ingredients for success are the same. 

Engaged Management

A strong safety culture starts at the top with the management team. If the management team makes safety a priority and leads by example, employees are more likely to follow suit. Here are some ways that management can set the tone for safety: 

Involve all levels of management: From the CEO to line supervisors, anyone in a management or leadership role should be educated and passionate about safety and specifically their company’s safety culture. Management should walk alongside line supervisors, teaching them how to engage with employees and lead them successfully. Any management role that doesn’t spend time on the floor or out on the jobs isn’t going to get the full picture of safety. 

Continually remind all employees about safety: You can’t talk too much about safety. Start each employee meeting with safety reminders and offer frequent opportunities for employees to refresh and retrain on safety. And don’t just focus on what to do or what not to do; reinforce why safety is important. You have to change employee negative employee attitudes on safety, including the belief that fast work is better than safe work and a lack of incidents makes them invincible. 

Support safety supervisors and professionals: Every member of the management team should defend and support any safety employees in the company. If employees don’t see management supporting safety supervisors, they won’t take safety seriously either. 

Active Safety Committee

Safety training and discussions should not become just another thing that an employee has to check off their to-do list. The safety committee should accurately represent the full array of your workforce roles, primary languages, and employee types. Your safety committee should meet regularly and offer value-added activities to employees so that the employees will want to engage. Other components of a productive safety committee include: 

Variety of viewpoints: Make sure your safety committee is made up of employees from every area of your company. You’ll want to have representatives from all levels, from management down to line workers. While it would be ideal if everyone on the committee was passionate about safety, you need to have at least one or two “cheerleaders” who can keep the momentum going. 

Clear purpose and organization: Follow the standard procedures for committees and meetings, creating a mission, bylaws, procedures, and goals. Set up meetings at the same time each month and follow the same basic agenda for each meeting. Having these outlined will help your committee focus on safety and not get lost in the details of running a committee. Being highly organized does not equal boring, however; make the meetings interactive and interesting with outside speakers, opportunities for conversation, and hands-on activities. 

Follow through and accountability: All that talk is worth nothing if you don’t follow through with action. End each meeting with actionable items and someone assigned to fulfill those action items. Everyone on the committee, not just the chair, should be committed to keep everyone on track and accountable. 

Apply Behavior-Based Safety

Depending on which stats you look at, unsafe behaviors cause anywhere from 80 percent to 98 percent of all workplace accidents. By adopting a behavior-based safety culture, companies can reduce workplace accidents. Behavior-based safety is a comprehensive look at safety and focuses on the behaviors of employees. It looks closely at accidents caused by unsafe behaviors and develops ways to change those behaviors and prevent injuries.

Behavior-based safety programs designate observers, who are employees trained to conduct on-site safety reviews. These observers watch every employee, making a list of behaviors needed to complete the job and a list of unsafe behaviors they observe. This checklist is then used by supervisors to check that workers under their watch are performing their jobs correctly and safely. 

Include a system that monitors the quality of safety conversations being held and how all employees act in regards to safety. Rather than just reporting unsafe conditions, make note of what behaviors could change to improve those unsafe conditions. 

The process of creating a behavior checklist shouldn’t be a one time deal; set up a schedule to revamp the checklist every few weeks or months. 

Human and Organizational Performance

Sometimes called “New View” or Safety-II, Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) strives to use social sciences to create better systems. Managers who adhere to the HOP philosophy work to change not just their behaviors as a leader, but their beliefs toward their employees and leadership. 

Essentially, HOP calls leadership to put themselves in their employees’ shoes. If you’ve never operated heavy equipment, you won’t have the necessary knowhow to create safety rules about operating heavy equipment. HOP pushes management to become educated on every job in their company and use that education to shape a safety plan. 

Discovering these details is done through Operational Learning, where you learn directly from those doing the work. Another aspect of HOP is Learning Teams, which brings together those doing the work and those creating the safety systems together onto one team to put together a proactive or reactive safety plan. A HOP-inspired safety plan looks at systems as a whole rather than just individual workers or machines. 

These new ways to look at safety have filtered into safety management systems , which are programs companies use to promote safety and reduce risk. The systems approach of HOP is seen throughout the ANSI Z10 standard (OSH Management) and ISO 45001 standard, as well as Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety management recommendations. 

Safety Training 

A key part of your safety culture is frequent training opportunities. Make it easy for employees to attend training sessions by offering after-work or weekend classes, or even providing paid time off for training. Online safety training sessions can also be helpful for making sure employees can get the training done. 

The National Safety Council has a ton of resources available for companies including safety training modules, training packages, and on-site and online classes. Track employee completion of any training, classes, and workshops to ensure that all employees are informed of safe work practices.  

Safety training should also include teaching supervisors and management on how to lead behavior-based safety conversations with employees. Leaders should be able to effectively convey how important safe behaviors are to the overall safety of the company. They should also practice what they preach.

Leading Indicators

Instead of just relying on incidents as the only metric for safety, companies should use leading indicators to measure success and/or failure While both lagging and leading indicators can provide feedback on your safety program, leading indicators look forward and allow a company to be proactive. Leading indicators help gauge the health of the organization’s safety culture and alert management to unsafe trends. Implement leading indicators in your safety reporting to get a comprehensive look at how your company is performing when it comes to safety.  

Some leading indicators that are most helpful include:

Near-miss reporting: While often used as a lagging indicator, near-miss reporting gives you the ability to investigate and correct unsafe conditions and trends before they happen again. By studying near-miss incidents, you can see what went wrong, what prevented it from escalating to a full incident, and what you can do to prevent it in the future. 

It also helps to know the difference between a near-miss, an actual incident, and an unsafe condition. A near miss is a circumstance when no one actually gets hurt, but the potential for injury was imminent. An actual accident occurs when a worker is actually injured because of safety issues. Unsafe conditions lead to near misses and actual accidents; employers should pay close attention to them and take proactive steps to keep them from occurring in the future. 

Corrective action completion: Take action quickly once an unsafe condition or incident is reported. Investigate and correct as soon as possible so that employees, shareholders, and the public see you take safety culture seriously. 

Safety Recognition Programs

Instead of rewarding all environment, health, and safety activities, only recognize with incentives and rewards those employees that go above and beyond. Encourage and support all employees performing these basic EHS safety activities, but they should know these are expected as part of their job. You don’t have to and shouldn’t reward everyone, but you should show appreciation for everyone doing their part. 

The employee safety committee should play a key role in safety recognition program ideas, implementation, and operation. Because they are employees themselves, they’ll have a better pulse on what types of recognition is most motivating to employees. 

No matter what your recognition program looks like, never reward employees for covering up incidents. A safety recognition program should never discourage incident reporting but rather be motivating enough to encourage more incident reporting. 

Any safety recognition program should be sustainable. Many safety recognition programs have started strong but petered out, becoming routine, ineffective, and useless. Just as you evaluate safety training programs, assess your safety recognition programs to improve and keep the programs motivating. 

Continuous Improvement 

Never stop learning, growing, and improving. Each company should perform frequent audits to identify new safety hazards. Constructive cultures constantly evolve and change as needed, improving processes and behaviors based on the findings of each new safety audits . Safety experts agree that complacency kills; don’t rest easy on low incident rates and few accidents. Companies should also strive to improve their safety cultures every single day. 

Provide frequent training sessions, continuing education classes, and other ways for employees to keep growing and learning. Frequently update your company’s behavior checklists and adapt to the growing needs of your company and its employees. 

Employees Who Are Comfortable Speaking Up

Your safety culture should make employees comfortable speaking up when they see safety hazards or unsafe behaviors. Employees shouldn’t fear retaliation from management or other employees for saying something when they see something. 

Consider implementing a whistleblowing system or another anonymous way for employees to report unsafe behavior. Work to create a system of positive reinforcement rather than discipline. The fear of discipline for messing up or reporting a mess up can actually be more detrimental, as that fear could lead to hiding issues rather than bringing them out in the open. Positive reinforcement also builds trust, increases morale, and promotes employee engagement . 

Dedicated Resources 

It takes money to make money and it takes resources to make your safety plan work. Be sure that your company’s budget includes money to cover safety programs. These funds cover everything from safety committee meetings to safety training to rewards and incentives for employees. 

Consider Contractors, Customers, and Competition

A company’s safety culture should extend beyond the walls of the factory and worksite. Involve your contractors and customers in discussions about safety, gauging what safety practices would make them more likely to do business with you. 

You should also be willing to share safety best practices with competitors because a safer industry is good for everyone. The oil and gas industry saw this play out. Those companies with a flourishing record of safety were successful, while those who were unable or unwilling to develop their culture found themselves failing in the industry. 

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened a committee to study the cultures of the offshore oil and gas industry. In 2016, it published a report based on the findings. Several of the recommendations that came out of the report spoke to the importance of sharing of experiences, information, research, tools, and more related to creating a safety culture. The report encouraged more sharing of information to make the industry as a whole safer. 

Open Communication

Open communication is key to all of the ingredients of a great safety culture. If the lines of communication — whether in-person, in writing, or online — aren’t open, employees won’t have clear direction and management doesn’t receive the feedback it needs to make the culture successful.

Common Mistakes with Safety Cultures

The old saying goes that “Rome wasn’t built in a year” and the same applies when building a reputation for safety at your company. Creating an effective safety culture is a marathon, not a sprint; it takes patience, dedication, and endurance. It may take a year or more to see measurable results, but the effort is worth it. 

Not Being Flexible

To be most effective, your company should follow a well thought out plan with measurable goals and milestones to mark your progress in safety. Unfortunately, no matter how thorough your plan, you’ll run into issues along the way and will have to be flexible. You may run into roadblocks and detours and the ability to adapt on the fly will be integral to your plan’s success. “A strategic roadmap will help you and management stay on course while fighting the day-to-day fires,” says White. 

You must create an effective roadmap with milestones for how the organization plans to achieve world-class excellence. However, you must also be flexible and willing to deal with issues tactically as they come up. Make your goals highly visible to everyone in the company and celebrate wins big and small. 

Not Being Transparent

Trust is a major component of any relationship, and especially between employer and management. If management isn’t honest and upfront about the process of building a safety culture, employees will be less likely to buy in. Be open about how long the process will take, what all will be involved, and how you plan to deal with unexpected issues. 

Not Focusing on Behaviors

Your company’s culture can’t rely entirely on compliance but must also focus on behaviors. As mentioned above, behavior-based safety makes your company proactive rather than reactive. When a company uses only compliance for safety, it ignores the ways that worker behavior plays a role in causing and preventing accidents. 

“Behavior-based safety is proactive and addresses behaviors which lead to smarter and safer work practices,” observes White. “The behaviors in turn help make regulatory compliance sustainable and not just the safety professional’s battle. Compliance alone will not create a world-class safety culture.”

Not Paying Attention to Systems

As important as it is to look at behaviors, making behaviors the sole focus is a common mistake of behavior-based safety. As mentioned above, companies integrating behavior-based philosophies can’t look at just one worker or a certain piece of equipment. It must look at how each employee and all pieces of machinery work together as a system. 

Not Involving More Than One Personality

Having a face for your safety culture is important because it gives employees a rallying point and provides a personal touch. These leaders model safe behavior, connect with all employees and create a climate of teamwork, transparency, and respect. They aren’t always a member of management but exude the confidence to lead and act as a liaison between all levels. 

