Coaching communication tools

Here are nine tools to help you communicate effectively as you coach employees to work safely.

* Give feedback one on one and in private.
* Try to communicate with the employee immediately after you observe the behavior.
* Start with positive statements about what the employee did safely.
* Be objective when discussing risky behavior – focus on actions, not your feelings about the actions.
* After stating what you observe, listen to what the employee has to say.
* If you sense the employee is making excuses, don’t argue, just move on.
* Problem-solve together to find ways to increase safe actions.
* If you find barriers to safe behavior that can’t be handled right away, do the best you can right now and speak to the supervisor about them later.
* A reward for safe behavior helps make sure it happens again.