Safety Quote of the Day
Is your team suffering from a severe case of meetingitis? Find your safety quote of the day and share it with colleagues! As meeting ice breakers or in PowerPoint presentations, these inspirational quotes on safety in the workplace will get you out of the boring meetings routine.
Getting the word out on safety in the workplace
In every warehouse, talking about safety is a must. Keeping your employees in the loop—whether about equipment handling, emergency procedures, or ergonomics—not only helps protect their health and well-being and prevent accidents but also fosters a culture of trust while boosting productivity. In other words, when workers feel safe, they’re more likely to do a good job.
Still, holding people’s attention to this subject can be a challenge. To help you inspire your employees and spark team conversations on safety, we’ve compiled a list of motivational quotes related to key topics in safety at work. Consider using any of these quotes as a jumping-off point for an engaging discussion with your staff!
Safety Quotes categories:
- Workplace safety quotes
- Inspirational safety quotes
- Employee safety quotes
- Funny safety quotes
- Famous / Celebrity safety quotes
- Warehouse safety quotes
- Mental health and well-being safety quotes
- Fire safety and prevention quotes
- Forklift safety quotes
- Disaster recovery safety quotes
- Rack safety quotes
Quotes on safety culture in the workplace
Building a strong company safety culture requires setting high safety standards and encouraging employee participation and accountability when it comes to upholding these standards. In a workplace with a strong safety culture, an employee will feel comfortable speaking up when they see something that doesn’t look safe—and this is vital in preventing accidents and identifying safety breaches. Here are our favorite workplace safety quotes:
“Ask the people who work in the warehouse to start thinking about safety, and on a regular, periodic basis, review and discuss how they might work better. I encourage people to put a meeting on a calendar, once a month, at least to come together for an hour or 90 minutes to discuss ideas for improvement.”
— Joseph Flahiff, author of “Being Agile in a Waterfall World: A practical guide for complex organizations.”
“Prepare and prevent, don’t repair and repent.”
— Author unknown
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
— Benjamin Franklin
“The future of the safety movement is not so much dependent upon the invention of safety devices as on the improvement of methods of educating people to the ideal of caution and safety.”
— Walter Dill Scott
“Every accident is a notice that something is wrong with men, methods, or material. Investigate—then act.”
— Author unknown
"If the owner or manager does not show an interest in preventing employee injury and illness, then the employees will probably not give it much thought either.”
— Rhode Island Small Business Recovery Program
"Deterrence itself is not a preeminent value; the primary values are safety and morality.”
— Herman Kahn
"Safety work is today recognized as an economic necessity. It is the study of the right way to do things.”
— Robert W. Campbell
"I do care a great deal about the environment. Still, my real work and my greatest challenge are trying to overcome deceits that end up jeopardizing public health and safety.”
— Erin Brockovich
"Safety is 30%. Common Sense, 80%. Compliance and the rest is good luck.”
— Barry Spud
"Better a thousand times careful than once dead.”
— Author unknown
"Safety has to be everyone’s responsibility… Everyone needs to know that they are empowered to speak up if there’s an issue.”
— Captain Scott Kelly
"If you put good people in bad systems, you get bad results. You have to water the flowers you want to grow.”
— Stephen Covey
"Safety is never ‘attained’ but a work in progress in tension between ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practible) and the Precautionary Principle.”
— Rob Long
"Save lives, from the workplace to anyplace.”
— Author unknown
"The real enemy of safety is not non-compliance but non-thinking.”
— Rob Long
"Safety First is Safety Always.”
— Charles Melville Hays
"Not responding is a response - we are equally responsible for what we don't do.”
— Jonathan Safran Foer
"Safety is our first concern, not deadlines. Nothing will happen until everything is ready, and we’re absolutely confident. This will be a safe operation.”
— Mikhail Manin
"A great safety culture: when people continue to work safely, and do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
— Author unknown
"The outcome of safety is the sum of decisions and actions of the individuals in a workplace.”
— Author unknown
"Let’s manage safety recognizing how humans are and stop managing safety the way we wish humans were.”
— Author unknown
"Your employees learn by example. If they don’t see you practising good safety habits, they won’t think safety is important.”
— Electrical Construction & Maintenance
"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
— Author unknown
"If you are the proprietor or managing director of a company, you are ultimately responsible for the health and safety in all aspects of the business.”
— Author unknown
Inspirational quotes and motivational quotes on workplace safety
Looking for ideas on how to improve safety in your workplace? What best way to inspire your staff than by sharing workplace motivation quotes? Use positive quotes in your presentations, create posters, and share them on your company's private Facebook page. Employees must be inspired and regularly reminded of workplace safety rules.