However, companies run into trouble when only one person or face leads the cause for safety. If that company’s safety leader retires or moves onto another company, the culture can suffer. Without that one personality cheering them on, workers can lose a sense of the shared responsibility and buy-in that made it successful. 

Measuring the Success of Your Safety Culture

One of the hallmarks of a successful safety culture is measurable goals and attainable milestones. But how do you measure success when you have a mix of subjective and objective factors? The safety committee is key to measuring goals and evaluating success, but other factors can also indicate how well a company is doing. 

Safety Surveys

Regularly survey employees to gauge their views on the actual culture of the company. The type of survey (paper, online, etc.) you use doesn’t matter as much as the data you collect. It’s helpful if your survey has a mix of different types of questions. Multiple-choice, rating, Likert scale and short answer questions are easy to answer and create helpful numerical data, while open-ended or long answer questions give more specific insight into employee behaviors and thoughts. 

In 2005, Thomas Krause created a survey tool that measures the level of safety culture perception among employees. This tool, called the “Organizational Culture Diagnostic Instrument”, takes a company’s survey data and compares it to a database of prior data from other organizations. The OCDI draws on organizational performance dimensions that have been shown to correspond to safety culture effectiveness. These four dimensions include:

• Procedural justice (fair decision making, lack of bias, correctable)
• Leader-member exchange (supervisor/worker relationships)
• Management credibility (honesty, consistency, communication and concern)
• Perceived organizational support (concern for needs and interests of employees)

The National Safety Council has numerous safety survey resources for creating your own surveys or using premade ones, as well as interpreting the results. 

Focus Groups

Another way to measure how a culture is working is through employee and management focus groups. By involving all employees, every employee can feel like they really are making a difference and that their opinions and views matter. Focus groups are an easy and cost-effective way to measure success. 

Follow Through

No matter how you measure success, if the tools you use find gaps and issues, you need to address them quickly and thoroughly. Paoletta encourages companies to take action or risk losing credibility with the workforce. 

“When these tools yield actionable data on areas that can be improved, the company should embrace the learning opportunity and set up a cross-functional, employee-centered team to discuss the current situation and suggest positive changes that will address the gaps that were shown from the survey,” he says. “Management should work with the team and support changes to show organizational support for safety improvements. Over time, this cooperative approach to assessing current practices and being open to changing and improving them becomes part of a positive safety culture that is sustainable over the long term, regardless of who the safety manager or management leader is.”

The Bottom Line

Safety culture goes beyond promoting safety first to your employees. A world-class safety culture requires adopting a complete safety infrastructure for your business. 

To improve your company culture, research behavior-based safety, HOP philosophies, and safety management systems and standards. Do an audit of your company’s current safety systems, looking for what needs to be fixed and thinking proactively about what could go wrong. From there, you can create a plan that’s specifically tailored to your company, assign roles and responsibilities, and work toward achieving your safety goals. 

Building a safety culture from scratch or modifying a current culture to be more successful takes time, dedication, and patience. Everyone in the company — from the highest-paid member of management to every employee working on the floor — must buy into what you’re selling. All employees must be well-trained and the lines of communication open.

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Speech Tips for EHS Professionals

Whether you’re putting together a safety orientation for new employees or getting employees to comply with safety procedures , there are some moments that demand a rousing safety speech.

The trick? Writing a speech that sticks.

For those figuring out how to ensure employees’ safety, speech structuring is everything. Here are a few essential tips to write a memorable safety speech.

Explain Why Safety Matters

A great safety speech is more than just telling employees how to improve. It’s about motivating them with a unique opportunity to come together for the common good. Or at least, that’s how it worked for Paul O’Neill’s inaugural speech as CEO of Alcoa in October 1987, now regarded as one of the greatest safety speeches of the 20th century .

O’Neill began with a simple sentence, “I want to talk to you about worker safety.” In an instant, he had the entire room’s attention. Then, he began to lay out his message, “Every year, numerous Alcoa workers are injured so badly that they miss a day of work. Our safety record is better than the general workforce, especially considering that our employees work with metals that are 1500 degrees and we have machines that can rip a man’s arm off. But it’s not good enough. I intend to make Alcoa the safest company in America. I intend to go for zero injuries.”

In this speech, O’Neill did more than just cite safety numbers or point to an opportunity for improvement. He created a sense of urgency and made safety his central goal.

Most importantly, he explained why safety mattered. It was not enough that Alcoa had a decent safety record for its industry. O’Neill made it Alcoa’s responsibility to be the safest company in America. And while your speech doesn’t need to be the clarion call to launch an era, it should achieve a similar aim: motivating employees to see why safety matters.

Tell a Story

A good way to do this is by telling a story.

Remember, people relate to each other through stories. It’s how we connect as a species. So if you trot out safety statistics and regulations, your employees just won’t care. They can’t relate to laws or numbers.

However, they can relate to a story about a colleague following safe work procedures to make sure they go home to their kids safely every single day. Take the time to find these stories and share them (with the permission of your employees, of course!)

Figuring Out How to Ensure Employees’ Safety? Speech Isn’t Enough

When the time comes to inspire people to action, a speech is a great way to kick things off. But if you’re figuring out how to ensure employees’ safety, speech won’t cut it for the long-term. You need the tools for employees to act on the message.

That’s where we come in, with safety software that makes it easy for every employee to contribute to safety. Get in touch today to learn how our software can empower your whole team.

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8 STEPS TO WRITING THE WORKPLACE SAFETY SPEECH

Writing an engaging safety speech can be a challenge.

This 10 page guide has been specifically written for CEO's, executives, safety and communication professionals who need to write or deliver a safety speech to their workforce.  

How to structure your safety speech

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Get access to both a report and a cheat's checklist to help you write your best safety speech ever!

Download now to improve your safety results.

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Eight Steps to Writing the Workplace Safety Speech

November 12, 2013 by Admin Leave a Comment

Writing an engaging Safety Speech can be Tricky.  This New Report reveals the Key Steps behind writing a convincing Workplace Safety Speech. 

Melbourne, Australia (11 April, 2012) – Digicast Productions, a safety and induction training video production house, today released a new white paper “Eight Steps to writing the Workplace Safety Speech”.

Effective communication is vital to get staff and contractors aligned and working towards a positive safety culture.  Yet, trying to engage your workforce about a new safety initiative through a safety speech is not easy.  How we communicate about safety influences whether or not people will accept or reject our safety messages.

The main objective of any safety speech is to motivate staff to take safety seriously and to change behaviour.  But how do you encourage behaviour change in a workplace speech?

Written for CEO’s, senior executives, safety professionals and communication professionals, find out how in this exclusive white paper, which looks at:

• The secret to developing an emotional connection to your audience
• How to communicate to the left brain, right brain and whole brain
• 3 steps to structuring your safety speech

For a complete copy of the whitepaper, that also includes a free Safety Speech checklist, visit http://info.digicast.com.au/safety-speech/

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Safety Storytelling: Using Powerful Moments to Make Change

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Getting employees to buy in to safety efforts can be a challenge for employers, no matter what industry they’re in. Some get too comfortable in their role. Others find training repetitive or boring. Many know the safety rules and guidelines of their workplace. They just aren’t held accountable in following them.   Safety storytelling can make the difference to employees who think they’ve heard it all before. 

On this episode of the WorkSAFE Podcast, we welcome Patrick Nelson , founder of Loyalty Point Leadership . He is a speaker, trainer and Fortune 500 consultant in safety leadership development. Approaching safety differently can result in different outcomes.  Nelson uses his tragic experience of loss while serving in the Army to help humanize safety leadership.  

First, we’ll talk about how Nelson humanizes safety stories through his own experience. Then, we’ll discuss why storytelling is such a powerful tool. Finally, we’ll share how employers can put safety storytelling to use.

Listen to this WorkSAFE Podcast interview, or read the show notes below.

Humanizing the safety experience  

Unlike the average safety professional, Nelson’s experience isn’t built on certifications and regulations. His specialty is working with leaders. In 2018, he witnessed a CEO deliver a passionate speech to his employees. It changed his perspective on connecting employees and leadership to safety efforts.  

Safety storytelling: Creating the Safety Stump Speech ®

At the time, Nelson was working with a Fortune 500 oil and gas company. They were struggling with serious workplace incidents. The prior year had not been a positive one. Together with company leaders, Nelson put together a safety workshop. Rather than stick to the regular safety narrative, the CEO told an emotional, powerful personal story. This led to more than anyone had expected: relevant conversations, practical safety tips and exercises that got employees out of their seats.  

From that experience, Nelson created a new kind of training workshop. Each one is built on two key principles: servant leadership and forward-looking accountability. He also developed the concept of a Safety Stump Speech ® . Leaders share short, powerful stories with employees on why safety matters to them. Nelson leans on psychological elements; what makes everyone human.

Leading by example

Sharing the message of safety effectively as a leader isn’t just about knowledge. Leaders lead by example. Nelson learned this in a way that he’s never been able to forget. During his time in the Army, a soldier under his command was killed when shrapnel hit him in the head during an attack. Nelson suffered minor wounds. But the scars aren’t the most painful part of the memory.

“Right before this happened, I had almost told him to put on his helmet,” he shared. He’d noticed the soldier wasn’t wearing one. “But I realized I didn’t have mine on.” He didn’t want to criticize someone else for not doing something he himself wasn’t doing.  The cost of not speaking up when there’s an obvious hazard can be high. And while the helmet still might not have saved his soldier’s life, it’s not knowing for sure that’s the hardest to deal with. 

“When I think of what makes somebody a good leader, it is exactly what makes somebody a good safety leader as well,” he commented. “You know, they’re accountable. They’re credible. They can communicate well.”  

The power of safety storytelling

Every safety story is important. But not all of them are powerful. In telling long, drawn-out stories, sometimes the core message can be lost. This is especially true when employees have been through hours of training or aren’t very receptive.  

Nelson brings the concept of Safety Stump Speech ® to his clients with this in mind. “Some of the most powerful sum speeches I heard in these organizations were like 45 seconds to a minute and a half long,” he explained. “They’re very brief. But they’re also personal and powerful.” What is it that makes these short safety moments different?  

They humanize us in the eyes of others  

Stories help us to connect with one another. And those connections can make all the difference in risky moments. “The more that you know somebody, the more likely you are to watch out for them, to have their back and to make sure they’re safe,” Nelson shared. “What that tells me is that there is value in taking time in building connections with others at work.” One of the best ways to do that is by sharing these personal experiences.  

Months down the road, employees won’t remember every single word of every story. But they will remember how their teammates made them feel.  

They go against expectations  

Safety training often comes with certain expectations. Hours spend in a break room or conference hall, watching presentations from professionals who may – or may not be – in the same industry. Nelson certainly encountered this. At his Fortune 500 oil and gas company, employees were nicknamed ‘roughnecks’. Safety training was just another requirement to them. They showed up because they had to.

