Welcome to 2024! Did you set any New Year’s Resolutions? Love ‘em or hate ‘em, you might be surprised to learn that resolutions have a place at work.

As we flip the calendar, our resolutions to better ourselves or our performance don’t have to be limited to our personal lives. After all, we spend around 30% of our days at work. But with limited resources and competing priorities, how do we avoid setting lofty, unrealistic goals that end up gathering dust? Here are 4 achievable goals to elevate your workplace and prioritize wellbeing in 2024:

1. Tame the Top 10: OSHA's "Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards" is a goldmine. Download it, analyze your own practices, and address any potential non-compliances proactively. Training, signage, and PPE can be your allies.
2. Speak Up, Stand Out: Foster a culture of open communication around safety. Encourage everyone, from new hires to veterans, to report hazards.
3. Bite-Sized Training=Big Impact: Consider an alternative to marathon safety sessions. Instead, implement micro-learning modules focused on specific tasks or risks (i.e.: toolbox talks). Short, targeted bursts are likely to increase knowledge retention and engagement.
4. Nip Near Misses in the Bud: Accidents rarely happen in isolation. Near misses are often early warning signs, yet they often go unreported. In 2024, make near miss reporting a priority. Encourage employees to readily share these close calls, no matter how minor, and use them as learning opportunities. Analyze these incidents, identify common threads, and implement proactive measures to address them before they escalate.

Embrace continuous improvement, celebrate victories, and watch your workplace become a haven of health and well-being.

Bonus Tip: Get everyone involved! Form or reignite a safety committee with representatives from different departments to share perspectives and drive collaborative action.