The Power of Speaking Up

What is The Power of Speaking Up?

Speaking up about safety concerns is a critical behavior that prevents accidents and fosters a proactive safety culture. It involves voicing observations, asking questions, and addressing risks before they escalate into incidents.

Key Components

1. Recognizing Unsafe Situations

• Notice potential hazards or risky behaviors
• Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it likely is

2. Overcoming Barriers to Speaking Up

• Address fear of conflict or retaliation
• Clarify uncertainty about whether a concern is valid

3. Effective Communication

• Use clear, respectful language
• Focus on the situation or behavior, not the individual

Building Your Safety Mindset

1. Cultivate Courage

   • Remind yourself that speaking up can save lives
   • Practice addressing small concerns to build confidence

2. Support Others

   • Encourage teammates to share their concerns
   • Thank colleagues who speak up to reinforce the behavior

3. Lead by Example

   • Model the behavior you want to see in others
   • Share personal experiences of speaking up

Discussion Points

1. What stops you from speaking up about safety concerns?
2. How can we create an environment where everyone feels safe to voice issues?
3. Share a time when speaking up prevented an incident—what happened?

Action Steps

• Identify one safety concern you've noticed but haven't reported
• Speak up about it to a supervisor or colleague
• Encourage a teammate to share their safety observations
• Reflect on how speaking up made a difference