Marsha Bell also offers advice on integrating storytelling into safety education
In a recent interview on COS TV, Marsha Bell, shared valuable insights on challenging traditional perspectives on safety and the importance of storytelling and mentorship in the field. As a partner and principal consultant at Uplift Safety, Bell's expertise and dedication to promoting safer work environments have been recognized and celebrated.
For years, the safety industry has relied heavily on metrics such as recordable incident rates to measure success. However, Bell emphasized the potential harm caused by such metrics, leading to underreporting of incidents and creating a culture of fear within organizations. "There's a reputational risk within an organization of disclosing the fact that we hurt somebody. And it's a moral hazard really, is what it is," says Bell in the COS TV interview.
To challenge this traditional approach, Bell advocates the power of storytelling and education. By sharing the experiences and pressures faced by frontline workers, supervisors, and executives, she aims to create a better understanding of the complex dynamics influencing safety practices. "The only way to get around this is education and storytelling. So that there's an understanding and acceptance of the fact that this might not be the best way, or the only way," explains Bell.
Bell also offered valuable advice for health and safety professionals seeking to connect with frontline workers. She emphasized the importance of being an authentic listener and engaging in conversations with workers to understand their experiences and challenges. "You can be an authentic listener, you can get in front of the frontline workers, and ask them questions about what they do. They're the experts in what they do," she said, highlighting the power of genuine connections in promoting safety culture.
As a recipient of the prestigious 2023 Top Women in Safety award, Bell says mentorship holds a special place in her heart, especially when it comes to supporting young women entering male-dominated industries like safety. Drawing from her own experiences, Bell believes in offering reassurance and guidance to newcomers, helping them navigate potential imposter syndrome and challenges they might face. "I think it's important because it is predominantly male-dominated industries that I've worked in. And so it is important to have that mentorship relationship," says Bell.