At the beginning of every training, after sharing his own story, Nelson flips expectations. Each employee will share their own Safety Stump Speech ® . Most hesitate. They weren’t expecting to have to share their own experience. But by the end, many employees want to share.  They want to be seen and heard by others. They want to talk about the lessons they’ve learned. “That’s the the kind of stuff that’s gonna move the needle on safety. It’s not gonna be ‘hey, here’s a hot new piece of PPE to wear, here’s a new OSHA regulation.” 

They open the door to new opportunities

Safety Stump Speeches ® peel back the barriers and hesitations that make exist between employees and important workplace safety conversations. However, Nelson highlights that employers need to make the most of the environment they create.

“You can bring somebody in that’s going to tell you a great story,” he explained. “They might make you laugh, make you cry, but it’s kind of like a sunburn that wears off after a few days.” Safety stories open doors to allow in fresh ideas and connection, which can make further investment of time and money even more of a worthy cause for a company.

Using safety storytelling to fuel change

When it comes to safety, no one is perfect. Everyone has made a mistake before. They’ve taken a shortcut, skipped out on wearing safety gloves or glasses, or let their mind wander on the job. But more importantly, they’ve seen other people make these same mistakes – over and over again. Without courage and the personal connection to others, they won’t speak up. As a result, unsafe behaviors go unchecked.

Even a single storytelling session can benefit employees.  But to create lasting impact, employers need to prepare to nurture safety culture over time. “T here’s power and value in prioritizing time together with people, and building those deeper relationships,” Nelson added. This means investing in others by listening to what they have to say and learning from one another.

“You can prevent people from getting hurt. You can save their life,” he reminds employers. “But you have to be able to speak up and you have to take action.”

For free safety posters, sample policies, and safety toolkits, visit our  Resource Library . Then, check out this  WorkSAFE Podcast episode on using empathy and awareness to build a better workplace.

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Top 20+ Safety Quotes To Improve Your Safety Culture

Industry Trends | By SafetyCulture Team | 17 Dec 2021 | 4 minute read

Since the pandemic started, getting the right Health and Safety communications in place has been a scramble for workplaces across all industries. Every business needs to gather information quickly, pivot their processes effectively, and distribute critical yet clear communications at a moment’s notice.

You probably asked yourself questions such as:

• Have we used the right messaging to our teams?
• Have we put up adequate signage for employees?
• Are we doing all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Safety quotes are a great way to communicate key safety concepts clearly and make sure your team is always on the lookout for potential safety issues at the same time.

Illustrate your safety quotes and bring them to life. Display them around your workplace, or add them to internal newsletters. Make an impact and get your point across, whether it’s to motivate, inspire or to keep the workplace safe. Your workplace will be better off for it.

Without further ado, here’s 20 workplace safety quotes and inspirational safety messages that we’ve put together:

• “The greatest responsibility of a leader is to give the people in your span of care grounded sense of hope for the future” – Bob Chapman, Made Extraordinary Summit
• “Safety has to be everyone’s responsibility… everyone needs to know that they are empowered to speak up if there’s an issue.” – Captain Scott Kelly. (Check out Made Extraordinary Summit 2021 )
• “If you don’t know, ask. Working with people is far better than working against them — always bring together all the people and information available to you!” – Aidan O’Shannessy, The Block Site Manager
• “No Safety, Know Pain. Know Safety, No Pain.” – Author unknown
• “Paper doesn’t save people, people save people” – Dan Petersen, Safety Professional
• “Safety doesn’t happen by accident.” – Author unknown
• “When safety is first, you last.” – Author unknown
• “Check yourself before you wreck yourself.” – Author unknown
• “Accidents hurt, safety doesn’t.” – Author unknown
• “Every accident is a notice that something is wrong with men, methods, or material — investigate — then act.” – Unknown
• “One earnest worker can do more by personal suggestion to prevent accidents than a carload of safety signs.” – Making Paper
• “Safety saves sickness, suffering, sadness.” – Safety saying, circa early 1900s
• “Never stop investing … never stop learning” – Captain Sully, at the SafetyCulture Virtual Summit. (Check out Made Extraordinary Summit 2021 )
• “Safety brings first aid to the uninjured.” – F.S. Hughes
• “You don’t need to know the whole alphabet of Safety. The a, b, c of it will save you if you follow it: Always Be Careful.” – Colorado School of Mines Magazine
• “Do not think because an accident hasn’t happened to you that it can’t happen.” – Safety saying, circa early 1900s
• “Carefulness costs you nothing. Carelessness may cost you your life.” – Safety saying, circa early 1900s
• “For safety is not a gadget but a state of mind.” – Eleanor Everet
• “An incident is just the tip of the iceberg, a sign of a much larger problem below the surface.” – Don Brown
• “Prepare and prevent, don’t repair and repent.” – Author unknown
• “Measuring performance by the numbers of injuries you have is like measuring parenting by the number of smacks you give.” – Dr. Robert Long
• “If you put good people in bad systems, you get bad results. You have to water the flowers you want to grow.” – Stephen Covey
• “A chain is only as long as the weakest link.” – Unknown
• “Shortcuts cut life short.” – Unknown
• “You are your last line of defense in safety. It boils down to you.” – Kina Repp
• “Luck runs out but safety is good for life.” – Author unknown
• “Working safely may get old, but so do those who practice it.” – Author unknown
• “Safety isn’t expensive, it’s priceless.” – Author unknown
• “It takes leadership to improve safety.” – Jackie Stewart
• “I’m glad to see how young people are stepping up when it comes to safety. They are focused on safety rather than being told to be safe. It makes a difference when people own things.” – Scott Cam, The Block
• “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” – Benjamin Franklin
• “Safety is not an intellectual exercise to keep us in work. It is a matter of life and death. It is the sum of our contributions to safety management that determines whether the people we work with live or die.” – Sir Brian Appleton, Technical Adviser to the Enquiry on Piper Alpha Accident
• “The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself, but the inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences” – Proverbs 22:3 (New World Translation)
• “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” – Proverbs 11:14 (King James Version)
• “Invest in data protection . You need it nowadays.” –  Author unknown
• “Your values will be your compass and guide you in the right direction.” – Allison Dunn, Deliberate Directions
• “You need to know pro and cons of ehr implementation to make safe your patient and practices information. ” – Author unknown
• “Always invest into the training of your team, as their safety is the most important aspect of keeping your crew running.” –  a1autotransport.com
• “When disaster recovery  is prioritized, resilience prevails.”  – Author Unknown

Good safety quotes can pick us up when we’re feeling unmotivated and can be a great tool to help keep your employees focused on safety . With government guidelines constantly evolving, and pandemic fatigue settling in, internal and external communications have become more important than ever. We need to be extra careful when speaking to teams and to customers, and ensure the messaging is clear, reliable and motivating. Whether you’re a leader or a team member, the easiest way to keep your team safe is to make it everybody’s business.

Empower your teams to make safety a priority. Also make sure you keep track of your team’s time spent with a time card app , so not only can you stay safe but your processes can be accurate. Help your team do their best work, the safest way possible. SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor ) is a digital platform that dedicates itself to improving safety, quality, and collaboration across the organization.

See how SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor ) is being used by multiple industries across the globe.

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Important Notice The information contained in this article is general in nature and you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your specific needs. Legal and other matters referred to in this article are based on our interpretation of laws existing at the time and should not be relied on in place of professional advice. We are not responsible for the content of any site owned by a third party that may be linked to this article. SafetyCulture disclaims all liability (except for any liability which by law cannot be excluded) for any error, inaccuracy, or omission from the information contained in this article, any site linked to this article, and any loss or damage suffered by any person directly or indirectly through relying on this information.

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Lead With a Powerful Safety Message

An effective and compelling safety culture speech can convince your employees to commit to making safety a priority at your company.

The more comfortable we get in a job, the easier it is to start to let complacency slip into your routine. Taking safety for granted is a common mistake – and, if we’re being honest, an understandable one. It’s quicker to take a shortcut, and that can be tempting.

Although OSHA doesn’t require “safety speeches,” it’s a great way to provide workers updates on company safety awareness efforts, program changes, and the overall importance of injury prevention. These motivational safety speeches not only help to keep you compliant, but serve as an important reminder about the importance of employees staying safe on the job and to reinforce the company’s overall commitment to safety.

Things To Consider Before Giving Your Safety Speech

Ideally, these safety speeches should come directly from upper level management, including owners, presidents, CEO, etc.  The higher the position, the more effective it is.

It’s also important that these safety talks be delivered on a consistent basis.  Doing so once, or even a few times per year, isn’t very effective in helping to build a culture of safety for the company.

And never forget that speeches are no substitute for understanding OSHA compliance , building and managing safety programs,  and consistently developing and delivering customized health and safety training to your employees.

Also never forget the importance of consistently leading by example when it comes to safety.  That means company leadership always wearing PPE in the production area, holding employees accountable when they fail to follow safety protocols (but do so with an educational approach), and better yet, creating and signing a formal company safety policy.  After all, what good are safety speeches delivered by leadership who don’t “walk the walk?”

How do you start a safety speech? What is a good safety message?

We understand that this task can seem daunting, so to save you some time, we’ve provided you with a quick outline of helpful topic ideas, writing reminders, and more.

Safety Speech Outline

Safety speech topics will vary slightly depending on your audience and industry. Regardless of what those specifics are, it’s best to start off by giving a simple outline of what you plan to say and why your information is important.  Always remember to remind your staff that safety and the well being of your employees is the #1 company priority.

In the body of your speech, take the time to reinforce your commitment to safety from a leadership perspective. If corporate takes the initiative seriously, so will middle managers, followed by everyone down to hourly workers turning the wrenches.

Similarly, remember that people can really benefit from a pat on the back every now and then. As much as this talk is designed to elevate your company’s safety culture, in some ways, it also needs to serve as a safety recognition speech. Give appreciation for what your employees are already doing well. If you have standout employees that go out of their way to make safety a priority, give them a shoutout!

Starting off on a positive note before diving into worst-case scenarios can make your audience more receptive to the rest of your message.

Use analogies and real-life horror stories to paint a picture for your employees of just why safety is a priority, and remind them of the resources your company has in terms of reporting and dealing with safety concerns.

Close strong by specifically identifying the changes you’d like to see. Give your staff insight into how you will measure any new safety initiatives, and what you’re expecting out of each individual.

Simply starting a dialogue with your employees can help to identify safety hazards in your workplace, promote safe procedures and increase awareness. After you begin the conversation, keep after it – the more you can remind people of your company’s safety priorities, the better.

At the end of the day, we all want to feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves, and if you can turn company safety into a benefit for not only the corporation, but the community, your job is halfway done for you.

However, if you feel like you need a guide, download this safety speech PDF on OSHA’s website.

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Safety Culture – It's About the People

A common goal of most companies is to improve the safety culture within the organization. While this sounds fairly straightforward, the path to success often is riddled with misunderstanding and met with great difficulty.

Many companies tend to ignore a weak safety culture for years for a variety of reasons, and then decide some action needs to be taken as a result of an unplanned or unexpected event. Often, some attempt is made to improve the culture by arbitrarily directing funds and resources into training, staff and equipment. By doing this, companies expect a reduction in the frequency and severity of incidents and an overall increase in commitment from their employees. Long-term, this typically leads to disappointment and falling short of the goal.

