5 Early Warning Signs Your Safety Program Is Failing (And How to Fix Them Before It’s Too Late)
A well-run safety program doesn’t just check boxes—it actively protects people. But even experienced companies can miss the signs that their safety program is starting to slide off course. By the time an injury or OSHA citation brings the problem to light, it's already too late. At Vanguard EHS, we believe early intervention is the key to a strong safety culture. Here are five warning signs that your program might be in trouble—and what to do about them.
1. Near Misses Are Increasing—But No Action Is Taken
Near misses are your early warning system. If they’re happening more frequently and no corrective actions are being implemented, your organization is operating on borrowed time. This is especially true if those events aren’t being documented or followed up on.
Fix it:
Create a simple reporting process that makes it easy for workers to log near misses. Assign responsibility for follow-up actions and review trends in your regular safety meetings. If needed, consider an external review to assess root causes.
2. Supervisors Are Focused on Production—Not Safety
If frontline supervisors are more concerned with output than with enforcing safety practices, that priority trickles down. Employees take their cues from the boss—and if safety isn't a clear expectation, it won't be a behavior.
Fix it:
Train supervisors on their role as safety leaders. Give them measurable safety KPIs and hold them accountable in the same way you would for quality or efficiency.
3. Toolbox Talks Have Become a “Check-the-Box” Exercise
If toolbox talks are being rushed, copied and pasted, or skipped entirely, your team knows it. And if the people leading them don’t believe they’re valuable, neither will the people listening.
Fix it:
Make toolbox talks relevant. Use real examples from recent events in your own workplace or industry. Ask for feedback and participation. Short, meaningful, and interactive sessions build trust and retention.
4. Your Incident Rate Suddenly Improves… But Nothing Changed
A sudden drop in incident reports without any new controls, training, or engineering changes isn’t a win—it’s a red flag. It often means people have stopped reporting, not that the problems are gone.
Fix it:
Dig into reporting data and cross-check with near misses, first-aid logs, or safety observations. Encourage anonymous reporting if trust is low, and reaffirm your company’s commitment to safety over blame.
5. Employees Have Stopped Speaking Up
If your team isn’t raising concerns, asking questions, or suggesting improvements, you may have a disengaged or fearful workforce. Silence doesn’t mean safety—it often means they’ve stopped believing anyone is listening.
Fix it:
Foster psychological safety. Act on feedback quickly. Recognize workers who raise concerns. When employees feel heard, they’re far more likely to stay involved in improving safety.
Final Thoughts
Small cracks in your safety program can grow into major failures if ignored. These warning signs are subtle, but they’re fixable—especially when caught early. Whether you’re a small business without a dedicated safety pro or a seasoned EHS manager with too much on your plate, Vanguard EHS can help you take stock and get back on track.
Need a fresh look at your program?
Let’s talk. Vanguard EHS specializes in helping growing businesses build safety systems that actually work
