👉 One of the most overlooked yet powerful aspects of safety—human connection. Here's why:
Safety isn’t just about policies and procedures; it’s about trust, accountability, and the relationships we build within our teams. When crews trust each other and take ownership of safety, they create a work environment where everyone looks out for one another.
Why Trust is the Cornerstone of Safety Culture
When you’re 60 feet up, every move you make is backed by something you can’t see—but you have to trust it’s there. It’s not just the line supporting your weight or the harness securing your body. It’s your crew on the ground, the people watching your back while you focus on the task at hand.
But here’s the real question:
👉 Do you trust them to catch the hazards you can’t see?
👉 Do they trust you to listen when they call out a warning?
Because in high-risk environments, trust is more than a feeling—it’s a survival tool.
Trust Makes or Breaks Safety
In a perfect world, every safety protocol would be followed to the letter. But we don’t work in a perfect world—we work in the real one.
A world where distractions exist, where assumptions happen, where one small oversight can have massive consequences.
Without trust:
❌ Communication suffers – People hesitate to call things out.
❌ Assumptions take over – “He sees what I see.” “They’ll say something if it’s bad.”
❌ Mistakes escalate – What could have been a quick correction becomes a serious incident.
Trust: A Two-Way Street with High Stakes
Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the backbone of a safe crew. If your team doesn’t trust that you’ll listen when they call out a warning, why would they keep speaking up? If they don’t trust leadership to back them when they stop a job, hesitation creeps in. And if you don’t trust your crew’s judgment, you might second-guess their calls and push forward when you shouldn’t.
Without trust, safety takes a back seat. People hesitate, second-guess their instincts, and let things slide—assuming their concerns won’t be taken seriously. The result? Increased risk, near misses, and sometimes, tragic consequences.
Safety isn’t just about rules—it’s about relationships. It’s about proving, day after day, that your crew has your back—and knowing they have yours.
The Danger of Silence and Self-Doubt
Trust is what gives workers the confidence to speak up—and act—when something doesn’t feel right. But when trust is lacking, hesitation creeps in.
Imagine a young apprentice noticing a veteran skipping a step in grounding procedures. If they fear ridicule or dismissal, they might stay silent, and that hesitation could mean the difference between an uneventful shift and a catastrophic incident.
Likewise, every experienced worker develops a gut instinct—when something looks or feels off. But in an environment where trust is low, they second-guess themselves instead of stopping to verify a concern. That split-second delay, caused by self-doubt, can be all it takes for an incident to unfold.
Safety isn’t about ego—it’s about survival. When crews trust each other, they don’t hesitate. They speak up, listen, and act before small concerns become major risks.
When trust is weak, hesitation leads to silence. Silence leads to second-guessing. And second-guessing leads to complacency—the silent killer of safety cultures. Workers start normalizing unsafe behaviors, assuming leadership won’t take concerns seriously. Without trust, a ‘that’s just how we do it’ mindset replaces ‘let’s make sure we’re doing this the safest way.’ The result? Leadership loses visibility into real risks, and preventable incidents unfold.
The Chain Reaction of Broken Trust
When trust breaks down, silence replaces communication. Decisions become uncertain. Shortcuts turn into habits. Near misses multiply—until one isn’t just a near miss.
Ignoring warning signs doesn’t just increase risk—it sets the stage for disaster. Trust isn’t a safety net; it’s the first line of defense.
Trust: The First Line of Defense
Building trust in a crew isn’t about corporate slogans or leadership speeches—it’s about daily actions.
✅ Leaders who listen before dismissing.
✅ Crews that watch each other’s backs.
✅ An environment where asking questions is encouraged, not punished.
When trust is strong, crews don’t hesitate to stop a job. They don’t second-guess themselves. They don’t let unsafe behaviors slide. Instead, they operate with a shared sense of responsibility.
At the end of the day, trust isn’t just about making the job easier—it’s about making sure everyone goes home at the end of their shift.
So, how do we ensure trust isn’t just talked about but built into daily operations? It starts with leadership.
How Leaders Build (or Break) Trust
As a leader, you set the tone. Here’s how you can strengthen trust within your crew:
- Lead by Example – Your crew watches everything you do. If you cut corners or ignore safety protocols, they’ll assume it’s acceptable behavior. Demonstrate the right way, every time—whether it’s double-checking PPE, following lockout/tagout procedures, or stopping work when something feels off. Your actions set the standard for the entire team.
- Encourage Open Communication – Foster an environment where speaking up is the norm. Reinforce that no concern is too small and actively listen when team members raise issues. Create regular opportunities for open discussions and ensure feedback is acted upon, so crew members know their voices matter.
- Follow Through on Promises – If you say safety is the priority, back it up with action. Consistently enforcing safety protocols, providing necessary resources, and addressing concerns immediately show your team that safety isn’t just talk—it’s a commitment. Actions speak louder than words, and when you follow through, you build credibility and reinforce trust within your crew.
- Own Your Mistakes – Admitting when you’re wrong shows integrity and builds respect. Leaders who acknowledge their errors demonstrate accountability and create a culture where learning from mistakes is valued. By openly addressing missteps, you encourage your team to do the same, fostering continuous improvement and stronger teamwork.
- Invest in Training – Confidence comes from competence, and training builds both. Regular, hands-on training sessions ensure that every crew member is prepared for real-world scenarios, reinforcing critical safety habits and decision-making under pressure. When teams continuously develop their skills, they operate with precision, reducing hesitation and increasing overall safety on the job site.
From Trust to Accountability
Once trust is established, accountability becomes a natural next step. When crews trust each other, they don’t just follow safety rules—they own them. They watch out for one another because they want everyone to go home safe.
Your Challenge: Take a moment today to ask yourself—does your crew truly trust each other? If not, what small step can you take right now to start building that trust?
Strong leaders don’t just enforce safety—they build a culture where safety is owned by everyone. And when trust is strong, accountability isn’t forced; it happens naturally. But trust doesn’t build itself—it takes intentional effort.
Don’t leave trust up to chance—let’s build a crew that speaks up and watches out for each other. I offer keynote presentations, customized training, and consulting services designed to strengthen trust, improve communication, and create a culture where safety isn’t just a policy—it’s a commitment.
Let’s set up a time to talk and make safety personal. Click here to connect.
Until next time, stay vigilant!
~Lito Wilkins