To effectively improve the culture over the long-term, begin with an evaluation of where you are on the cultural thermometer, followed by a plan of action. The purpose of the plan is to identify what motivates your team, as well as which activities build trust, commitment and communication. We will take a high level look at what is required to do so, as well as illustrate how effective communication and feedback – combined with a focus on the people – can help achieve optimum results.

Evaluating the Challenge

Determining your cultural position requires a creative approach. Some organizations use validated perception surveys on the front end to receive feedback directly from the employee.  Keep in mind that anonymity and confidentiality must be ensured and are keys to receiving accurate information and building trust. (Erickson, 2013)

Although somewhat antiquated, a simple suggestion box may be used. This helps with those employees who want a voice but who may not feel comfortable speaking up. The information collected will be valuable as you build your plan and form or reinforce the culture of your organization. With this approach, management must communicate the feedback and then act on the findings in a proactive and positive way. Remember that the key word associated with culture is "caring," and it's required from both employees and management.  

Creating & Measuring Your Plan

Creating an effective plan is as important as having the desire to improve. A haphazard approach is similar to running through the woods at night. Sooner or later, the team will encounter an unplanned obstacle that has the potential to significantly derail progress. The best way to avoid this is to start at the top and systematically plan out the initiatives and how they will be steered throughout the organization.  

Determining what motivates your people will assist you in implementing your new initiatives. It leads to discovering why employees continue certain behaviors. Consider these questions:

• Are at-risk behaviors driven by the fear of reprisal due to time demands?
• Do employees focus on quality because they take great pride in their work?
• Do employees work safely because they want the accolades others receive?
• Is safety important to them because they witnessed a tragedy to a friend or family member?

Similarly, consider the motivations of front line supervisors:  

• Is management driving supervisors to encourage employees to not follow procedure?
• Are employees interpreting the request for production as a call for productivity at any cost?
• Is upper management clear on what its role is?
• Are you aware that monetary rewards that pay based on employees not getting injured damage reporting?

The plan components now will be focused on the items that were indicated as problematic, as well as other items found by questioning your own internal processes. It still might include manpower, training, equipment improvement and auditing, but now it's done with a specific purpose and goal in mind.  

Once the team gets to a point where they believe progress is being made, the next step is to measure progression. The simplest method is to conduct a second perception survey and compare the results against the first.

More important than that is the direct feedback of the employees, which serves as a key indicator. Leaders should take time out of their schedules each week to have face time with the employees. These conversations are important; ask about the work of the employees, participate in the process of job safety analyses and root cause analyses, attend safety committee meetings and participate in the audit and resolution process. While this is not a scientifically validated method, it serves as a good litmus test to identify what the status of morale and engagement is.  

Building Trust & Commitment

As the team navigates through the plan roadmap, an emphasis should be placed on building trust. This is everyone's responsibility as it fosters ownership of the process and vision. Employees must feel that they can be open and honest about their concerns related to safety, morale and program progression. They need to be free to ask questions about expectations without the fear of retaliation.

Employers have an obligation to listen and respond in a consistent manner. Employers must be proactive, inventive, inclusive and thought-provoking when it comes to their planned initiatives. Trust and sustainability only can occur when each side understands the thoughts and expectations of the other.

When employees feel respected, informed and included in the decision-making process, they more likely will continue participating, start communicating and feel better about the organization for which they work. During the process of culture building, the goal essentially is to eliminate the "us versus them" mentality, regardless of the differences in pay scales and job responsibilities.

Roles and responsibilities aside, we as a collective workforce spend more time with each other than we do engaging in our hobbies and spending time with our families. We owe it to ourselves and each other, as well as our families, to work together to improve the culture in our workplace.

Scott Falkowitz and Grace Herrera are process improvement leaders at Predictive Solutions Corp. They can be reached at [email protected] and [email protected] .

References Erickson, J. (2013, May 31). Perception Surveys: Their Importance and Role in Safety Performance . Retrieved April 28, 2015.

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Safety Moment Ideas: 24 Topics to Enhance Safety Culture

To supplement safety training and keep employees engaged, plan safety moments on a range of topics. Here are 24 ideas to get you started building a strong culture of safety.

What Is a Safety Moment?

• How and When to Integrate Safety Talks
• 24 Safety Moment Ideas for 2024

“People have a sense of ownership when they're involved... Training is just the tip of the iceberg.” Adam Corn Director of Safety & Security and Training & Development, GoFundMe

Training is one of the key elements of effective safety leadership  and a safe workplace. You need to establish a pattern of consistent communication, educating your company’s employees on the safety risks they face in the workplace and the best strategies to protect themselves.

Sometimes, this is easier said than done. Even the most engaged employees struggle to give safety meetings and training sessions their full attention. Research has found that most presentations lose the audience’s attention within the first 10 minutes.

You need a way to integrate education into your organization’s daily activities without risking information overload. Enter the safety moment. Concise, direct, and easily digested, it’s an ideal way to share and reinforce critical safety information.

Pro tip: A safety meeting agenda can aid in structuring effective and engaging meetings.

In this article, we’ll outline what safety moments are, how you can maximize them, and a variety of safety moment ideas to help keep safety first.

Preview of a spreadsheet full of safety meeting topics with talking points

Safety Meeting Toolkit

A safety moment is a brief talk about a specific, safety-oriented topic at the beginning of a meeting. Safety moments for work are usually between five and 10 minutes long and may also be called “safety minutes,” “safety chats,” or “safety shares.”

Teams can approach these conversations in different ways to maximize the impact. But there are a few common aspects of most companies’ safety moments:

• Keep them short, usually lasting approximately five minutes and never more than 10
• Focus on a single topic rather than jumping around or overloading participants with information
• Orient the safety moment toward your team’s upcoming day or week, not long-term planning
• Use safety moments to support a positive safety culture through clear, concise, and engaging communication

Safety moments vs. toolbox talks

You might have heard the term “toolbox talks” and wonder how they compare to safety moments. The tradition of toolbox talks may have begun on construction sites or similar job sites where there is a need to regularly brush up on equipment safety procedures. This term is used in diverse workplaces today, just as safety moments are used to establish regular informal discussions of actionable safety information.

In any case, the meaning of each of these terms is rooted in how teams use them—rather than strict definitions—and there is bound to be a wide variety of approaches to supporting safety outcomes for unique industries, organizations, and leadership teams.

Along with “safety moments” and “toolbox talks,” other common names include “safety minutes,” “ safety talks ,” and “tailgate meetings.” To choose an effective name, consider the tone and goals you’re aiming for—and the setting for your talks. What resonates for a roofing company may not resonate for an accounting firm.

Watch this video to learn the fundamentals of compelling safety talks, discover new topic ideas, and get facilitation tips.

Why are safety moments important?

Safety moments are a valuable tool to deliver or reinforce critical information, such as safety protocols and standards, occupational safety concerns, and any other workplace safety messages that will lead to better outcomes.

Topics can cover routine safety issues but are also a great way to highlight timely hazards. Say, for example, your team is operating heavy machinery they haven’t worked with in a few months. At the start of the day, a quick safety moment covering the risks and precautions can help ensure everyone is aware and prepared.

Safety shares are also a great way to encourage safety engagement . Routine safety training can sometimes feel abstract and easy to tune out. However, since safety moments cover topics that are immediately relevant, employees are more likely to give their full attention and participation to the safety message of the day.

How and When to Integrate Safety Moments

The ideal frequency and format for safety moments vary by setting and industry. Companies with workers based mostly in offices will usually hold safety moments in conference or break rooms. And given the less hazardous environment, weekly safety moments may be sufficient. They can also be a great complement to your monthly safety topics .

Conversely, higher-risk workplaces like warehouses or construction sites might hold daily moments to reinforce salient points and help prepare workers for what they’re doing that day.

24 Safety Moment Ideas for 2024 and Beyond

To determine the most productive safety meeting topics for your workplace, first, perform a business threat assessment . No two organizations—or even worksites within an organization—face the same risks. Offices, kitchens, factories, and construction sites all have unique conditions that can impact your employees’ workplace safety . When you have a clear understanding of the hazards that might impact your people, you can plan for training sessions, including safety moments to address smaller safety topics or refreshers of more in-depth training.

Here are 24 safety moment ideas to improve general safety and inspire detailed presentations about the hazards in their work environments.

Universal safety moment topics

1. situational and safety awareness.

One of the most important skills you can help your employees develop is situational awareness in the workplace . Spend a few minutes to emphasize the value of staying focused on the task at hand and being cognizant of your surroundings to reinforce your broader situational awareness training programs. You can give actionable tips for minimizing distractions or reviewing a short safety checklist before putting one’s full attention on a potentially hazardous task. You can also dedicate one or a series of safety moments reviewing warning signs and reporting procedures to help prevent workplace violence.

Pro tip:   Situational awareness also applies to mental health risks and safety measures to support total well-being.

2. Emergency exits and routes

Every workplace must have clearly marked emergency exits. While safety moments can’t replace fire drills , they serve as a good reminder of where the nearest exit is and how to safely reach it. This brief check-in would also be a good time to make sure people are aware of where evacuation routes are posted for easy reference in various locations throughout the workplace.

3. Security and access control

Whether it’s accidental or intentional, someone’s presence where they shouldn’t be creates a workplace risk. Cover the security policies for the group you’re talking to, as well as protocols for reporting a breach.

4. Fire prevention and preparedness

Workplace fire prevention is a broad topic that you can break down into several fire safety moments. For example, you can discuss how to avoid fire hazards , where fire extinguishers are and how to use them, what each employee’s role is in case of a fire, and where to meet after evacuating.

5. The importance of proper rest

What happens at home can indirectly influence workplace hazards. Employees who don’t get enough rest can fatigue more easily and make mistakes, putting themselves and their coworkers at risk of injury. You can encourage sufficient rest for health and safety reasons and review workday break schedules to ensure people are taking advantage of chances to rest and recharge while on the job.

6. Parking lot safety

At the end of a workday, it can be tempting to stare at your phone, catching up on messages while you walk to the car. However, between trucks with poor visibility, distracted drivers, and potential threats lurking in dark corners, parking lots are full of hazards to be aware of. Review any risks particular to your parking areas and tips for staying aware, avoiding known hazards, and how to contact reliable assistance if needed.

7. Two-way communication with safety leaders

A two-way communication platform that includes mass notification and employee check-in functionality is key to any safety program. But it’s effective only if your team uses it properly. Review how and when employees should expect to receive notifications, as well as how to check in and report threats.

Industrial, warehouse, and construction safety moment topics

8. personal protective equipment usage.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)—or safety gear—is part of many workers’ routines, but it’s often taken for granted. Periodic reminders about issues like properly fitting hard hats, hearing protection, and testing air filters and respirators could prevent serious injury.

9. Heat stress prevention

As OSHA prepares to release its first-ever set of heat regulations , it’s a good time to remind employees about the risks of heat exposure and heat exhaustion. Focus on prevention , early warning signs, and how workers can help keep each other safe in hot situations .

10. Forklift safety

Forklifts can be as dangerous for operators as they are for anyone in the vicinity. Discuss the safety rules for properly operating a forklift, such as speed and load limits, as well as the use of visual and audio cues to keep routes clear. One solution is to lay down brightly colored tape to designate driving lanes and no-go zones to keep pedestrians safe.

