Most construction companies talk a big game about construction safety. PPE, compliance forms, toolbox talks—but why do crews still cut corners?
In this episode, Adam and Jeff tackle the uncomfortable truth: safety programs don’t create safety culture—leadership does. They share raw stories from the field, call out lazy thinking, and unpack why most “compliance-first” approaches are doomed to fail.
If you’re a GC, superintendent, or project manager trying to keep your people safe without being a babysitter—this one’s for you.
What You’ll Learn:
Why most workers don’t care about your EMR
The difference between compliance and care
How top-down safety cultures actually get built
What to say when your crew shrugs off protocols
The ONE question every leader should be asking their teams
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Episode 16 Transcript:
Adam and Jeff discuss the importance of safety in construction, emphasizing that while accidents can’t be completely eliminated, the goal is to minimize frequency and severity. They highlight the business benefits of safety, such as lower EMR, insurance rates, and improved competitiveness. However, they argue that compliance-based safety is insufficient and stress the need for intrinsic motivation and a genuine care for workers’ well-being. They note that larger companies often have more robust safety cultures and resources, while smaller contractors may lack these. They also discuss the role of documentation and planning in enhancing safety and the importance of a safety culture that extends beyond mere compliance.
Adam:
Hey, my name’s Adam.
Jeff:
And my name is Jeff, and this is the Construction Hot Takes podcast.
Adam:
If you haven’t already, please subscribe, hit the like button, and share this with your friends. You can find us on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify. If you want to go deeper on any of these topics, book a call with one of our consultants using the link below. Now—let’s put on a safety harness and jump in.
Jeff:
All gas, no brakes. Let’s do it. F*** a harness. Let’s go. Get on that roof—leading edge my ass, right? It’s four feet away, do I really need a cable? I’ve never fallen off a roof.
Adam:
Let’s talk about the business reasons for safety before we get into the jobsite side. Lower incident rates mean a lower EMR, which means lower insurance rates—which makes me more competitive. And it’s a retention strategy. Employees feel taken care of. It’s company culture, and it’s now an industry standard.
Jeff:
Here’s my problem with that. I don’t like convincing people that safety is a good idea just because it’s good for business. That creates a compliance mentality. Your average worker isn’t thinking about EMR when they remove a saw guard.
Adam:
But human beings are lazy. Most accidents happen because someone ignored a protocol. Enforcement and rules are there to at least force people to do the minimum—hard hats, safety glasses, etc.
Jeff:
But that’s not sustainable. If someone’s on the leading edge, they need a real, personal reason to be safe. Compliance isn’t a reason.
Adam:
Right, and self-preservation isn’t natural for everyone. Look at motorcyclists without helmets. Same thing on site: “I’ve done this a thousand times,” so they skip the steps.
Jeff:
Which is how you end up not testing voltage, not locking out equipment, and then getting hit when someone flips a switch. Compliance paperwork doesn’t stop that.
Adam:
No, but it sets a floor. It avoids some bad decisions. PPE is the first level of defense. Then there are controls—barriers, policies, oversight.
Jeff:
But wouldn’t you want people to be intrinsically motivated?
Adam:
That would be great. But if I’m the business owner, I need to create a structure where compliance is meaningful.
Jeff:
Have you seen companies that have actually done that?
Adam:
Yes. And it always starts from the top. It’s a moral stance. It’s not about insurance. It’s, “I care about your family. I want you to go home.” That’s what motivates. And it has to be felt by your team.
Jeff:
As a PM, I always walked the walk—wore my PPE even just walking the site. And I’d stop guys if I saw they didn’t have their glasses or gloves. But they’ll still take things off because of inconvenience—foggy lenses, scratchy gloves.
Adam:
There’s a gap between intention and action. The worker decides: “These glasses suck,” and takes them off. Then it’s dust in the eye, a cornea scratch, a few days off. Happens all the time.
Jeff:
Gloves come off when unboxing with razor knives—then you get a cut that requires stitches. Electricians hate gloves because they reduce dexterity. But then, you put a screw through your finger.
Adam:
We’ll never eliminate all injuries. The goal is to minimize frequency and severity. Safety culture exists to get everyone home.
Jeff:
It’s like the mountaintop you’ll never reach—but it’s still worth climbing. Safety is a massive risk issue. And yes, there’s a business case—but it has to start as a moral one.
Adam:
Right. Sometimes it’s about planning. Larger contractors bake that in. Smaller guys might skip it due to lack of time or expertise—but you can hire that. You can build a safety plan.
Jeff:
Totally. And not just enforce compliance—help build a culture. We’ve done that. We’ve helped companies incentivize safety, define roles for safety directors, and document everything. If it’s not written, it didn’t happen.
Adam:
Those forms everyone hates? They force thought. Think five steps ahead. If you’re working on the 20th floor, don’t make 20 trips for tools. Same with safety—what do you need before you start?
Jeff:
Exactly. It’s about creating habits that keep people thinking ahead. Because construction is always evolving. And accidents happen when people let their guard down.
Adam:
If anything we said today hits home—click the link below and book some time with one of our consultants. We work with contractors across North America to help solve problems like this.
