Taking responsibility for safety
A common challenge for managers is getting employees to report problems. One factor may be a concept called “diffusion of responsibility,” also called the bystander effect. Within groups of people, no single person feels obligated to report a concern. Each individual assumes that someone else will handle it, or notices that no one else is addressing it and assumes the issue must not be serious.
Individuals need not be part of a crowd for this effect to occur, but the larger the group, the less likely that any individual feels responsible. The bystander effect can impact anyone, including employees. However, there are ways to overcome it.
Training can help. Individuals with the knowledge to recognize a problem and the skills to address it, and who understand the importance of reporting problems, are more likely to take action. Training employees in hazard recognition would be an example.
Another factor is seeing others do the right thing. When one person takes action, others are more likely to do so. For example, if your company hosts a voluntary blood drive, individuals who sign up might inspire others to do so. Similarly, if someone reports a hazard (and gets positive recognition for doing so), others are more likely to report future concerns.
Personal experience can also play a role. A person who slipped on a wet floor may be more likely to report the hazard, taking responsibility to protect others.
Encouraging teamwork can also help. Team efforts can sometimes contribute to a diffusion of responsibility, but workers who understand that they are responsible for their own safety can apply that sense of responsibility to their team members. Then, they’ll start watching out for each other.
