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Rethinking Risk: Safety Culture, Risk Tolerance, and Relationship-Driven Leadership – Mark Taylor, CUSP

Written by Nick Leonardi on . Posted in Utility Safety Podcast.

In this compelling episode, Mark Taylor, CUSP, Senior Advisor of Corporate Services at Primary Engineering and Construction, joins us to explore how utility professionals perceive and manage risk. Drawing from decades of field and leadership experience, Mark discusses how a worker’s risk tolerance evolves over time, the importance of coaching over compliance, and how building trust and relationships within teams fosters a stronger safety culture.

We also discuss the generational shift in safety attitudes, how to encourage real “stop work” authority, and the power of employee buy-in—whether it’s safety glasses or safety protocols.

Whether you’re a safety leader, a utility worker, or a manager seeking to improve culture and communication, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and stories that resonate.

Don’t miss Mark’s insights, leadership tips, and a sneak peek into the upcoming IUOTA conference in San Diego.

Check out the IUOTA Conference – https://www.iuota.com/

Key Takeaways:

  • Risk tolerance increases with experience—but so can complacency.

  • Relationship-building is key to enabling true stop-work authority and a proactive safety culture.

  • Coaching yields better long-term safety outcomes than compliance enforcement.

  • Younger workers tend to question safety practices more—and that’s a good thing.

  • When employees are heard and supported, buy-in follows naturally.

  • Explaining the “why” behind safety rules is critical to adoption.

  • Culture shifts start with caring—genuinely—about your team.

  • Small gestures (like supporting preferred PPE purchases) can lead to major cultural wins.

Questions and Answers:

Q1: What is risk tolerance in the context of utility safety?

A1: Risk tolerance is a worker’s willingness to accept safety risks, often influenced by experience, previous outcomes, and personal comfort. Over time, routine exposure without consequences can raise that tolerance to unsafe levels.

Q2: How can leaders help reduce unsafe risk tolerance?

A2: By fostering open communication, encouraging curiosity, and modeling behavior that prioritizes elimination over mitigation. Leaders should promote a culture where anyone feels empowered to speak up.

Q3: What role does relationship-building play in safety?

A3: Strong relationships between leadership and field teams build trust. When workers feel respected and heard, they’re more likely to participate in safety discussions, report hazards, and accept coaching.

Q4: How can companies shift from compliance-driven to value-driven safety cultures?

A4: Start by caring deeply about workers, offering flexibility where possible (e.g., PPE preferences), involving teams in decisions, and always explaining the reasoning behind policies.

 

You can read the current magazine at Incident Prevention Magazine.

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Register for the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo – https://utilitysafetyconference.com/

 

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