"Safety first, progress must. Every day is a safety day; safety has no holiday. Life is rare; live with care.”
— Author Unknown
"Safety does not come with luck. It has to be prepared.”
— Author Unknown
"Safety is never a permanent state of affairs.”
— Davos Seaworth
"Safety doesn’t happen by accident.”
— Jerry Smith
"Our motto is to work for peace based on social justice. Our mandate is to improve the condition, health and safety of workers, and our mission is universal.”
— David A. Morse
"Work safely today. Remember, somebody expects you home tonight.”
— Author unknown
"Safety applies with equal force to the individual, to the family, to the employer, to the state, the nation and to international affairs. Safety, in its widest sense, concerns the happiness, contentment and freedom of mankind.”
— William M. Jeffers
"It is my sincere wish and hope that the day will come when the protecting arms of Universal Safety will spread out over all industry and reach all the millions of workers who make industry possible.”
— Charles M. Schwab
"There’s no better policy in society than pursuing the health and safety of its people.”
— Ralph Nader
"Tomorrow: your reward for working safely today.”
— Robert Pelton
"People don’t care what you know until they know you care.”
— Corrie Pitzer
"Occupational safety and health are vital to the dignity of work.”
— Juan Somavia
Quotes on employee safety
These quotes get to the heart of why workplace safety is vital: a business is only as good as its people. This is the reason the largest warehouses and distribution centers in North America have stringent safety standards: employees need to feel safe and comfortable to do their best work, and employers are required by law to provide a safe work environment. Use these quotes to remind your workers that their safety will always be your top priority.
“Working safely may get old, but so do those who practice it.”
— Author unknown
“The safety of the people shall be the highest law.”
— Marcus Tullius Cicero
“How employees manage health and safety in the workplace or how labor rights are respected are issues important for employees and investors alike. Companies can, and should, do good right alongside doing well.”
— Tim Smith
“You are your last line of defense in safety. It boils down to you.”
— Kina Repp
“Safety is not an intellectual exercise to keep us in work. It is a matter of our contributions to safety management that determines whether the people we work with live or die.”
— Sir Brian Appleton
"Working safely is like breathing – if you don’t, you die.”
— Jerry Smith
"If you don’t think it is safe, it probably isn’t.”
— Jerry Smith
"For safety is not a gadget but a state of mind.”
— Eleanor Everet
"Luck runs out, but safety is good for life.”
— Author unknown
"What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger; Except for workplace hazards, if they don’t kill you, they can leave you with a life long disability.”
— Author unknown
"Do not think because an accident hasn’t happened to you that it can’t happen.”
— Author unknown
"Carefulness costs you nothing. Carelessness may cost you your life.”
— Author unknown
"Work injuries and illnesses can affect every aspect of life for workers and their families.”
— Maine Department of Labor
"Alternate tasks whenever possible, mixing non-computer-related tasks into the workday. This encourages body movement and the use of different muscle groups.”
— Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
"I’m glad to see how young people are stepping up when it comes to safety. They are focused on safety rather than being told to be safe. It makes a difference when people own things.”
— Scott Cam
"Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands.”
— Jeff Cooper
"You are your own last line of defense in safety. It all boils down to you.”
— Kina Repp
"If you don’t know, ask. Working with people is far better than working against them — always bring together all the people and information available to you!.”
— Aidan O’Shannessy, The Block Site Manager
"Check yourself before you wreck yourself.”
— Meg Cabot
"Accidents hurt, safety doesn’t.”
— Author unknown
"Any worker should be able to stop work if they feel there is a danger to continuing operations.”
— Sean Lucas
"It costs less to be safe every day than to make one careless mistake along the way.”
— Author unknown
"Think! Do it the safe way; do it the right way; do it every day.”
— Author unknown
"One is not exposed to danger who, even when in safety is always on their guard.”
— Publilius Syrus
"Confidence cannot find a place wherein to rest in safety.”
— Virgil
"Don’t turn your back on safety, if it’s unsafe, report it!”
— Author unknown
Funny safety quotes for the workplace
If you’re looking for funny safety quotes to make your staff smile, these are for you. Adding a bit of humor will put a fun spin on life-saving information that should be taken seriously.
"All this health and safety talk is just killing me.”
— Jeremy Clarkson
"There is a good chance; an accident brought you into this world. Don’t let one take you out.”
— Author Unknown
"Your wife will spend your 401K; If you get killed at work today.”
— Author Unknown
"If you think professional safety officers are expensive, wait until you see what an amateur costs.”