11. Heavy machinery

When someone spends long enough working with heavy machinery, the inherent danger can begin to feel routine. While experience is valuable, complacency is dangerous. Use safety briefings to remind workers of the risks and safety procedures to follow for each piece of equipment every time.

12. Hazardous materials and chemicals

Chemicals and other hazardous materials always present a risk, no matter how often your team may work with them. Review the specific safety risks and warnings of materials present in the workplace, and teach how to properly respond in the event of a spill or exposure.

13. Injury treatment and reporting

No matter how much effort you put into prevention, workplace accidents happen. In the event of an injury, workers need to know where to seek out first aid, when to go straight to the hospital, and how to comply with OSHA incident reporting regulations .

Retail and hospitality safety moment topics

14. avoiding slips, trips, and falls.

Workplace injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls cause workers to miss an average of 14 days of work . Go over potential hazards to watch for in your work environment, like tripping hazards, signage to be aware of, fall protection if necessary, the process for reporting incidents and near misses, and how to mitigate the risks.

15. Piling, stocking, and shelving hazards

Crowded aisles, tall stacks, and full shelves can create potential safety hazards for employees and customers. Review how to properly store, stack, and display inventory, as well as safe practices for avoiding cluttered emergency exit routes. A related safety moment topic would be ladder safety.

16. Safe lifting techniques

Standing for long periods of time can lead to back and leg injuries, especially when combined with bending over to lift objects. Provide frequent safety tips on good posture, the importance of appropriate footwear, and how to properly lift items to avoid injury.

17. Shoplifting and robbery protocols

If an employee faces theft or an armed robber, they need to know exactly how to handle the situation. A quick safety toolbox talk can refresh employees on what to do, how to protect themselves, and who to contact once everyone is safe.

18. Knife safety

There’s a common saying that a falling knife has no handle. Anyone who works in a kitchen has heard this a thousand times, but talking about how to properly handle and care for knives can help prevent an unfortunate injury and ensure a safe working environment for everyone.

19. Working with heat and flames

Hot surfaces and open flames from stoves, ovens, broilers, and deep fryers can all cause serious injuries. Quick safety talks focusing on each of these hazards can keep your kitchen staff aware of the risks and focused on doing their jobs safely.

Office environment safety moment topics

20. cybersecurity.

Researchers estimate that cyberattacks happen an average of every 39 seconds . Reviewing how to avoid phishing scams, social engineering, and unsafe attachments could save your company from a costly and painful data breach or malware infection.

21. Electrical safety

Offices might seem safe compared to industrial settings, but anything that plugs in can be a hazard. Frayed cords, overloaded surge protectors, and malfunctioning kitchen equipment can all lead to fires, and your team should know how to identify and address these unsafe conditions before a crisis develops.

22. Proper ergonomics

When you spend most of the day in front of a desk, you need a setup that’s easy on your body. Discuss the details of proper ergonomics to avoid repetitive stress injuries. including chair height and posture, desk height, monitor angle and orientation, and how to position keyboards and mice.

23. Eye strain

The more time someone spends staring at screens, the higher the risk of eye injuries. Going over ways to mitigate eye strain, such as screen filters and appropriate lighting, can help employees stay productive without impacting their vision.

24. The importance of regular breaks

Since sitting at a desk all day isn’t physically demanding, people might not think they need to take breaks. However, prolonged sitting can cause physical injuries, contribute to eye strain, and lead to mental fatigue. Remind employees not only to pause their work periodically but also to stand up and walk around for five to 10 minutes every hour.

Putting Your Safety Message of the Day to Work

A consistent feedback loop of training, education, and practice is an essential component of a strong safety culture . Frequent safety moments are a great way to complement more extensive and rigorous training programs, as they allow you to reinforce concepts on a more frequent basis.

In industrial settings, safety moments can set the tone for the day. Whether you’re reviewing a common topic or describing a new risk, an engaging discussion can get workers focused on keeping themselves and their peers safe. Five minutes every morning to ensure everyone goes home healthy and happy is time well spent.

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Free Safety Talks to Print for Your Next Safety Meeting

Looking for safety talk topics to use at work? Scroll down to browse the list of 250+ completely free safety talks below! Print them off to use for your next safety meeting or safety moment with your employees. Use the links below to segment the talks by the most relevant topic category to easily find what you are looking for.

Members have access to over 320+ additional toolbox talks that are not found on this free site. There are also PowerPoint presentations with quizzes, 80 Spanish safety talks, and hand-picked weekly topic ideas. Additional members-only content is added every month!

Click the image of the safety talk to the left to download 1 of the over 550+ ad-free talks that are available for Members!

Save time and money from having to create your own resources. Instead, use that time to continue furthering your safety program.

Separate Talks by Category:     BEHAVIORAL    |     CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY    |     GENERAL INDUSTRY    |    OFFICE     |    MOTOR VEHICLE      |      SPANISH

Free Safety Toolbox Talk Topics Complete List

• * Advice for Using These Toolbox Talks *
• Achieving Safety Goals
• Alcohol Use
• Amputations
• Annual Checkup
• Asbestos Dangers
• Attitude and Safety: Fostering Positive Attitude at Work
• Auto Accident Procedures
• Automated External Defibrillators
• Back Injuries and Prevention
• Backing Up Hazards
• Battery Handling
• Battling Complacency
• Bees and Wasps
• Before a Work Task Begins
• Being Client-focused (Construction Industry)
• Being Observant
• Being Respectful to Coworkers
• Benzene Dangers in the Workplace
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Burn Hazards and Injury Prevention
• Burn Severity
• Carbon Monoxide Safety
• Carcinogens in the Workplace
• Chainsaw General Safety
• Choices at Home and Safety on the Job
• Clothing and Safety
• Cold Stress Hazards
• Common Cold
• Common Issues with Fire Extinguishers
• Communicating Issues
• Communication and Safety
• Communication Tools and Safety
• Concrete Burns
• Concrete Work
• Continually Learning
• Conveyor Belt General Safety
• Costs of Drugs on the Job
• Dangers of Excessive Sitting
• Dealing with Hazards
• Dealing with Stress from Home
• Defensive Driving
• Diesel Exhaust Dangers and Safeguards
• Distracted Driving (Cellphone Use)
• Distracted While Walking
• Distractions Created by Smartphones When Not in Use
• Dog Attacks
• Doing Work Tasks Wrong the First Time
• Driving Safely Where Deer Are Present
• Dropped Objects on the Job
• Drowsy Driving
• Drunk Driving
• Dump Truck Operation
• Dump Truck Overturns
• Dust Hazards in Construction
• Easy Way Instead of the Right Way
• Eating Habits
• Electrical Injuries
• Electrical Safety
• Elimination of Hazards
• Embracing Change in the Workplace
• Emergency Exits
• Energy Drink Dangers
• Everyone is Responsible for the Culture
• Excavation Safety
• Excavator Quick Coupler Device Safety
• Eye Damage Due to Sunlight
• Eye Injuries and Prevention
• Fall Protection
• Falls in the Construction Industry
• Falls on the Same Level
• Fatal Four Hazards (Construction)
• Fatigue on the Job
• Fatigue on the Roadways
• Filter Pot Sock Filter Changeout
• Fire Extinguishers Use and Inspection
• Fire Safety at Home
• Fire Watch General Safety
• Firework Safety and Injury Prevention
• First Aid Preparedness
• First Day Back to Work
• Five Common Contributing Factors
• Fixed Objects (Motor Vehicle Safety)
• Fixed Open Blade Knives
• Food Allergies
• Forklift Fatalities and Injuries
• Four Focus Items for Work Area Inspections
• Front End Loader Safety
• Gasoline Safety
• Glycol Reclamation
• Good Enough Mindset
• Ground Personnel and Mobile Equipment
• Habits and Safety
• Hand Safety and Injury Prevention Safety Talk
• Hand Tool Inspections
• Hazardous Chemicals- Four Routes of Entry
• HDPE Pipe Welding
• Health is Everything
• Heart Attacks
• Heat Stress
• Heat Stroke
• Heavy Equipment (Four Other Hazards)
• Heavy Equipment (Two Significant Hazards)
• Heavy Equipment Operation
• Helping Out
• Hierarchy of Controls
• High Wind Dangers (Construction)
• Horseplay on the Job
• Hose Parting Pneumatic Testing
• Housekeeping in the Construction Industry
• How Observant Are You?
• How to Calculate Your Company’s TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate)
• How We React to Our World
• How What We Do at Home Affects Work
• Human Performance
• Hydration: The Importance of Water
• Hydrogen Sulfide
• Importance of Mentoring
• Importance of Organized Laydown Yards
• Incident Report Writing: A Comprehensive Guide
• Insect Sting Allergies
• Instant Gratification and Safety
• Involve the Right Person
• It Was a Matter of Time
• It Won’t Happen to Me
• Know Your Limits at Work
• Knowing What to do in an Emergency
• Lack of Time
• Ladder Safety
• Lawn Mower Safety
• Lead Paint Dangers and Safety
• Learning From Past Incidents
• Learning the Hard Way
• Leave Yourself an Out
• Lifting and Rigging
• Lightning Safety at Work and Home
• Line of Fire Hazards
• Lube Oil Flushing
• Lyme Disease
• Machine Guarding
• Manual Handling Injury Prevention
• Material Recovery Facilities General Safety
• Mechanical Issue-Related Crashes
• Motor Vehicle Safety
• Motor Vehicle Safety (Loose Cargo)
• Muddy Work Areas
• New Employees on the Job
• New Equipment
• Nine Basic Construction Safety Rules
• Noise at Work and Home
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
• Not a Big Deal Until it is
• Not My Problem
• Occupational-related Cancer
• Office Safety
• One Billion Dollars Spent on Injuries a Week
• One Decision
• One Safeguard Doesn’t Make it Safe
• Opioid Abuse
• Organization of Work Areas
• Orthostatic Intolerance
• Pinch Points and Hand Injuries
• Playing the Lottery and Workplace Injuries
• Pressure to Get Work Done
• Pressure Washing
• Preventing Equipment Damage Incidents in Construction
• Proactive Versus Reactive Safety Approach
• Questions to Ask Before a Work Task
• Rabies in the US
• Radio Communication on the Job
• Rationalizing Unsafe Choices
• Ready For Work
• Recognized Versus Unrecognized Hazards
• Recordable Injuries – Why Employees Should Care
• Relying on Memory
• Report All Injuries
• Respirator Donning, Doffing, and Seal Checks
• Road Rage (Motor Vehicle Safety)
• S.O.R.T Tool
• Safety Awareness: Being Present in the Moment
• Safety Can Be Redundant
• Safety Glasses
• Safety Related Paperwork
• Seatbelt Use and Safety
• Securing a Construction Site
• Selective Attention at Work
• Seven Basic General Industry Safety Rules
• Severity and Frequency
• Shift Work Dangers
• Shortcuts are a Choice
• Shoveling Snow
• Silica Dust Dangers and Safety Measures
• Skid Steer Safety
• Skin Cancer Due to Sun Exposure
• Sling Inspections
• Slip Hazards and Safety
• Slips, Trips, and Falls
• Smoking and Your Health
• Snakes in the Workplace
• Spill Prevention
• Spotter Safety at Work
• Stopping Work
• Stretching Pros and Cons
• Strokes- Signs and Emergency Response
• Struck-by Incidents (Construction)
• Success Through Reaching Potential
• Surveying (Construction)
• Table Saw General Safety
• Take Safety Home
• Taking Action to Work Safe
• Taking Ownership of Safety
• Taking Safety For Granted
• Taking Shortcuts
• Task Planning
• The “WHY” for “WHAT” Needs Done
• The Little Things
• The Negative Side of Quick Reactions
• The Ripple Effect of Safety
• Theft from a Construction Site
• Think of the Next Person
• Three Self-Centered Reasons to Work Safely
• Three Types of Poor Housekeeping Hazards
• Three Way Communication
• Top Five Reasons to Work Safely Today
• Tornado Safety
• Train Safety
• Trip Injuries and Prevention
• Truck Driving – Hazards On and Off the Road
• Two Types of Workplace Stress
• Types of Fire Extinguishers
• Underground Utility Strikes
• Unloading Trailers (Construction)
• Unsafe Acts
• Unsafe Conditions in the Workplace
• Utility Vehicle Safety at Home and Work
• Vehicle Inspections
• Verbal Communication and Workplace Safety
• Verifying Safeguards
• Weakest Link on Your Team
• Weed Wacker Safety
• West Nile Virus
• What Can Hurt Me Today?
• What is Your “Why”
• What Kind of Influence are You?
• Which Safeguard Makes the Difference?
• Why We All Should Care
• Wildlife in the Workplace
• Wind Chill Index
• Winter Weather
• Winter Weather Driving
• Work Area Best Practices
• Working Alongside Subcontractors
• Working From Home
• Workplace Inspections
• Workplace Shootings
• Workplace Suicides
• Workplace Violence
• Young Drivers and Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Zero Injuries in the Workplace

