Getting Buy-In and Engaging Field Teams in Safety
- Koal
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
Health and Safety (H&S) is not just about policies and checklists. It is about people, and if your field teams are not on board, even the best procedures will not be followed consistently. Engaging field teams in safety, and getting buy-in means your crew understands the “why” behind requirements and feels ownership over keeping themselves and others safe. Without it, compliance can become a box-ticking exercise instead of a shared responsibility.
The Challenge in the Field
Field teams often work under time pressure, in challenging conditions, and across varied sites. They may see H&S processes as an extra layer of paperwork rather than as tools that protect them. Common barriers to buy-in include:
Perceived irrelevance, requirements that do not seem to fit the work reality
Poor communication, not knowing why a rule exists or when it applies
Lack of involvement, decisions made without input from the people doing the work
Overly complex processes, forms and checklists that feel cumbersome in the field
Engaging Field Teams in Safety
Getting buy-in requires shifting the approach from compliance to collaboration. Here is how:
Explain the “Why” Clearly
Use real examples from your own operations, such as near misses, incidents, and success stories where H&S measures prevented harm. Relatable stories connect the dots between policy and personal safety.
Simplify and Align with Workflows
Ensure that H&S tools such as SWMS, risk assessments, and pre-start checklists fit into the team’s natural work rhythm, rather than feeling like a separate task.
Involve Field Teams Early
Ask for their feedback when introducing new requirements. Field crews can identify hazards and practical controls others may overlook.
Recognise and Reinforce
Celebrate safe work practices publicly. This reinforces positive behaviour and builds a culture where safety is part of the team’s identity.
Lead by Example
Supervisors and managers need to model the behaviour they expect. A “do as I do” approach holds far more weight than “do as I say.”
How Koal Helps Build Engagement
At Koal, we design training and compliance tools with both operational and human factors in mind. Our services help you get field teams on board by:
Tailoring content to reflect real-life scenarios from your industry so requirements feel relevant
Providing mobile-friendly learning for crews on the go, ensuring safety information is always accessible
Integrating compliance tracking into one central platform, so teams spend less time hunting for documents and more time getting the job done
Supporting H&S leadership with practical resources like SWMS templates, risk registers, and contractor management tools
By making safety requirements practical, clear, and connected to everyday work, we help you move from compliance as a rulebook to safety as a shared value.
Getting buy-in from field teams is not a one-off task. It is an ongoing conversation. When workers understand the “why,” have a say in the “how,” and see leadership modelling the “what,” safety culture becomes part of the job, not an add-on.
Want to boost your team’s H&S engagement? Talk to Koal today about training, tools, and support that work for your people.
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