— Author Unknown
"In case of fire, gently wake sleeping employees to prevent causing nervous shock. Then leave the building as quickly as you do at closing time.”
— Author Unknown
"Ten fingers, ten toes, two eyes, one nose – Safety Counts.”
— Author Unknown
"Working without safety is a dead-end job.”
— Author Unknown
"Safety is gainful, accident is painful.”
— Author Unknown
"Protect your hands, you need them to pick up your pay check.”
— Author unknown
"Safety brings first aid to the uninjured.”
— F.S. Hughes
"No Safety, Know Pain. Know Safety, No Pain.”
— Author unknown
"When safety is first, you last.”
— Author unknown
"If safety is a joke, then death is the punchline.”
— Paul Laforest.
"Safety is a cheap and effective insurance policy.”
— Author unknown
Safety quotes from famous authors, celebrities, or historical figures
Using famous quotes from well-known authors or celebrities with your team can make them more relatable. Why not follow the wisdom of some of the brightest minds from the present and the past?
"Working virtually 100% indoors, in a seated position and usually talking on a phone, writing or typing on a computer paves the way for some of the top injuries … to develop.”
— Albert Einstein
"It takes leadership to improve safety.”
— Jackie Stewart
"There is no such thing as an accident, only a failure to recognise the hand of fate.”
— Napoleon
“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
"Paper doesn’t save people, people save people.”
— Dan Petersen
"Safety and security don’t just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.”
— Nelson Mandela
"Precaution is better than cure.”
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"The way to be safe is never to be secure.”
— Benjamin Franklin
"The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come.”
— Confucius
"Government's first duty and highest obligation is public safety.”
— Arnold Schwarzenegger
"Safety should never be a priority. It should be a precondition.”
— Paul O Neill
"I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but safety first!”
— J. K. Rowling
"The danger which is least expected soonest comes to us.”
— Voltaire
"Better Safe than Sorry”
— Samuel Lover
"Concern for man himself and his safety must always for the chief interest of all technical endeavours.”
— Albert Einstein
Quotes on warehouse safety
Warehouse safety depends heavily on the correct use of equipment. All employees must receive proper training and thoroughly understand every piece of equipment they’ll be using on the job.
“When it comes down to it, safety is a priority when it comes to a warehouse – after safety, you can think about efficiency. The last thing you want to do is put your warehouse workers in danger – just to boost your profit margins. A safe warehouse is an efficient warehouse.”
– Business First Family Organization
“It matters little how much equipment we use; it matters much that we be masters of all we do use.”
— Sam Abell
“You don’t need to know the whole alphabet of Safety. The A, B, C of it will save you if you follow it: Always Be Careful.”
— Mines Magazine (Colorado School of Mines)
“It is essential to have good tools, but it is also essential that the tools should be used in the right way.”
— Wallace D. Wattles
“At the end of the day, the goals are simple: safety and security.”
— Jodi Rell
"Measuring Safety Performance by the number of injuries you have is like measuring parenting by the number of smacks you give.”
— Dr. Robert Long
"When safety professionals’ risk tolerance is out of alignment with societal norms the safety professional is doomed to a life of frustration.”
— Phil LaDuke
"One earnest worker can do more by personal suggestion to prevent accidents than a carload of safety signs.”
— Making Paper
"An incident is just the tip of the iceberg, a sign of a much larger problem below the surface.”
— Don Brown
"Error is pervasive. The unexpected is pervasive… What is not pervasive are well-developed skills to detect and contain these errors at their early stages.”
— Karl E. Weick
"Safety is the most basic task of all. Without sense of safety, no growth can take place. Without safety, all energy goes to defense.”
— Torey L. Hayden
"Think you're safe? Well think again, and again...”
— Author unknown
"Of the major incentives to improve safety, by far the most compelling is that of economics. The moral incentive, which is most evident following an accident, is more intense but is relatively short lived.”
— Jerome F. Lederer
"Off the shelf Safety Systems – if you want a good dust collector, buy a vacuum cleaner.”
— Dave Collins
Quotes on worker mental health and well-being
Creating a culture that supports employee mental health and well-being is one of the smartest business decisions you’ll ever make. When people feel safe and supported at work, they’re more motivated and engaged, which positively impacts your bottom line by increasing productivity.
“Treating employees benevolently shouldn’t be viewed as an added cost that cuts into profits, but as a powerful energizer that can grow the enterprise into something far greater than one leader could envision.”
— Harold Schultz
“Safety isn’t expensive, it’s priceless.”
— Jerry Smith
“Whoever is happy will make others happy too.”
— Anne Frank
“We believe a happy employee will lead directly to happy customers.”
