Safety+Health Magazine Shares Reader Advice for New Safety Pros

Safety+Health Magazine published additional responses from its State of Safety survey on advice for new safety and health professionals on August 24, 2026, after sharing some responses with the original survey results the prior year.

Field Presence and Employee Interaction

The magazine states that the biggest responsibility in the profession is to get out and talk with employees, hear their stories, and ask them about hazards they deal with each day. It notes this is not a job to sit at a desk, although at times professionals will. According to Safety+Health Magazine, decisions should not always fall on safety’s shoulders and require involving as many areas of the business as possible so everyone feels they play a part.

Building Buy-In and Addressing Concerns

The publication reports that if an employee comes with a concern, it must be addressed or followed up with specifics, because employees will quit asking if nothing gets accomplished. It advises obtaining management buy-in for incremental changes that reduce risk rather than letting the idea of perfection stand in the way of partial improvements. The magazine adds to start with the most severe and immediate risks first and states that listening is very important because professionals are not always right and can learn from one another.

Soft Skills, Learning, and Perspective

Safety+Health Magazine states that soft skills are more important than the ability to regurgitate safety standards, because if managers and employees do not like, listen to, or trust a professional, what they know will not matter. It recommends taking small bits, choosing battles, and helping people identify solutions without making them feel forced. The source notes that safety is a lifelong learning career that is constantly changing and evolving, and professionals should take as many online training courses and webinars as possible. It adds that it is acceptable to recognize not everyone sees the same value in safety responsibilities, and professionals must see both production and management sides to effect change.

Networking and Conviction

The magazine states to network and get involved with professional organizations while maintaining passion about convictions. It advises not doing the job for a paycheck but because one cares about the company and crews.