Safety programs don’t fail because of a lack of policies. They fail because those policies don’t come with real accountability.
If you’ve been in this industry long enough, you’ve seen it happen. A company rolls out a new safety initiative with all the right pieces—procedures, checklists, training. On paper, it looks solid. But then reality sets in. Corners get cut. Protocols get ignored. And eventually, something goes wrong.
Why? Because compliance without accountability is just paperwork. And paperwork doesn’t save lives.
If safety isn’t something we hold ourselves and each other to every single day, then it’s just a box we check before getting to work. And that’s exactly how people get hurt.
The Cost of a Lack of Accountability
When accountability is missing, safety rules become suggestions. And in this trade, suggestions don’t keep you alive.
Here’s what happens when there’s no real accountability:
🚨 Complacency – If nobody enforces the rules, people assume they don’t matter.
🚨 Miscommunication – Crews assume someone else is responsible, but no one actually takes ownership.
🚨 Preventable Incidents – Hazards get ignored, near-misses turn into accidents, and suddenly, there’s a crisis that could’ve been avoided.
Let’s say a crew is setting up for a distribution clearance for a pole replacement project. Everyone knows they’re supposed to test the circuit de-energized before going to work. But today, there’s no test. Why? Because “we just opened the switch clearing the circuit.” Because “nothing happened last time.” Because someone assumed the circuit was clear.
That’s the accountability gap. And that’s how people end up in a world of hurt.
How to Build a Culture of Accountability
Fixing the accountability gap doesn’t happen by writing another policy or holding another meeting. It happens when leadership and crews commit—every single day—to making safety a non-negotiable.
Here’s how you make that happen:
1. Set Clear Expectations
People can’t be accountable if they don’t know what’s expected of them. Safety roles and responsibilities need to be crystal clear.
✅ Make expectations known – Don’t assume everyone’s on the same page. Spell it out, repeat it often, and check for understanding.
✅ Document and reinforce – Safety should be part of daily conversations, not just an annual refresher.
✅ Hold everyone to the same standard – If one guy is allowed to skip a step, it won’t be long before everyone does.
If it’s not clear, it’s not enforceable. And if it’s not enforceable, it’s not a safety rule—it’s a suggestion.
2. Lead with Consistency
Nothing kills accountability faster than leadership that doesn’t practice what they preach. If the boss isn’t following safety rules, why should the crew?
💡 Lead by example – If leadership follows the rules, the crew will too. If leadership cuts corners, expect everyone else to follow suit.
💡 Enforce fairly – The rules apply to everyone—no favorites, no exceptions.
💡 Follow through – If a rule is broken, there needs to be a response every time. Consistency builds trust. Inconsistency breeds doubt.
Accountability doesn’t mean being the bad guy. It means making sure no one has to deliver bad news to a family because of a preventable incident.
3. Encourage Peer Accountability
Safety isn’t just leadership’s job. It’s everyone’s job. A culture of accountability means crews don’t wait for a supervisor to correct something—they take care of each other in real time.
👷 Call it out early – A quick, respectful reminder is all it takes to prevent a dangerous situation.
👷 Make it normal – The best crews aren’t the ones that “mind their own business”—they’re the ones that have each other’s backs.
👷 Flip the script – Instead of saying, “Hey, put on your PPE,” say, “Hey, let’s look out for each other—throw your PPE on.”
Safety isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s about making sure everyone gets to go home at the end of the day.
4. Provide Constructive Feedback
Mistakes will happen. But if accountability only shows up when something goes wrong, it won’t be long before people stop listening.
🔄 Make feedback a habit – Correcting unsafe behavior should be a normal part of the job, not a rare event.
🔄 Keep it productive – “What the hell were you thinking?!” doesn’t change behavior. “Hey, let’s walk through this again so we don’t miss a step next time” does.
🔄 Focus on improvement, not punishment – The goal isn’t to make people feel bad—it’s to make sure they get it right next time.
Accountability is about making sure people learn, not just making sure they know they messed up.
5. Recognize and Reward Safe Behavior
People repeat what gets recognized. If accountability only exists when something goes wrong, you’re missing half the equation.
🎯 Acknowledge safe decisions – It takes zero effort to say, “Hey man, I appreciate you taking the time to double-check that.”
🎯 Make safety wins visible – Team shout-outs, small incentives, or even just a “great job” in front of the crew go a long way.
🎯 Reinforce the right habits – When people see that safety is valued, they’ll keep making it a priority.
Accountability isn’t just about correction—it’s about reinforcement. Show people that doing the right thing matters.
Your Challenge: Take One Step Toward Stronger Accountability
Where does accountability break down in your crew?
Find one small thing you can fix today. Maybe it’s reinforcing expectations. Maybe it’s addressing a near-miss. Maybe it’s having an honest conversation about safety.
Whatever it is—do something. Because accountability isn’t a policy. It’s a decision.
At Leading Safe Lineworkers, I help crews bridge the accountability gap with real-world safety training that turns policies into action. If you’re ready to create a culture where safety isn’t just a rule—it’s a responsibility—I’d love to help.
🔹 Let’s build a safer, more accountable workforce together.
📅 Book a consultation today and take the first step toward real change.
Click here to schedule a consultation
