During my three decades in this field, I have learned that security is not just about compliance. It’s about understanding the real challenges that workers, owners and contractors face every day on the ground.
Recently, one of our senior safety advisors noticed a worker seemed discouraged and after talking to him, knew he was struggling mentally but was hesitant to seek help because of the stigma. Based on her own experience, she encouraged him to seek therapy and offered a referral. They continued to talk about their progress over the following weeks.
This is empathy in action: seeing the whole person, not just their tasks. As safety professionals, we may not always know if we have prevented an incident, but leading with empathy ensures that we are supporting our workers in every way, including their mental well-being.
By fostering a culture where safety is a shared responsibility, we can transform the way we operate and achieve lasting success. Because security is about people, and people need to feel supported.
Empathy as a key driver
Empathy means understanding the real challenges our teams face on a daily basis: tight deadlines, challenging conditions and unpredictable weather. It’s about really listening to concerns, valuing perspectives and acknowledging reality. When empathy is the foundation of our security practices, we go beyond regulations to truly support our team members.
Empathy is similar to what our senior safety advisor offered a struggling worker: listen, encourage, check in and follow up. As our workers face challenges, safety isn’t just a list of dos and don’ts, it’s about using our emotional intelligence to understand the person and what motivates them (both good and bad) in the key moments of the job.
Building a culture of compassion
Empathy should not be seen as a soft skill, but as a strategic driver for effective security practices. It helps us better understand the pressures our crews face and how to meet their needs. In a culture driven by compassion, every team member feels supported, knowing that their well-being is a priority. This mindset shifts safety from a compliance-based approach to one that is about ensuring people feel heard, respected and valued.
The construction industry has often been seen as tough and unforgiving, but leading with empathy allows us to break that image. When we listen to what our workers are going through and give them the tools and resources they need, we build stronger teams. It’s not just about ticking security boxes, it’s about creating an environment where everyone embraces security, from top to bottom.
Get to the heart of security
True safety change requires more than just numbers or reports: it requires a deeper understanding of everything that happens in the workplace. In our 30 years of experience, we’ve found that companies often struggle to make lasting progress because they focus too much on incident reports and compliance checklists. To really move the needle on security, it’s essential to take a closer look at the broader culture and environment in which your team operates.
Here are some of the key areas we have found crucial when assessing and improving safety culture:
- Wider Scope: Security goes beyond compliance. A holistic approach looks at culture, leadership and employee attitudes. When leadership is engaged, it fosters accountability at all levels.
- Communication and people: Open and honest communication helps workers feel safe raising concerns. Real conversations uncover challenges that data can’t, fostering a proactive culture that prevents incidents.
- Data combination: Combining qualitative insights with quantitative data paints a more complete picture. This combination helps identify hidden trends that are often missed in pure data.
- Root Cause Analysis: Incidents are often symptoms of deeper problems. By identifying root causes, such as poor communication or unrealistic expectations, we can address the real issues, not just the surface issues.
- Proactive solutions: Focus on building long-term resilience in security practices and start early. Solutions like better programming, improved training, or mental health support prevent problems before they arise.
- Continuous improvement: Security requires continuous reassessment. Regular visits ensure that safety strategies evolve with team needs and workplace dynamics.
Conclusion
We go beyond compliance and work to build a safer and more caring future based on compassion and collaboration. When we put our team members first and foster genuine connections at every level, we not only protect our teams, we strengthen the entire industry. The journey to a more empathetic and holistic safety culture starts with each of us, and together, we can make a lasting difference.
