Supervisors bear the responsibility of correcting employees who use poor safety practices. Knowing how to deliver an effective critique of an employee's unsafe behavior is critical. Here are a few pointers on how to talk with an employee about unsafe practices.

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1. Take note of the good first: Positive reinforcement generally works best for achieving desired workplace behaviors. When you see employees working safely, give them positive feedback about what they're doing right and express honest appreciation.

2. Don't critique on the fly: Yelling out to employees on the line as you're walking by won't result in the issue being corrected. First, employees may not hear you. Second, it's easy for them to ignore what you've said as you continue on your way. If it's something that needs to be corrected immediately (like working with a missing machine guard), pull the employee aside for a discussion. If it's something that can wait, note the situation and address it at a time when you and the employee can both focus on the issue.

3. Critique in private: Embarrassing an employee in front of his or her co-workers will not improve safety compliance. Instead of calling out to an employee or critiquing behavior in a group, take the employee aside to discuss unsafe practices.

4. Involve the employee: Simply telling an employee what to do when you notice an unsafe behavior will correct that specific instance of behavior. The goal, however, is to build long-term safe behaviors. Discuss with the employee what you saw and your concern, soliciting feedback about what the employee could have done differently that would result in a safer work situation. If the employee appears to be missing the point, provide direction or insight into the correct behavior.

5. Listen empathetically, but hold your ground: An employee may feel that extenuating circumstances justified the unsafe work behavior. You should listen empathetically ("I understand what you're saying."), but don't allow excuses for unsafe practices. And if circumstances beyond the employee's control truly did produce the unsafe behavior—for example, the proper personal protective equipment wasn't available—correct the issue immediately.

6. Gain commitment: Getting an employee to commit to using safe work practices ("Can I count on you to do that from now on?") helps lock in the behavior.

7. Follow up: After a few days, follow up on your initial discussion by observing the employee to see if the unsafe practice is continuing. If you note that the employee has improved, provide positive feedback about what he or she is doing correctly.

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