Employee turnover quietly drains an organization’s strength. You may not notice it every day, but it chips away at morale, productivity, and the bottom line. Replacing workers, onboarding new hires, and filling operational gaps takes time and money. In high-risk industries where occupational health and safety (OH&S) play a central role, turnover carries an even heavier cost. Every time an experienced worker leaves, you lose skill, situational awareness, and the instinctive understanding of workplace hazards that only time can build. The result? Higher risk and lower stability.
The truth is, high turnover is not just an HR problem. It’s a safety problem. Strong safety culture directly influences employee loyalty, engagement, and performance—and companies that understand this connection position themselves ahead of the competition.
When employees leave, the losses run deeper than payroll numbers. You lose the people who know your systems inside and out—the workers who understand your hazards, your controls, and the safe way to get the job done. Every departure leaves a knowledge gap that increases risk. The Campbell Institute’s research found that voluntary turnover has measurable implications for safety outcomes: higher injury rates, more operational disruptions, and weaker hazard control. (https://www.thecampbellinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Research-Outlook_Campbell-Institute_Employee-Turnover_CE.pdf)
Beyond safety, high turnover drives costs in recruitment, training, and downtime. BrightHR estimates that replacing a single employee can cost up to twice their annual salary when lost productivity is included. And there’s a reputational impact: when candidates see constant churn, they assume something’s wrong.
From a safety standpoint, the danger compounds. New hires are statistically more likely to be injured on the job because they’re unfamiliar with processes and hazards. When turnover spikes, the ratio of inexperienced to experienced workers shifts, and incident rates follow. In short—turnover and safety performance are tightly linked.
Safety culture is more than slogans on posters. It’s how people actually behave, talk, and think about safety every day. It’s how leaders demonstrate care, how supervisors enforce standards, and how workers trust management to have their backs. When people see that safety is more than lip service, they stay.
Studies prove the connection. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that employees who perceive their workplace as safe, supportive, and respectful are dramatically more likely to remain with their employer. (https://www.shrm.org/executive-network/insights/shrm-report-workplace-culture-fosters-employee-retention) Research from “Under the Hard Hat” shows that companies with strong safety cultures see 24% to 59% lower turnover than those with weak or reactive safety environments. (https://underthehardhat.org/why-safety-culture-should-be-a-priority-for-worker-retention/)
When safety is genuine, trust grows. And when trust grows, retention follows. People don’t leave workplaces where they feel valued, safe, and heard.
A thriving safety culture drives retention and recruitment in several practical ways. When workers feel physically and psychologically safe, they’re more loyal. When they see leadership actively engaging in safety, they’re more committed. And when they know they can speak up without fear, they’re more invested.
Safety culture builds retention through:
Safety culture also fosters psychological safety—the ability to speak up about risks without fear of blame. Teams that operate under psychological safety are stronger, more creative, and less likely to hide problems. Those are the conditions that keep people around for the long term.
Retention doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through structure, consistency, and communication. The first step is to evaluate your existing safety culture. Conduct a survey or assessment that asks employees how they perceive leadership commitment, hazard reporting, and follow-up. If your workforce believes management doesn’t act on concerns, you have a cultural issue—not just a compliance one.
Once you have data, start closing the gaps. Build leadership visibility into your daily operations—safety walkarounds, toolbox talks, and open-door communication go further than slogans. Make it easy for workers to report hazards. Recognize people who speak up. Reward teams that achieve safety milestones. And integrate safety culture into your recruitment messaging. Talk about it in job postings. Highlight it in interviews. Let candidates see that your commitment to safety isn’t for show—it’s who you are.
The modern workforce is more discerning than ever. Job seekers evaluate employers not only by pay and benefits but by how they treat their people. A visible, credible safety culture signals stability and care—two of the most powerful magnets for talent. If your company demonstrates real commitment to employee wellbeing, word spreads fast. Workers want to join companies that value them, and they stay longer when they feel protected and respected.
At Calgary Safety Consultants (https://calgarysafetyconsultants.ca), we help organizations build and sustain safety cultures that reduce turnover, improve engagement, and attract quality talent. We don’t offer theory—we help you make safety part of your business DNA.
We provide:
As an OH&S consultant, I’ve seen organizations treat safety and retention as separate worlds—and that’s a costly mistake. Safety culture is the connective tissue between operations, HR, and leadership. When it’s strong, it stabilizes everything else. Companies that make safety personal—not procedural—are the ones people want to work for. In Alberta’s competitive labour market, safety culture is more than a compliance tool; it’s a recruitment advantage.
The companies that will thrive over the next decade are those that make safety culture a brand, not a burden. When you invest in your people’s safety and wellbeing, you’re investing in their loyalty, performance, and pride. That’s how you turn retention from a challenge into a strength. And furthermore, these are the clients I enjoy working with the best.
Employee turnover isn’t inevitable—it’s a reflection of culture. A strong safety culture builds trust, engagement, and stability. It reduces risk, attracts better talent, and saves money by keeping experienced workers where they belong. More importantly, it sends a message that your company values its people.
If your organization is ready to shift from reaction to retention, Calgary Safety Consultants can help. We specialize in aligning safety, culture, and people strategy so you can build a workforce that stays, grows, and thrives. Visit https://calgarysafetyconsultants.ca to learn how we can help you turn safety culture into your strongest recruitment and retention tool.
Connect with us here and let us help you improve your OH&S practices.
Because a safer workplace starts with smarter policy. Let's build it together.
It helps reduce workplace incidents, builds employee trust, and ensures leadership actively promotes safety beyond just compliance. It also supports legal due diligence under provincial OH&S laws.
A strong safety culture increases trust and engagement, reduces workplace incidents, and improves job satisfaction. Employees who feel safe and valued are more likely to stay, decreasing turnover rates.
Candidates are drawn to companies with a reputation for prioritizing worker health and safety. A positive safety culture shows commitment to employee well-being, helping attract top talent in competitive labour markets.
Conduct safety culture assessments, involve leadership in safety activities, encourage open hazard reporting, integrate safety in onboarding, and recognize employees who contribute to safe work practices.
Calgary Safety Consultants is here to help you ensure compliance, enhance safety, and streamline your OH&S program. Don’t wait—fill out the form, and we’ll connect with you to discuss how we can support your business. Let’s get started!
Calgary Safety Consultants delivers game-changing COR Audits and OH&S consulting designed to keep your business safe, compliant, and accident-free. With 30+ years of expertise in high-risk industries like oil & gas, construction, and manufacturing, we understand the unique challenges you face. We offer tailored safety solutions that not only meet regulatory standards but also reduce operational risks and protect your workforce. From conducting thorough safety audits to implementing comprehensive safety management systems, we ensure your team is fully supported. Our hands-on, collaborative approach means we're with you every step of the way, helping you achieve a safer, more efficient workplace. Let us handle the heavy lifting so your team stays protected, and your business thrives!