What Are Workplace Safety Talks?

Safety talks are short safety messages for the members of a work crew prior to work beginning. These talks can be as short as a few minutes or longer than 20 minutes. On average, they are in the range of 5 or 10 minutes long in duration at most companies when conducted often. The talks can cover a range of topics or just a single focal point.

Below are answers to some other common questions individuals may have about conducting these types of talks for their work crews.

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What are other names for these meetings.

There are many names for safety talks. Some of the more common names are safety toolbox talks, toolbox talks, safety moments, safety briefings, safety pep talks, and tailgate meetings. For the most part, many of these names represent the same thing. However, there can be slight differences between companies or industries.

These meetings, no matter what they are called, are the safety message of the day for a work crew prior to the start of the day.

Providing a Safety Moment of the Day

When done correctly, these talks can have a profound effect on the overall safety program at a workplace. Companies that spend time holding these meetings are less likely to have injuries compared to a company that does not hold them on a regular basis.

Conducting meetings often is an effective way to deliver relevant and timely safety messages to an entire work crew. The time spent conducting these talks also goes a long way toward reinforcing prior training efforts.

Even just holding a 5-minute meeting every day equates to a massive amount of knowledge for your workforce over a year’s time. To be exact- it results in over 20 hours of education per employee a year! (5 minutes X 5 workdays per week X 50 work weeks= 1250 minutes… 1250 minutes/60 minutes per hour= 20.8 hours of education) Imagine the difference that education can make if you make the most out of every talk!

What Topics Should You Cover for These Safety Talks?

The topic or topics you should cover for the next safety toolbox talk will vary greatly from what topic(s) another company should be discussing. Some general questions you can ask yourself to narrow in on some topics:

• What training needs to be reinforced?
• What problems have we been having lately?
• What are common injuries in this line of work?
• What have our near misses been a result of?
• What trends are occurring in the workplace or in our industry?

There are many other questions or guidelines you can use to determine what topics or topics you should cover. Keep topics useful, relevant, and timely.

Where Can I Find Free Safety Topics Online in 2023? 

This site has one of the largest libraries of free topics found online today. That being said, there are also a number of great resources online to find topics for your next safety meeting. One of our favorite resources for topics is on OSHA’s website. They have a page called Safety and Health Topics that has a large list of high-quality topics.

Some other high-quality and reputable sources for toolbox talks or materials to support talks:

• Mine Health and Safety Administration
• Center for Disease Control
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Bureau of Labor Statistics

Who Should Deliver a Safety Talk?

The person who is directing the work should be the one responsible for conducting or leading the safety talk. The responsibility at many companies, however, falls onto the safety officer or EHS manager instead. The reason for having the individual who is directing the work lead the talk is to show support for the message and efforts to work safely.

If it is constantly the EHS department’s responsibility to present, then employees can be led to believe that the frontline supervisors or managers do not truly support safety. If the workers’ supervisors or managers are not participating in the safety efforts, why should they?

The EHS department should instead serve more of an advisory role to the supervisor conducting the talk. They can provide the supervisor with topics, materials, or information for the talk, as well as chime in as needed to add value.

Do not be afraid to offer employees the chance to present at a meeting. While most employees would never choose to present a topic, you may be surprised to find that many would if given the chance.

How Often Should You Conduct Safety Talks?

There is no short and dry answer to how often your company should be conducting these talks. Some companies do multiple talks daily, and other companies may only do them monthly. A monthly schedule is probably way too sparingly for most companies, and two talks a day may be too often for others.

Companies often settle on conducting daily or weekly talks. At many companies, daily safety meetings prior to work beginning is an appropriate practice. Holding meetings that often may not make sense for all operations, however.

As mentioned earlier, these talks do not have to be extremely long. A lot of value can be added in a short amount of time if the talks are completed often. Employees are more likely to take more away from these talks if they are shorter in duration but are more frequent compared to longer meetings that occur infrequently.

Where Should Safety Talks Be Conducted?

These talks should be held in a place where employees are comfortable and can focus. Meeting rooms or break rooms are common areas where companies choose to hold their safety meetings. Another setting that can be even more effective is the work area(s) themselves.

This should only be done if the work area is comfortable, safe, and convenient for all involved in the talk. Conducting the talk in the work area itself can help employees visualize the information being conveyed, as well as allow the presenter to point out specific examples of what they are discussing.

If holding it in the work area is not an option, pictures or maps of the worksite can be great tools so that employees can visualize what is being said.

What Else Can You Do to Have a Better Safety Meeting or Safety Moment?

There are many things you can do to hold a better meeting. Below are a few quick tips that have not already been mentioned in this post:

• Prepare ahead of time.
• Keep topics relevant and timely to the audience.
• Only take the time necessary to cover the topic; do not drag it out.
• Do not read the talk word for word from the paper.
• Get the audience involved by asking for stories or examples relating to the topic.
• Use visual aids as needed to help get your message across.
• Have fun- don’t take yourself so seriously!

For more tips, check out this post on this site that outlines 10 tips for a better toolbox talk .

Does OSHA Require Safety Toolbox Talks?

While OSHA does not specifically require a company to hold safety talks or toolbox talks in any of their standards, doing so can play a part in helping to ensure compliance with some standards. For example, OSHA requires that employers make employees aware of the hazards of the work that they do and how to eliminate them.

One specific example of this is found in the construction standard under 1926.21(b)(2), where OSHA states: “The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.”

While training will be a large part of ensuring compliance with this specific regulation, safety toolbox talks are also a way to help to ensure compliance. These talks need to have the correct documentation to do so.

How Should You Document Safety Toolbox Talks?

Without documenting these efforts, there is no actual proof they were done. Meaning there is nothing to show OSHA or someone in your company in response to whether or not you were educating your employees on the hazards involved in their work. A lack of documentation can be problematic.

Every time a talk is conducted, a sign-in sheet should be completed by the presenter and signed by everyone present for the meeting. Some guidelines for documentation:

• Include the date and time.
• Include the presenter(s) name(s).
• Have everyone sign the sheet.
• Be detailed about what topics were discussed.
• Attach any materials used for the talk to the sign-in sheet.
• File documentation in chronological order so they can be easily found to be reviewed if needed.

The answers to the who, what, when, why, and how of safety talks can be as long of a list as the possible topics you could cover in your next meeting. The bottom line is your company should be conducting these talks on a regular basis as well as giving thought on how to continually improve on giving them. Use some of the insight here and tailor it to your company’s needs.

Consider checking out the Members Area of the site. There are plenty of other safety topics covered in there (with additional content added each month) if you find yourself not finding what you need in all of the free content offered on this site!

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Guest-of-Honour Address at SCAL Environment Health and Safety Campaign 2024

Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower, BCA Academy

Mr Lee Kay Chai, President of Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL) Industry Partners, Award recipients, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,    1. I’m delighted to be here today at SCAL’s annual Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Campaign.

a. SCAL has played a significant and outsized role in promoting and influencing workplace safety and health or WSH in the construction sector. i. It provides training and resources for contractors looking to create a safer and more productive work environment. ii. And is one of MOM’s key partners that provide pertinent feedback on WSH policies and issues, and has been instrumental in rallying all of you, its members, to improve industry safety standards and practices. 

b. One excellent effort by SCAL is the annual EHS campaign.  i. It fosters a culture of safety excellence by celebrating and showcasing companies with good WSH innovations. ii. Thank you SCAL for promoting best practices that safeguard the well-being of our workers! IMPROVEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR’S WSH PERFORMANCE  2. In 2023, we achieved a significant improvement in Singapore’s WSH performance.  a. It was the first time in the last decade, other than 2020 due to COVID-19, that our fatal injury rate fell below 1 per 100,000 workers. 

b. Many of you would know that this was the target set by our then-Prime Minister Lee back in 2017, to achieve by 2028.We achieved this in 2023, five years ahead of time. i. It was an ambitious target, achieved by only four OECD countries, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden on a consistent basis.  

c. While we have achieved it ahead of schedule, the key is how we can consistently maintain it, and it depends on all of us not letting up our efforts.   3. The construction sector plays a very important part in sustaining this improvement, as it is one of the highest risk sectors in our economy.  

a. Over the last decade, we have seen an encouraging improvement in the construction sector’s WSH performance. 

b. The sector’s fatal injury rate reduced by about 40%, from 5.5 per 100,000 workers in 2014, to 3.4 in 2023. 

c. This has been a big contributor to the national improvement in fatal injury rate. 4. While we are heartened and encouraged by this progress, we must continue to improve our standards.

a. In the last ten years, construction’s fatal injury rate still averages to be at least 2.5 times higher than the national rate. 

b. The fatal incident that occurred last week at the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link station in Woodlands is a very stern and solemn reminder for us to not let our guard down.  PRESSING ON TO ENTRENCH A CULTURE OF WSH EXCELLENCE 5. Therefore, construction contractors must entrench a culture of WSH excellence.  

a. First, we have a moral duty to do right for our workers and by our workers.  i. They form the backbone in our construction sector.  ii. Many are migrant workers who leave their families behind to build our homes and infrastructure.  iii. Most of them are the sole breadwinners in their families.  iv. As their employers, it is our responsibility to ensure that they work in a safe and healthy environment.  v. And that they can ultimately return home joyously to their families safe and sound.

b. Second, workplace safety absolutely makes economic sense.  i. Workplace incidents result in direct costs to companies, such as workers’ compensation for workplace injury and medical expenses, property losses, as well as indirect costs such as loss of productivity and future contracts. 

