The Key to Safer Workplaces? Listening to Your Employees

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common workplace injury, accounting for more than 500,000 days away from work over just two years. Beyond the physical toll on workers, these injuries cost businesses billions in lost productivity, overtime coverage, and workers’ compensation claims.

The National Safety Council’s MSD Solutions Lab is taking on this issue with bold goals and a growing community of employers committed to reducing injuries. But as many organizations are learning, even the best technology or policies won’t go far without one critical ingredient: employee feedback.

Safety Innovation Starts with Listening

Too often, safety initiatives are designed in the boardroom instead of the breakroom. Yet, the most valuable insights come from the people closest to the risk: your employees. They’re the ones who know where the repetitive strain happens, when the equipment feels off, or which corners of the process get skipped under pressure.

Wyffels Hybrids, a family-owned seed company and recent MSD Pledge 2.0 signatory, discovered this firsthand. By engaging employees and analyzing trends, they uncovered that most ergonomic injuries were happening among seasonal workers. That feedback led to smarter equipment investments, revised workflows, and ultimately, a 50% reduction in ergonomic recordable injuries.

(This story was originally featured on the National Safety Council’s Safety First blog.)

How to Build a Culture of Safety Through Employee Feedback

Creating a culture where employees feel safe to speak up and are rewarded for doing so requires intentional action. Here are some tactical ways to turn feedback into your strongest safety strategy:

1. Make it easy to report hazards and near-misses: Digital forms, QR codes in high-traffic areas, or quick daily check-ins with supervisors can reduce friction and normalize reporting. Consider anonymous channels for workers who may be hesitant to speak up.
2. Recognize and act on employee insights: When someone reports a risk or makes a safety suggestion, show appreciation and take visible action. Even small changes, when followed up with communication and gratitude, signal that input matters.
3. Involve employees in problem-solving: Form cross-departmental safety committees or task forces that include workers from all levels. Invite employees to help brainstorm ergonomic improvements, test new equipment, or review incident trends.
4. Track and share progress: Data should be transparent. Sharing metrics like injury reductions, cost savings, or improvements in equipment safety helps reinforce the collective impact of employee involvement.
5. Expand the definition of safety: Physical injuries are only part of the picture. Mental fatigue, long hours, and stress also contribute to safety risks. When you acknowledge and address these non-physical factors, employees see that your commitment is holistic.

Bottom Line: Employees Are Your Safety Advantage

A strong safety culture isn’t about doing more training or adding more rules, it’s about listening better. When employees are empowered to speak up and know their input leads to action, the entire organization benefits.

Your people aren’t just part of the safety equation, they are the solution. When employees feel heard, safety improves. Let our team help you create feedback-driven safety programs that protect people and your business.