Why is it important to report safety hazards at your workplace?
Table of Contents
How Reporting Hazards Improves Workplace Safety
Why employees avoid reporting workplace safety hazards
Training employees to recognize and report safety hazards
What to include in a workplace hazard report form
Top reasons employees should report safety hazards
What happens when safety hazards are unreported
How to encourage safety hazard reporting in the workplace
How Reporting Hazards Improves Workplace Safety
All it takes is one hazard. Therefore, it is the employer’s responsibility to provide the channels and opportunities for its employees to easily report any safety hazards that could harm the organization’s staff. Many workers, for a number of reasons, (because they are busy or afraid to speak up) do not report safety hazards that are currently a threat to employees or could be down the road and can be proactively addressed. In fact, researchers are finding that more and more workers are underreporting crucial information to employers such as workplace injuries and illnesses.
The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) recommends hazard reporting, including near-misses which do not cause injury or damage at work. The CCOHS recommends identifying the near-misses as opportunities to spot areas for improvement and prevent a similar incident from occurring again.
However, more and more employees in all industries are beginning to speak up and report safety hazards in their workplace. For example, workplace safety hazards for hospitality and hotel workers are finally being taken seriously with many US states implementing mandatory panic button devices for these people who experience harassment regularly.
Why employees avoid reporting workplace safety hazards
What these studies reveal is troubling. Troubling because statistically, about half your team is not willing to report safety issues that, when addressed and taken care of, can prevent injuries and save lives.
So why don’t employees report incidents and potential safety hazards? The reasons can sometimes be both personal and professional, making the issue a complex one, but definitely solvable. Overall, employees won’t report safety hazards because:
The employee does not feel the hazard is their responsibility because it doesn’t affect them.
It is a company/work culture where employees do not feel comfortable enough to voice their safety concerns with fear of repercussions.
There is pressure and tight deadlines to get work/projects done.
In the past when a safety hazard was reported, nothing or not much was done about it.
Training employees to recognize and report safety hazards
Safety hazard reporting is not just a quick email or conversation. Hazard recognition and reporting may require some training and education, depending on which industry you’re in. But regardless of how you implement hazard reporting, make sure that your form includes the following five key points of information – but customize to your organizational needs as well.
What to include in a workplace hazard report form
When and where the safety hazard was reported.
Any relevant information related to the hazard using text and photos.
If there was an injury and what medical attention it required.
Steps/action plan to mitigate or eliminate the safety hazard.
Control measures in place to prevent future accidents
Top reasons employees should report safety hazards
Overall, it is obvious that any one of the six types of workplace safety hazards should regularly be reported by employees. However, there are specific reasons for this reporting that make it even more necessary for all parties and individuals involved.
Raises awareness
We’re going to start with the obvious reason in that when employees report safety hazards, particularly physical safety hazards, they’re identifying the dangers of your workplace. Safety hazards can be identified through safety hazard assessments and emergency response plans, however, the best and most effective strategy is to rely on the eyes, ears, and noses of those working in the actual workspace. Employees in different roles will see things that are not captured in regular safety assessments.
Prevents a pattern
The last problem you want to have in the workplace is a recurring pattern of accidents occurring until an employee gets hurt or worse. When employees report safety hazards, it empowers managers and employers to “nip the problem in the bud,” directly addressing the root issues that are causing these hazards. Having said that, it can also identify existing patterns so you can analyze trends and develop strategies to stop these trends and patterns.
Provides a big picture of workplace safety
Because those impacted by the safety hazards are reporting them from different roles and perspectives, managers and employers are provided with a big, accurate, and up-to-date picture of the team’s safety. This is valuable because it provides you with a broader view of what the safety needs are for your team as well as how dangerous their work is or can be.
Promotes a strong work and safety culture
With employees feeling comfortable enough to regularly report safety hazards, the habit and practice encourage a strong and cohesive work and safety culture amongst the team. This is important because when you have such an open culture and everyone is on the same page, the work environment becomes significantly safer and more secure. When people feel safe, they tend to perform and produce better work because they don’t worry as much about their well-being.
Prevents litigation and lawsuits
Having a work culture where employees can openly report and discuss safety issues will protect both the people and the organization from possible litigation and lawsuits. Such a culture will help show the company is doing its due diligence to protect its employees, addressing and mitigating any safety issues as they are reported.
Increases worker wellness
On top of all of these reasons, a strong safety culture where your people report safety hazards will also result in more engaged, happier workers – there are multiple wins. Working within such a culture, employees are happier knowing everyone has each other’s back, as well as peace of mind that safety is a priority.
What happens when safety hazards are unreported
Neglecting to report workplace safety hazards can lead to serious consequences for both employees and employers. Unaddressed hazards increase the risk of workplace injuries, illnesses, and even fatalities, resulting in damaging medical expenses, lost productivity, and legal liabilities.
Over the long term, ignoring occupational safety concerns can damage employee morale, erode organizational trust, and create a culture of fear and silence. In some cases, companies can face fines or lawsuits for non-compliance with occupational health and safety regulations. However, by encouraging and supporting proactive hazard reporting, employers can prevent accidents and work injuries, protect their workforce, and maintain compliance with important safety standards.
How to encourage safety hazard reporting in the workplace
So, it’s clear that if you feel that your team is not reporting safety hazards or are hesitant or afraid to do so, as a manager and employer, help support them now. It only takes one mistake or omission of detail for an employee to get hurt - such as not clearing a walkway at work where people can experience slip and fall injuries. These seemingly innocuous details could be a major problem and accident if not addressed so encourage – and even reward – those who speak up about safety.
Encouraging employees to report safety hazards is vital for maintaining a safe work environment. Utilize our Lone Worker Safety Solution App to streamline reporting processes, explore our pricing options, and gain insights on Workplace Hazards. Visit our FAQ page for more information, discover the benefits of our solutions, and check out the latest lone worker safety devices.
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Lone Worker FAQs
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SafetyLine offers a mobile-friendly Lone Worker Safety App that allows employees to quickly report hazards with photos, descriptions, and location data—streamlining the process and ensuring timely action.
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SafetyLine helps organizations meet occupational health and safety standards by documenting hazard reports, incident responses, and control measures—all in one secure platform.
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Industries with remote or high-risk workers—such as construction, hospitality, utilities, and healthcare—benefit greatly from SafetyLine’s real-time reporting and monitoring features.
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By making hazard reporting simple and accessible, SafetyLine empowers employees to speak up, promotes transparency, and fosters a proactive safety-first culture across the organization.