c. We estimate this to be as high as $600,000 per company per fatal or major injury. ii. The negative publicity from incidents also damages companies’ reputation, and affects your ability to get new contracts.  a. No one wants to work with companies with poor safety records.

d. Contractors with poor WSH performance are also disqualified from participating in government tenders. 6. That’s why I’m very happy that many in the industry have demonstrated innovation and commitment in raising WSH standards.

a. Through developing new technical solutions to reduce workplace safety risks, 

b. and also inculcating strong safety culture and values in your workers and teams. 7. For instance:

a. At Expand Construction,  i. a team of innovators designed a Dynamic Glider System to facilitate safe transfer of materials for the construction of the Mandai Boardwalk.  ii. The glider system uses less manpower and makes it safer and easier for the workers to transfer materials over uneven terrains, improving their productivity by five times.   iii. I am heartened to see companies developing such ground-up and innovative solutions that reduce risks of injury in their daily operations. 

b. In the area of inculcating safety culture and values, one example is Wee Chwee Huat Scaffolding’s WSH Supervisor – Mr Arainith Kumar.  i. Mr Kumar goes the extra mile in raising individual workers’ safety awareness. ii. When workers report safety concerns, he acknowledges them on the monthly recognition board, and gets them a drink and breakfast to say thank you. iii. These are small gestures that go a long way to signal that every worker can take ownership of WSH to mitigate risks.

c. As another example, we have Keller Foundations (South East Asia) Pte. Ltd, one of our SLOTS  Award Winners today. i. To underscore the importance of WSH, the management takes part in safety meetings and site inspections.  ii. They also introduced thorough training and assessment programmes that focus on identifying risky behaviours and preventing incidents. 

d. These are just a few examples. In total, we have 11 exemplary award winners today, i. who demonstrate that safety is a core tenet of companies’ day-to-day operations and business processes. LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE WSH OUTCOMES 8. Moving forward, we can also make better use of technology to raise safety performance and productivity at the level of the whole construction sector. 9. The Built Environment Industry Transformation Map sets out how the sector can do so.

a. One recommendation is to use Robotics & Automation to automate labour-intensive tasks like drilling and carrying materials on site.  i. By doing so, we can reduce workplace risks such as falling from height, and injuries associated with transporting heavy equipment.

b. Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) is another game-changing method of construction.  i. It is where construction is designed for manufacturing off site in a controlled environment before being assembled on site. ii. By doing so, you can reduce the construction time and manpower required.  iii. It will also be safer for workers as they can spend less time working at height.   10. Contractors can also use digital tools to supervise worksites and make sure that work is being done safely. 

a. It has been about a month since the Video Surveillance System or VSS requirement for worksites with contract value of $5 million and above came into effect. 

b. One in four contractors surveyed by MOM has gone above and beyond our requirement to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) video analytics, in addition to the basic VSS.  i. Take for instance, Zheng Keng Engineering & Construction.  Beyond MOM’s VSS, they have added AI-enabled video analytics to alert the project team on safety issues in real time. 

c. This has helped them to: i. Save manpower resources deployed to do on-the-ground surveillance,  ii. And halve the frequency of weekly incidents from ten to five. iii. This is heartening and I urge more contractors to adopt these technologies. 11. The Government will continue to support contractors in adopting proven technologies to improve safety, such as the stability control system (SCS) for lorry cranes. 12. Lorry cranes are often used near public areas.

a. If the crane topples, it can have a severe impact on workers and potentially even members of the public.  13. Over the past decade, among the lorry crane-related dangerous occurrences that have happened, 6 in 10 of them could have been prevented if the SCS had been installed.  

a. I’m sure many of you know about the incident in May where a lorry crane used to lift a concrete bucket toppled and injured a worker.  The incident would likely have been prevented if the lorry crane was installed with SCS.

b. Hence, from 1 Jan 2025, MOM will require newly registered lorry cranes to be installed with the SCS. 14. Ideally, existing lorry cranes should also install the SCS.

a. However, we recognise that the installation could lead to downtime for existing lorries and increase business costs.

b. So, we strongly encourage owners of existing lorry cranes to install the SCS, but it is mandatory only for newly registered lorry cranes. 15. To help defray the installation costs, the Government has set up an SCS Grant.

a. Owners of both new and existing lorry cranes can claim up to 70% of the costs.

b. The grant is available for limited time.

c. So, hurry for the lorry!  CLOSING REMARKS

16. I want to close with a very special heartfelt thanks to SCAL. We went through one of the most difficult periods during Covid.  I was personally involved in our fortnightly huddle, and I am very grateful and appreciative of your support,  cooperation, understanding and patience. Many of  whom are SCAL Council Members here today. 17. SCAL always has a special place in my heart, and in the hearts of all my MOM colleagues because of the difficult period. It was a baptism of fire all the more because I was a first time Minister.  I would like to use this opportunity to thank SCAL and all of your members for your unwavering commitment to WSH, and for being proactive, to be open to the use of technology. 18. Building a safety culture is the right thing to do, and is good for your business. 19. I hope that we can continue to work together and elevate the WSH performance in the construction sector.  20. Thank you!

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FACT SHEET: President   Biden Announces New Actions to Protect Workers and Communities from Extreme   Weather

Despite the severe impacts of extreme weather events, Republicans in Congress continue to deny the very existence of climate change and expose their constituents to health and safety dangers

Across the country, tens of millions of Americans are experiencing the effects of extreme weather events. From the record-shattering heat wave across the Midwest and Northeast, to devastating flooding in Iowa and Minnesota, to raging wildfires in New Mexico, Oregon, and California, communities in every corner of the country are being directly impacted by the compounding effects of extreme weather. The Atlantic is also facing an active hurricane seasonal outlook that will require residents to maintain vigilance against flooding and wind threats. In addition to posing direct threats to lives and livelihoods, major weather events – which are becoming increasingly extreme due to the climate crisis – have had significant economic impacts: last year’s record 28 individual billion-dollar extreme weather and climate disasters caused more than $90 billion in aggregate damage. Meanwhile, many Republicans in Congress continue to deny the very existence of climate change and remain committed to repealing the President’s Inflation Reduction Act – the biggest climate protection bill ever – which would undermine the health and safety of their own constituents. As the impacts of flooding, drought, wildland fires, heat waves, and other extreme weather events intensify, President Biden is delivering on the most ambitious climate agenda in American history — an agenda that is lowering energy costs for hardworking families, bolstering America’s energy security, creating thousands of good-paying jobs, and strengthening community-driven climate resilience across the country. Today, the President is receiving an operational briefing on extreme weather forecasts for this summer, and he will announce new actions to protect workers and families from the impacts of extreme weather, including:  

• The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing a rule to protect workers that, if finalized, would establish the nation’s first-ever federal safety standard addressing excessive heat in the workplace.  The risk that extreme heat poses to certain workers has long been recognized – even apart from the impacts of climate change. Recognizing these risks, the proposed rule includes requirements for identifying heat hazards, developing heat illness and emergency response plans, providing training to employees and supervisors, and implementing work practice standards — including rest breaks, access to shade and water, and heat acclimatization for new employees. If finalized, OSHA projects the rule would affect approximately 36 million workers and substantially reduce heat injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace.
• The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency is announcing nearly $1 billion dollars in awards for 656 projects across the country to help communities protect against disasters and natural hazards, including extreme heat, storms, and flooding. Historic funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program will go to projects that will eliminate or reduce flood damage, mitigate the effects of extreme heat, and enhance infrastructure resilience. Projects include $50 million to Philadelphia, PA, to improve the resilience of a stormwater pump station and mitigate flooding; $6 million to Goldsboro, NC, for an improved flood drainage channel; and $724,000 to build shaded bus stops in areas of high heat exposure in Washington, D.C. This program is part of the President’s Justice40 Initiative , which aims to ensure 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy and other investment areas flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
• The Environmental Protection Agency is releasing a new report showing the continuing and far-reaching impacts of climate change on the people and environment of the United States.  The report highlights how climate change impacts – including heat waves, sea surface temperatures, coastal flooding, and wildfires – are increasingly affecting people’s health, society, and ecosystems in a variety of ways. For example, the report notes that the average length of the heat wave season is 46 days longer today than it was in the 1960s and, in recent years, the average heat wave in major U.S. urban areas has lasted about four days – about a full day longer than the average heat wave in the 1960s.

President Biden is also announcing that later this summer, he will bring together state, local, Tribal, and Territorial leaders – who are protecting U.S. communities and workers from extreme weather every day and helping strengthen America’s global leadership on climate – for a White House Summit on Extreme Heat. Today’s announcements build on numerous actions that the Biden-Harris Administration has taken to bolster our preparedness and resilience nationwide, including working with state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners to provide clear and accessible information on how individuals and communities can protect themselves from extreme weather events. Protecting Communities from Extreme Heat:  President Biden has taken historic action to protect workers and communities from the impacts of extreme heat, including lowering home energy costs and helping more Americans stay safe, cool, and healthy in their homes. President Biden has also taken important steps to increase the resilience of the power system against extreme heat and wildfires, including through more than $14 billion to enhance grid flexibility and grid resilience, including the deployment of resilience-enhancing microgrids and energy storage. The Administration has also announced $1 billion in grants  to expand equitable access to trees and green spaces  in urban communities, which will reduce heat-island effects and cool cities. The Administration is also strengthening America’s leadership overseas, including by convening global stakeholders to advance heat-related resilience efforts and reducing heat risk for U.S. workers abroad. To better equip local officials and the public with robust and accessible information, the Administration launched  Heat.gov , a centralized portal with real-time, interactive data and resources on extreme heat conditions, preparedness, and response. Combating the Growing Threat of Wildfires: In addition to implementing a Wildfire Crisis Strategy  that will limit the impact and severity of fires, the Administration has invested $7 billion to expand the wildland firefighter workforce, deployed new technology to better respond to fires, and completed a historic 6.85 million acres of hazardous fuels treatments. The Administration also launched a new  Community Wildfire Defense Grant  program that helps local communities develop and implement wildfire preparedness plans. In addition, the Administration is tackling the pronounced health effects of wildfire smoke by investing over $10 million to enhance wildfire smoke preparedness and protection in communities across the West. AirNow.gov  and its specialized  Fire and Smoke Map  provide Americans with real-time information about smoke and air quality so people can make informed decisions about how to stay safe. Reducing Flood Risk for Households and Communities: Most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance does not cover flood damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s  National Flood Insurance Program  is helping communities proactively protect their homes, businesses, and belongings from unexpected flood damage by providing  guidance  to communities on how they can mitigate their flood risk. In addition to investing billions of dollars to reduce flood risks across America and protect communities from rising insurance costs, President Biden also  reinstated  and is implementing the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, which ensures that Federal agencies are considering and managing current and future flood risks in order to build a more resilient nation. Strengthening Water Security Across the West : Over the past two decades, the Colorado River Basin has experienced the driest period in the region in over one thousand years. President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda is providing over $15 billion—and has already funded nearly 500 projects—to enhance the West’s resilience to drought, including projects to reuse, recycle, recharge, store, conserve, and desalinate water resources, and to revitalize aging water infrastructure. The Administration has also taken historic action to conserve millions of acre-feet of water in the Colorado River Basin, securing our nation’s water resources for future generations and staving off the immediate collapse of the Colorado River. Promoting Climate-Smart Buildings and Infrastructure: Buildings and infrastructure investments last for generations when done right, so it is critical to plan and build in ways that promote climate resilience. President Biden’s  National Initiative to Advance Building Codes  is accelerating adoption of modern building codes that protect people from extreme-weather events and save communities an estimated  $1.6 billion  a year in avoided damages. The Administration is also making billions of dollars available to build climate-smart buildings and green infrastructure which will keep American’s homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Empowering Communities to Better Understand and Plan for Climate Risk: The Biden-Harris Administration is advancing actionable data, information, tools, and technical assistance to help people understand and address their climate risks. These tools will help communities understand and plan for local climate-related hazards  ; assess changes in coastal flood risk   ensure that Federal agencies are producing coordinated, actionable climate information ; and increase support for regional applied science and services centers . Incorporating Climate Risk into Decision-Making : Extreme weather, intensified by climate change, threatens the U.S. economy and the financial security of families, businesses, and workers. President Biden’s  Executive Order on Climate-Related Financial Risk  ensures that climate risk and resilience actions are appropriately factored into the formulation and execution of the President’s Budget, thereby properly managing and protecting Federal funding on behalf of taxpayers. This includes  formally accounting  for the risks that climate change pose in the President’s Budget for the first time.

