County Materials Corporation

John Puzz

Trust-Based Safety Champion

Intentional and frequent communication regarding safe work practices and behaviors positively influences team members. Recognizing when someone is working safely can be as impactful as addressing an unsafe action when it is handled with genuine care and respect. Team members tend to have a negative feeling towards safety when it is only discussed when something goes wrong or when they feel they are only being engaged with because there is an issue. When team decisions are positively reinforced, they take ownership of the task and become more likely to follow the safe work practices. 

Constructive conversations regarding safety concerns and issues are also vitally important to build ownership. Including the team member in developing solutions, as simple as it may be, makes them feel heard and part of the process rather than simply following orders. 

Integrating Safety into Daily Work 

Leadership can help integrate safety into daily work by discussing hazards while going over the tasks that need to be performed. Often, safety topics are the first things discussed in a morning huddle, followed by the production schedule.

Team members leave the meeting with production being the last thought. Some might say, ‘Well then, we will end the meeting discussing the safety topics.’ This also segregates the production and safety expectations. The more leadership can weave safe working habits and processes together, the more likely they will remain of equal importance. Discuss the hazards that present themselves as you go through the production schedule for the day. 

Balancing Technology and Human Connection

There are a lot of thoughts around AI and how it can help streamline the work process. AI will not replace a face-to-face interaction. AI can be a valuable tool for improving the efficiency of reports and data analysis. However, it should support, not replace, the judgment, experience and direct engagement of safety professionals. Those opportunities are what truly impact humans and meet social needs. 

Learning management systems help standardize training content and ensure consistency across teams. However, they should complement, not replace, hands-on training, especially when delivered by the supervisor responsible for reinforcing both production and safety expectations. That direct coaching is essential to building understanding, accountability and safe work habits. 

Addressing Safety Gaps through Accountability

While ‘zero tolerance’ can be interpreted in different ways, one perspective I learned early in my career has stayed with me. ‘Zero tolerance’ does not have to mean termination, no exceptions. It can be as simple as ‘this will not go undiscussed.’

The truth is, everyone makes mistakes. I make mistakes, you make mistakes. In most cases, employees do not intentionally disregard safety policies. When a work rule or process is not followed, it often reflects a gap in understanding, communication or leadership alignment. These situations should be evaluated as opportunities to identify system breakdowns, strengthen expectations and improve processes rather than defaulting immediately to discipline. 

Advice for Emerging Safety Professionals 

Spend as much time as you can to learn the work process through observation and discussion with the people performing the work. Ask questions, ask for their opinions, share your thoughts and show genuine interest in learning. Respectful interactions are of the utmost importance, especially when someone becomes defensive about a behavior.

Take every opportunity to help someone with a problem, even if it is not directly related to safety. Point them in the right direction or help them find the answer. This may feel like it’s ‘not your job’ when these opportunities present themselves, but it will help build trust with the team members and help you be seen as someone who can positively impact their work lives. Once you have built that trust, team members are more likely to work with you, not just to meet safety requirements, but to help make the workplace safer for everyone.