This series explores five personal practices of safety excellence, including steps each of us can take to become as safe as possible.   The first article in the series was a reminder that we have personal accountability and agency in safety – enough to stop work and even walk off the job if conditions are […]

Transmission line construction is one of the most complex and politically sensitive infrastructure endeavors in the United States. Crews routinely work across dozens and sometimes hundreds of distinct land parcels, navigating a patchwork of easement rights, property histories and landowner temperaments. What happens when that navigation breaks down isn’t always a polite conversation at the […]

Walk through any industrial environment and you’ll hear familiar messaging: “Be proactive.” “Own safety.” “Follow the procedure.” Then step into the boardroom, where the conversation shifts to yield, uptime, injuries and cost. We coach people on behaviors yet judge them based on outcomes, sending mixed signals to the frontline workers at the sharp end of […]

The concept of mental toughness has long been embedded in high-risk industries. Workers are often taught to push through adversity, remain focused under pressure and get the job done regardless of circumstances. Utility crews, construction teams, first responders, military personnel and countless others routinely face demanding conditions that require determination, discipline and perseverance. The ability […]

At NASCAR’s Talladega Superspeedway, Daytona International Speedway and Pocono Raceway, there is always talk of “The Big One” – a wreck that often characterizes the three-hour, 200-mph, 40-car races on three-lane-wide ovals. Of course, The Big One doesn’t happen at every race, which could be due to luck or preparation, planning and skill. When it […]

I’m so pleased that we now have various social media platforms to recognize lineworkers for the critical services they provide, not to mention the sacrifices they make to do so. When I worked storms in the 1960s and ’70s, my crewmates and I rarely received more than the occasional note of appreciation from a customer, […]

Q: How do consensus standards apply to the employer’s responsibility for safe work practices? A: Consensus standards are part of a system that employers can use to develop their safety programs. The issue here is whether an employer can defend their programs. Compliance with a consensus standard does not necessarily ensure OSHA compliance; the agency […]

Since we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this summer, I thought it would be interesting to examine a brief overview of the last 250 years of safety. Let’s see where we started, assess how far we’ve come and renew our commitment to continuous improvement. To assist with this project, I asked Google Gemini to provide U.S. […]