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" A Powerful, Hilarious Safety Keynote Speaker"  ENBRIDGE

Safety is a serious business. Every year the number of safety infractions goes up. Everything from fall protection, lack of PPE, and improper use put organizations and individuals in danger.

Safety accidents caused by human error are preventable. These infractions cost organizations millions and make a drastic impact on morale.

The number one thing people need to feel at work is safe.

Basic safety awareness training is critical, and we need to do it often. People stop listening when you are delivering the same safety messages over and over again.

Hiring a safety motivational speaker helps make your event more meaningful and your message more memorable. Creating a safe workplace is up to us. Safety leaders build a positive safety culture that keeps people aware and happy.

I am a keynote speaker at over 15 safety events per year. I did stand- up comedy for many years, so I weave comedy and compelling content around safety, your theme, and your goals.

A Blend of unique insights with hilarious comedy, this motivational safety speech puts you in control. Engage safety leaders in a way that is meaningful to them instead of pushing safety on them.

For every safety keynote speech, I like to cater to the group. Some safety leaders want lots of safety content, and others find their agenda is too safety heavy, so they want something safety-related but more about influence, humor, and resilience. It's up to you. We determine this through our pre keynote speech interviews.

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A top motivational speaker, Jody does not use PowerPoint. Her only requirement is a roaming microphone

Below are three of my most popular safety keynote speeches:

Follow Me I'm Right Behind You! How to Influence Others in a Safety Culture

The key to successful safety leadership today is influence, not authority. With today's rapidly evolving, fast-paced workplace, influential safety leaders must work harder than ever to influence and engage others to keep safety a priority.

Safety Leaders need tools to both influence, energize, and engage staff members and keep their fires of hope burning. Through humor, insight, and inspiration, the safety speech, Follow Me I'm Right Behind You provides a lively, interactive look at how to inspire a resilient workforce that stays safety focused.

In this gut splitting hilarious motivational safety speech learn:

• How great safety leaders can continually influence others
• Discover your areas of resistance
• The three stages of safety influence and where your team stand
• How people who play together stay together how humor helps you build a robust, resilient workforce
• To increase Purpose and Vision
• To create a culture of involvement and belonging

Safety leaders often tell me their people would be very safe and compliant if only they could get along. Conflict comes between people and their ability to work together. When teams can't see eye to eye, safety suffers. It's hard to be alert and focused when your emotions are tied up in resentment and conflict.

We developed the Safety Keynote Speech; I Love My Job, It's the People I Can't Stand! As a hilarious and disarming way to look at conflict, build a safety culture, and finally get along.

Safety Speech :

I Love My Job. It's The People I Can't Stand!

Join us in this hilariously interactive, practical, and inspiring safety motivational speech that shows you how to develop healthy communication patterns with anyone.

You can learn to handle the most difficult situations and the most challenging people and how to get through to others without giving in. Never again fall victim to those who love to make life miserable for the rest of us! Knowing how to deal with difficult people at work will allow you to approach your job with more enjoyment and your coworkers with greater confidence.

Cooperation, collaboration, and compromise will improve workplace satisfaction . . . and productivity! Build a more productive, enjoyable, and efficient workplace for everyone.

Develop a safety mindset and navigate team change.

Finally, I am hired as a funny safety keynote speaker . Sometimes agendas need a levity break. The right balance is reached with comedy and humor. This hilarious Keynote for Safety uses Stand- Up Comedy to Stand- Up to Safety.

The Nerve to Serve, Say Hello to Humor & Goodbye to Burnout!

Humor helps. The ability to laugh at life helps us deal with daily disappointments and setbacks. Humor gives safety professionals the nerve to serve in our increasingly complex and challenging environment. Join us as we demonstrate how humor helps you stay in control, stay focused, and maintain balance and perspective.

As a funny inspirational safety speaker, Jody will help participants learn how to:

Laugh at the tough stuff. When stress persists, be compelled to take yourself lightly, so the pressure isn't as heavy or emotionally exhausting.

• Say hello to humor and goodbye to burnout
• Use appropriate humor as a tool, not a weapon
• Play along the way and enjoy work while boosting productivity and focus
• Be compelled to use fun, laughter, and play to breathe new passion and resilience into work
• Use their Amuse System to Boost their Immune System

Stand- up to Safety!

Jody is a featured guest speaker for the GE Healthcare Tip-TV program, broadcast in over 2600 healthcare facilities. Her recruitment insights and expertise earned her the 2008 Bronze Award in the 29th Annual Telly Awards for excellence in programming this presentation.

Jody is a featured guest speaker for the GE Healthcare Tip-TV program, broadcast in over 2600 healthcare facilities. Her recruitment insights and expertise earned her the 2008 Broze Award in the 29th Annual Telly Awards for excellence in programming this presentation.

See what having a funny female motivational speaker can do for your event

You deserve a keynote speaker who understands how important it is to get it right and will dedicate their time focusing on entertaining and lifting up your people, making them feel valued and appreciated instead of just pushing content at them.

We all know that work life is hard.It causes burn out, disgruntled-ness and lack of connection. Show them the love they deserve by giving them an event they'll enjoy with a speaker who can work even the toughest crowds.

With a background in stand- up comedy and 22 years experience as a keynote speaker, Jody knows the right balance between delivering great content and strong audience engagement.

What people are saying about All Work & No Say

"Meeting planners rely on her consistent ability to get positive feedback from clients such as: “Ten minutes into her presentation, I realized that I was laughing so hard that my cheeks hurt… That’s when I thought to myself: We need her in Red Lake! With a staff recognition event around the corner, I thought her ability to bring humor to the most mundane was just what my friends and colleagues needed. The rest is history, she did an outstanding job…" – Michelle DesRoches

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• Published: 08 July 2024

A bloody disgrace — time to change patient safety culture

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After decades of institutional deceit, deflection, defensiveness and delay, publication of the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry lays bare the failings of the British state and its National Health Service. Now, it is time for justice, accountability and a change in patient safety culture.

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S.C. provided a witness statement to the Infected Blood Inquiry as a core participant. He is also an employee of Springer Nature, the publisher of Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology , but was not involved in the editorial decision-making for this article. His authorship of this article has been disclosed internally at Springer Nature and approved.

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"None of this should be surprising": John Oliver calls out GOP "cancel culture" hypocrisy

Conservatives "trying to ban any speech they don’t like" but "when it’s theirs, it can be mandated by law", by nardos haile.

John Oliver  on Sunday's edition of  "Last Week Tonight"  called out the latest chapter of the culture war Republicans are waging on public schools.

Oliver noted that Louisiana last week became the first state to require the Ten Commandments be displayed in public classrooms "from kindergarten to publicly funded universities," highlighting the growing trend of Republicans pushing Christian ideology into public education. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed the bill into law last Wednesday, saying, "If you want to respect the rule of law, you gotta start from the original lawgiver, which was Moses."

Oliver retorted "First: Moses was not the original lawgiver. That would be—say it with me—Ur-Nammu, king of the ancient Sumerian third dynasty of Ur, that’s right. It’s something we all know. But more importantly, it’s true: Louisiana will now require the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public classrooms, even kindergartens. Which is absurd."

"Kindergarteners don’t need 'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife' next to their cubbies. That’s not a thing they do. And even if they did, who cares? They’re five. If you’re that worried about your wife running off with a five-year-old, your marriage has problems no god can fix," Oliver joked.

The host also pointed out that behind the governor, "one of the kids collapsed and Landry never once turns around to see what’s going on."

"But that’s a perfect encapsulation of the Republican Party today—loudly pretending to care about the well-being of children while completely ignoring the literal well-being of a child," Oliver stated.

The host added that the bill's sponsor also had no concerns about how the new law would affect non-Christian or Jewish students.

"You don’t believe this alienates students who are not Christian or Jewish?" an opposing lawmaker questioned Republican state Rep. Dodie Horton.

"No ma’am, I don’t. This is about a moral code that our country was founded upon and they can simply turn their heads, I suppose," Horton responded.

Oliver replied: "Yeah, they can simply turn their heads, you suppose. You know, the thing the governor of Louisiana seems completely incapable of doing when a child falls right behind him."

The host noted that the "clearly unconstitutional" law is already facing a lawsuit threat from the ACLU. "And you’d think they’d stand a good chance to win—especially as Kentucky actually passed a similar law decades ago, only for it to be struck down by the Supreme Court in 1980. But the truth is, as this constitutional expert points out, this time could be different," he said.

While the the Supreme Court's precedent held a similar law as unconstitutional, "precedent isn’t what it used to be" given the political leanings of the current court, an expert said in a clip on the show.

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"Yeah, that’s putting it mildly. Precedent used to mean justices had to have a really good reason to reverse course on settled law, and one better than just, 'My billionaire friends said they’d take me to Barbados next time,'" Oliver said in an apparent reference to Justice Clarence Thomas.

This isn't the only battle schools have faced in the last several years, from book banning , banning trans students from using gender-affirming bathrooms and now a new conflict over public displays of symbols in Tennessee, Florida and Utah has led to the states all introducing bills to ban Pride flags in schools.

"None of this should be surprising, conservatives love to rail against 'cancel culture' while trying to ban any speech they don’t like. So when it’s someone else’s symbol, it’s an affront that needs to be burned or banned, but when it’s theirs, it can be mandated by law, and anyone who doesn’t like it can just turn their head and not look," Oliver concluded.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver airs on Sundays at 11 p.m. ET on Max.

about "Last Week Tonight"

• John Oliver calls out "uncritical fawning praise" of Indian PM Narendra Modi amid growing crackdown
• John Oliver rates his favorite Eurovision contestant, Windows95man, a "14,000 out of 10"
• "Doesn’t feel like a coincidence": John Oliver alarmed over right-wing efforts to censor libraries

Nardos Haile is a staff writer at Salon covering culture. She’s previously covered all things entertainment, music, fashion and celebrity culture at The Associated Press. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

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