Podcast: Creating a safer workplace with DEI and psychological safety

Adrienne Selko is senior editor at EHS Today and Material Handling & Logistics. Previously, she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. Adrienne received a bachelor's of business administration from the University of Michigan. In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Adrienne explores the importance of psychological safety in industrial workplaces, and how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is critical to occupational safety and health.

Below is an excerpt from the podcast:

Discussions on the efficacy and importance of DEI in the workplace have reached a fever pitch. While the conversations on DEI are partially centered on politics, there is a fair amount of soul-searching by companies about how important these policies are. However, from a safety standpoint—viewing DEI as the foundation of psychological safety—these policies stand up to scrutiny.

What is necessary is for companies to clearly understand the link between psychological safety and a safer workplace in general. There are many ways to link psychological safety to physical safety. One of the common measurements is in terms of engagement.

“Workers often feel they can trust [EHS] professionals to listen, offer support and advocate for them,” explained Kimberly Gamble, director of Andersen Construction’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy and Leadership program, as part of a discussion on DEI facilitated by The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). “With this trust, we can create teams that work collaboratively to not only improve physical safety but also psychological safety.”