— Chris Hammond
“Studies show that a trusting workplace increases employees’ level of happiness, work effort, productivity, and engagement. It also provides an environment that encourages open communication and promotes people to share their ideas.”
— Arthur Miller
“When we think about being the most customer-centric organization, we (also) want to be the most safety-centric organization in the world.”
— Marla Corson, director, Amazon North America Customer Fulfillment, Environmental Health and Safety
"It’s very isolating when you think you are the only one struggling.”
— Adam Kay
"Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging.”
— Joseph Campbell
"Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.”
— Henry Ford
"Don't learn safety by accident.”
— Jerry Smith
"Safety is a basic human need. People with a sense of security and belonging are stabilized for learning, creating, innovating. A group of wonderfully cared for, confident individuals will generate great ideas.”
— John Sweeney
"He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything.”
— Author unknown
Quotes on fire safety and prevention
Warehouse fires can not only cause irreversible damage to the building’s structure, machinery, and stocks but also endanger the lives of your employees. Hence, everyone in your organization must take fire safety seriously. Plan to review fire safety measures with your employees regularly.
“Don’t let your dreams go up in smoke—practice fire safety.”
— Author unknown
“Fire can kill. Don’t be a statistic!”
— Author unknown
“Think of fire before it starts.”
— Author unknown
"Let’s blaze the way, to keep the blaze away.”
— Author unknown
"Fire destruction is one man’s job; fire prevention is everybody’s job.”
— Author unknown
"In case of fire, exit building before tweeting about it.”
— Author unknown
"Kill fire before it kills you.”
— Author unknown
"Fire is a good servant but a bad master.”
— Author unknown
"Big or small, fire safety is for all.”
— Author unknown
Quotes on forklift safety
Forklifts are a common cause of warehouse accidents. According to the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one in six workplace deaths involves a forklift, and forklift accidents account for around 85 deaths yearly. As forklifts pose a significant danger to those working nearby, everyone in the warehouse, not just the forklift operators, must be trained on forklift safety.
“Don’t get carried away—look out for forklifts.”
— Author unknown
“Safety is no accident.”
— Author unknown
“The key to safety is in your hands.”
— Author unknown
“Make safety a reality and don’t be a fatality.”
— Author unknown
"Every accident is a notice that something is wrong with men, methods, or material — investigate — then act.”
— Author unknown
"Shortcuts cut life short.”
— Author unknown
"Be careful! This machine has no brain; Use your own.”
— Author unknown
"Never travel faster than your guardian angel can fly.”
— Mother Teresa
"Chance takers are accident makers.”
— Author unknown
"If you think safety rules are a pain. Try having an accident.”
— Author unknown
"Yellow lines on the floor are your lifelines. Please follow the traffic rules.”
— Author unknown
"The best drivers are aware that they must be beware.”
— Author unknown
"Fast drive could be last drive.”
— Author unknown
Safety quotes on disaster recovery
Despite your best efforts, workplace accidents and crises will happen. When they do, you’ll need to meet with your employees to discuss what happened and how to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Getting back on your feet after a disaster might seem like an insurmountable challenge, but as these quotes suggest, moving forward is essential while not forgetting the lessons learned from the incident.
“There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, there are no limits.”
— Michael Phelps
“The future rewards those who press on. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to complain. I’m going to press on.”
— Barack Obama
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
"A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
— Author unknown
"Nothing is of greater importance than the conservation of human life.”
— Former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge
"The economic waste resulting from carelessness is appalling, but anyone who stops for a moment to consider the sorrow and desolation which is brought into thousands of lives each year by utter thoughtlessness must feel a new resolve to make a habit of safety first.”
— W. C. Durant
"The greatest responsibility of a leader is to give the people in your span of care grounded sense of hope for the future”
— Bob Chapman
"Safety saves sickness, suffering, sadness.”
— Author unknown
Quotes on storage rack safety
Storage rack collapse is another major warehouse safety concern, with consequences ranging from structural and equipment damage to injury and death. One of the primary causes of racking system failure is a damaged frame due to forklift impact, which weakens the rack’s ability to support loads. That’s why, in order to prevent rack-related accidents and keep everyone safe, it’s critical to train your employees to spot and report damage.
“Train your employees on rack safety and they’ll identify and report the damage. Empower them to report damage and you’ll avoid accidents.”
— Robert Bouchard, Damotech rack expert
Last words on workplace safety and company values
Providing a safe work environment is not just about establishing safety procedures, displaying the right signage, and training your employees, but also about building a company culture that values safety above all else. One of the best ways to do this is to initiate conversations about safety regularly so that everyone gets a chance to learn, ask questions, and discuss their concerns.
