Staff who took our Safety Pledge by promising their commitment to “Be aware… Take Care!”, received a special yellow Safety Star lanyard to identify themselves as Safety Stars.

As a Safety Star, team members have input into decision making, and involvement in workplace inspections and risk assessments. Safety Stars have a voice and know their ideas are valued, which achieves increased morale and engagement. The Safety Stars are more likely to take initiative and have a stronger commitment to workplace safety.

Safety Stars are involved in the orientation of new team members to Gemstone, creating that safety culture right from the beginning by demonstrating the importance of safety in the day-to-day tasks, inspiring the new team members to “Be aware…Take care”. Safety Stars also have leverage to act on unsafe incidents they witness with their peers, giving them an opportunity to teach in the moment without it coming across as a peer criticizing or correcting. We encourage Safety Stars to recognize safe acts just as much as they call out unsafe acts, keeping their role positive and encouraging.

In the first few months of launching the program, about 10% of our staff became Safety Stars. Our goal is 100%. We’ve had team members come forward and enthusiastically ask, “How do I become a Safety Star? I want a yellow lanyard, and to be an active part of this safety culture!”. We are creating energy and excitement.