American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)’s Post

When Zero Incidents Hide Real Risks An incident free record doesn’t always mean a safe workplace. As Sidney Dekker explains, success can sometimes mask growing risks. When organizations focus too much on “zero harm,” people may stop reporting issues, and safety turns into a performance rather than reality. Hidden problems stay unnoticed until something goes wrong. Real safety means: Encouraging open reporting. Reviewing successes as critically as failures. Focusing on real risks, not just statistics. Zero is not the goal, honesty and learning are.

A lot of this can be attributed to luck or a lack of reporting. Risk has to be diligently and deliberately thought out to minimize harm to employees.

It’s an important job! Never ending journey! “Systemic weaknesses can persist unnoticed inside high-performing organizations. Safety professionals must once more examine the complex relationship between operational success and the potential for incidents and fatalities.”

This article highlights the main reason why I don't encourage companies to have "zero incidents" Having a goal of zero incidents creates a culture where incidents are condemned, hidden, and swept under the rug. It creates a culture of fear around incidents and injury support, it creates a culture of hiding incidents that legally should be reported... and can actually damage the organization in many ways. Some negative impacts of having a zero incidents goal include: - culture of fear and shame around reporting incidents - workers become anxious and nervous about getting hurt which can in turn actually cause them to be more likely to make a mistake or get injured - potential OHS fines or stop work orders from being caught hiding or covering up workplace incidents that required reporting - fines or penalties from WCB for not reporting injuries as legally required - potential jail time or criminal negligence charges for knowingly covering up incidents and injuries - audit failure; when injuries and incidents are not handled correctly it will reflect poorly on an audit and can cause you to fail Although I think it's healthy to have a goal of keeping incidents to an absolute minimum, having a goal of zero is not it. The goal should be that no incident will go by without investigation, and proper corrective action. Further to that, the best way to prevent that incident from happening again is developing proactive procedures and TALKING ABOUT THEM. Discuss them in safety meetings, committee meetings, toolbox meetings. Post about them on memo boards. Request formal team review and sign off on new procedures following an incident, and explain why the new process is in place. Prevention is absolutely possible, being proactive with how we handle incidents for the overall goal of awareness, improvement, and growth is key.

Lack of incidents doesn't mean a safe workplace. Zero incidents often lead to complacency that can camouflage growing risks.

This is a fantastic article about safety. What many people don’t know is that some of the WORST process safety accidents occurred within facilities with the BEST safety records. Don’t be fooled by vanity metrics! Here was a great line in the article: “Muster the leadership courage and humility to make it safe for people to talk.” I don’t care what you’re doing - that’s great advice!

Question: what’s occurring when nothing is occurring? An incident-­free record may not guarantee safety and could instead signal hidden vulnerabilities. Leaders must adopt a mindset of inquiry, questioning how success is achieved and what sacrifices might have been made along the way.

🚩 The Hidden Danger: How Toxic Work Environments Jeopardize Safety Management 🚩 A toxic workplace isn’t just about unhappy employees—it can have serious implications for safety management and overall organizational well-being. When trust erodes, communication breaks down, and morale plummets, the risk of accidents and safety violations skyrockets. In such environments: - Employees may hesitate to report hazards or safety concerns. - Critical safety protocols might be ignored or bypassed. - Stress and burnout increase, impairing judgment and reaction times. - Team cohesion diminishes, making coordinated responses to emergencies difficult. Creating a culture of safety requires more than policies; it demands a healthy, respectful, and transparent work environment. Prioritizing mental health, open communication, and mutual respect isn’t just good for morale—it’s essential for safety. Let’s commit to fostering workplaces where safety and well-being go hand in hand. Because safeguarding people starts with a positive, supportive culture. 💡 #WorkplaceSafety #SafetyManagement #ToxicWorkEnvironment #OrganizationalHealth #WorkplaceWellness #EmployeeWellbeing #SafetyFirst #PositiveWorkCulture

Building adaptive safety culture in the modern workplace In a world where change is constant, safety can’t be static. This article explores how forward-thinking organizations are evolving their safety programs — blending psychological safety, resilience, and tactical readiness to better protect people on every shift. If you lead safety, operations, or organizational culture, this is a must-read. 🔗 Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/gpuEcfww #SafetyCulture #WorkplaceSafety #PsychologicalSafety

Workplace safety is more than following rules — it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels responsible for protecting themselves and others. Key steps to foster a strong safety culture: ✅ Proactively identifying and addressing hazards ✅ Encouraging open communication and reporting of near-misses ✅ Continuously improving processes through feedback and collaboration When safety becomes part of the culture, productivity increases, risks decrease, and employees feel valued. What strategies have you found effective in promoting safety in your workplace? Let’s share insights and learn from each other! #HSE #WorkplaceSafety #SafetyCulture #RiskManagement #ContinuousImprovement