Our VP of Operations, Justin Williams, recently published an article in OH&S magazine exploring what separates organizations with strong safety records from those that struggle with incidents. In When Leaders Own Safety, Culture Follows, he examines why some companies excel at safety while others fall short, despite having comprehensive policies in place.
The key insight? It’s not about better documentation—it’s about leadership engagement.
While comprehensive safety policies are important, they’re only effective when leadership actively demonstrates and reinforces safe practices. Here are the essential takeaways from Justin’s analysis of what leadership-driven safety culture really looks like.
The Gap Between Policy and Practice
Many organizations have excellent safety policies that align with OSHA requirements, but these policies don’t always translate into safer workplaces. This disconnect often occurs when safety becomes a compliance exercise rather than an integral part of daily operations.
The challenge emerges when there’s inconsistency between stated priorities and actual resource allocation. While leaders may genuinely commit to “safety first,” decisions about time, equipment, and training don’t always reflect this priority, creating mixed messages throughout the organization.
Modeling Safety Standards
Effective safety leadership requires consistent demonstration of expected behaviors. This means wearing appropriate PPE for every task, regardless of duration, and following all protocols even during routine activities.
When leaders participate in basic safety practices alongside their teams—from housekeeping to hazard identification—they reinforce that safety standards apply universally. Teams closely observe leadership behavior, and consistent modeling sends a clear message that safety is truly valued as practice, not just policy.
Encouraging Safety Communication
Creating opportunities for genuine safety dialogue transforms routine safety discussions into meaningful conversations. When managers personally lead toolbox talks and actively seek input from field personnel, safety becomes a collaborative effort rather than top-down instruction.
Particularly important are what Justin calls “moments of courage”—when team members speak up about safety concerns or stop work due to identified risks. How leadership responds to these situations directly influences whether workers will continue raising safety issues or remain silent about potential hazards.
What Actually Works
Instead of just counting what goes wrong, smart companies track what prevents problems in the first place. This includes field observations, safety checklists, and near-miss reports that provide valuable insights into potential hazards before they become incidents.
Justin emphasizes one particularly powerful leadership signal: beginning every business meeting with safety results before reviewing financial performance. This practice demonstrates that safety takes precedence over other business metrics, regardless of external pressures.
The bottom line? Real safety culture isn’t about the posters on your break room wall—it’s about what happens when no one’s looking. When leaders actually own safety instead of just talking about it, everything changes.
Ready to elevate your safety culture?
Contact us to schedule a conversation or check out Justin Williams’ complete article When Leaders Own Safety, Culture Follows in OH&S magazine for more insights on building a leadership-driven safety culture.