Building Safer Construction Workers: 8 Principles for Strong Safety Leadership

At 5:30 a.m. today, I had the honor of leading a safety workshop for experienced concrete Foremen at Burgess Concrete Construction, in Moline, Michigan. Safety isn't just a priority for this team; it's at the core of every successful project they undertake. In this post, we'll explore the eight principles this team identified to use to empower safety leadership in commercial construction.

Principles:

1.     Involve Workers in Safety: Encourage workers to actively participate in safety discussions. Start each day with a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) safety discussion to identify potential risks and controls and set a proactive tone.

2.     Empower Workers in Decision-Making: Involve workers in safety-related decisions. Encourage them to offer solutions to potential hazards, fostering a sense of ownership.

3.     Effective Communication: Use thoughtful questions to engage workers in safety discussions. Encourage them to share insights, concerns, and ideas. Share your own stories of near misses, injuries and more importantly; the lessons learned.

4.     Set Clear Goals: Collaborate with your team to set clear and achievable safety goals. Ensure everyone is aligned and motivated to reach those goals.

5.     Accountability Matters: Establish a culture of accountability where workers are responsible for following safety protocols and meeting goals. 

6.     Recognition: Recognize and compliment workers for their safety efforts. Positive reinforcement boosts morale and encourages continued safety focus.

7.     Ownership of Safety: Empower your workforce to take ownership of safety initiatives. Encourage them to identify and address potential hazards.

8.     Encourage Reporting: Create an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting problems and accidents. Open communication and reporting improve safety protocols and ensure a safer work environment.

In the commercial construction industry, safety is not just a checkbox; it's a shared commitment that begins at the top. Embracing these eight principles empowers safety leadership and builds a safety-focused culture. Remember, safety isn't just a practice; it's a mindset that strengthens the future of commercial construction.

If you would like to learn more about to build safer workers in 180 seconds, then click here.

As always, thank you for all you do for safety and I’ll see you out there!

Seth (Aka Safety Culture Pro)