How would you handle a situation where you see a colleague not following safety protocols?
Difficulty: medium • Category: Safety & Compliance
Suggested Answer
I would first approach my colleague privately and politely remind them of the safety protocol, as they might have simply forgotten. If the behavior continued, I would report it to a supervisor, as safety protocols are in place for everyone's protection. I would focus on the safety concern rather than making it personal.
STAR Method Example
While working a shift at a logistics depot, I noticed a colleague bypassing the lockout procedure on a conveyor belt to speed up a minor clearing task. They were reaching into the mechanism without isolating the power first, which was a clear violation of our safety protocol.
I needed to address the situation promptly without creating conflict, ensuring my colleague understood the seriousness of the shortcut they were taking.
I approached them privately once they had finished and said I had noticed the bypassed procedure. I kept my tone supportive rather than accusatory, explaining that I was concerned for their safety, not trying to police them. They admitted they had been rushing and appreciated the reminder. I also mentioned it to our supervisor so it could be raised as a general reminder at the next team briefing without naming anyone specifically.
My colleague corrected their approach going forward, and the supervisor used it as an anonymised example in our next safety briefing. Several team members said they appreciated the reminder. The incident reinforced my view that addressing safety concerns directly but respectfully is the right approach.
Tips
- Start with a direct, private approach
- Escalate appropriately if needed
- Focus on safety, not on blaming the individual
- Show you're willing to have difficult conversations