An effective safety leader embodies hard skills – in managing and delegating tasks, observing behaviours and preventing risk of workplace incidents – and soft skills – in specific character traits and emotional intelligence that establishes interpersonal connections with people.

Having strengths in both areas can make the difference between being a safety professional and a safety leader for your team.
Here is a list of soft skills that can’t be read in a textbook or learned in a classroom – they need to be naturally-embodied qualities that define you and your position as an effective safety leader.

Knowledge
To be an effective safety leader within your workplace, try to make a conscious effort to stay informed on provincial and federal regulations, policy, and procedure. Take an interest in trending safety practices and industry updates, ensure you convey this knowledge to your team and apply it to your daily tasks and responsibilities.

Communication
Effective safety leaders can use their communication skills to define employee roles, encourage employees to take their own decisions, set rules, establish internal policy, and communicate safety goals within an organization. Communication skills also allow safety leaders to increase morale and productivity effectively.

Lead by Example
When a safety leader leads by example, you create an idea of what is possible. Co-workers can look to you and feel, “If they can do it, I can do it.” Leading by example sets the tone for others in your workplace.

Accountability
Strong safety leaders hold co-workers accountable for compliance. Even though this practice does not always make you popular, effective safety leaders are there to create a safe work environment and, in turn, gain respect from their co-workers when they stand up for what is right. When people see a leader help mentor an individual’s unacceptable behavior, others feel more comfortable doing it too.

Learning and Education
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing environment, effective safety leaders always have room to improve and learn. As technology, industry practices and regulations regularly change, effective safety leaders strive to continuously upgrade their skills and knowledge.

Positivity
Effective safety leaders avoid engaging in negative conversations about safety culture. Safety leaders should engage with positive reinforcement and provide ideas for increased positive engagement in the workplace.

Respect
Effective safety leaders show respect for all levels of employees in the workplace by actively listening to ideas and concerns and providing effective communication between upper management and employees. Effective safety leaders know that respect does not come easily and must be earned and maintained.

Empathy
Effective safety leaders recognize that a compassionate workplace is a major factor in employee retention and positive engagement. Safety leaders know that empathy is listening to and understanding co-workers feelings, thoughts, and concerns. Effective safety leaders can empathize with others.

Responsibility
Effective safety leaders take responsibility when something goes wrong or a mistake is made. They learn from mistakes and take corrective actions to rectify the situation and prevent re-occurrence.

The Saskatchewan Trucking Association offers courses that cater to skills development and count as credit courses towards the Certified Transportation Safety Professional (CTSP) designation. These courses are:

Fundamentals of Investigation
This two-day course introduces a variety of basic investigative skills required to conduct basic occupational health and safety related investigations. Topics covered include scene management, evidence collection, incident documentation, cause analysis and report preparation.

Leadership in Transportation
This two-day course is designed to focus on the essential skills to be an effective leader in industry. Leadership in transportation is an important course for individuals looking to enhance their existing leadership skills, learn new techniques and best practices surrounding communication, conflict management and bringing increased value to their respective workplace.

Instructional Design and Delivery
Instructional Design and Delivery is a three-day essential course for entry-level and intermediate instructors and safety professionals looking to enhance their existing skills, learn new techniques, and bring increased value to their training programs.

To learn more, visit www.sasktrucking.com.