stacey head shot edited e1603428033548

By: Stacey Godbold

In collaboration with Drew Hinton, CSP, CHMM, EMT

Top 25 Questions for your EHS Perception Survey

Last month I began my ‘perception vs reality in safety’ series. There I asked if you have gathered safety culture data.

In that blog I wrote,  “Your assumptions could be right on and your team could feel safe reporting near misses, observations, unsafe conditions, as well as asking for help or understanding about substance abuse or mental health issues.  However, what if your assumptions and the data do not align?”

Well, let’s find out!

Top 25 Questions

Below are 25 great questions for your 2021 EHS Perception Survey. If you have a survey and it hasn’t been updated in a few years – give this one a try. Now more than ever, EHS is increasing awareness around mental health and substance abuse. These topics are threaded into these questions giving you a forward thinking look into your cultural environment.

How to Create Your Own

To use this survey, copy/paste the questions. Add your logo to the graphic, and wah lah;  you have created your organization’s custom survey.

Here are two survey platforms that I have used and like:
Google forms – free, easy to use with clean data
SurveyMonkey- paid service, customizable

EHS survey header
  1. What is your job role?
    Management (Company Manager, Supervisor, Foreman, etc.)
    Non-Management
  2.  If I make a mistake, it is held against me.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  3. Employees at my company are able to bring up problems and tough issues.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  4. I am not afraid to speak up when I feel something is ethically, morally, and/or legally wrong.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  5. If you do not speak up in certain situations, why not? (check all that apply)
    -Speaking up brings career consequences (e.g., being fired, transferred, or any other form of retaliation)
    -Fear of insulting/offending someone higher up in the
    company by implying that the current systems or
    processes are problematic
    -I don’t feel comfortable speaking up unless I have solid
    data.
    -I feel intimidated when my supervisor or company
    management is present
    -I don’t want to look or feel “stupid”
    -I feel a sense of futility (in other words, “it won’t matter
    anyway; why bother?”)
    -Fear of damaging a relationship
    -N/A
  6. My immediate supervisor demonstrates their commitment to safety by leading by example.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  7. If I bring up an EHS concern to company management, I feel that my concern is made a high priority.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  8. When I bring up an EHS concern or suggestion to company management, they always keep me updated on the current status of it.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  9. If I was committing an unsafe act that could result in me becoming injured/ill, I expect my coworkers to speak up and say something to me.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  10. If I was committing an unsafe act that could result in me becoming injured/ill, I expect my coworkers to speak up and say something to me.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  11. I openly listen to suggestions on how to remain safe at work, even if it’s coming from someone I don’t like or work well with.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  12. Upon starting with the company, I was properly trained before being assigned to a job/task.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  13. Overall, how satisfied are you with your company’s training program?
    Satisfied
    Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
    Dissatisfied
  14. My company uses job safety analysis (JSAs) on all jobs.
    True
    False
  15. I will not perform a work activity unless I know it is safe.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  16. My coworkers will take unnecessary risks to complete a task.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  17. I will take unnecessary risks to complete a task.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  18. If I see a coworker committing an unsafe act, I will always speak up and try to correct it.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  19. If you do not normally speak up when you see other coworkers committing unsafe acts, why not? (Pick your top reason)
    -I feel it’s not my responsibility
    -I feel they should learn from their mistakes
    -I’m afraid of confrontation
    -I don’t want to cause conflict
    -I’m not sure of how to correct the issue, so I choose to not say anything.
    -N/A
    -Other (please specify)
  20. I feel that EHS is a top priority at my company.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  21. I know how to report injuries/illnesses, close calls, and EHS violations.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  22. I am encouraged to report injuries/illnesses, close calls, unsafe behaviors, and EHS violations in my workplace without fear of retaliation.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  23. Accidents, incidents, and close calls are investigated quickly in order to improve workplace health and safety at my company.
    Agree
    Neither agree nor disagree
    Disagree
  24. Do you consider your company a safe place for someone to come forward about substance abuse?
    Yes
    No
  25. Do you consider your company a safe place for someone to come forward about struggling with mental health?
    Yes
    No

Power in Data

There’s power in this data. Rather than being scared of what you might find, assume there will be opportunities for growth. We can change behaviors, technologies, and processes within our organizations. Don’t wait to be your best.

Learn More About Sospes