Charged To Change: The Journey to Safety Leadership

October 19, 2015. A date I’ll never forget. That day, my life—and my perspective on safety—changed forever.

As a journeyman lineman, I’d weathered the dangers of high-risk environments for years, but one mistake led to a life-threatening workplace accident.

Recovery wasn’t just emotional; it was mental, and professional. That moment ignited a mission in me: a charge to ensure no one else faces unnecessary risks on the job.

Surviving That Day Transformed Me

I came to understand that assumptions in high-risk work environments are silent threats.

Too often, we assume safety is someone else’s responsibility or that protocols don’t need to be questioned.

My accident shattered those illusions, and from that moment on, I committed to challenging assumptions and fostering proactive safety cultures.

Challenging Assumptions to Build Safer Teams

Over the years, I’ve developed frameworks like the ACE Framework (Ask, Consider, Execute) for Enhancing Crew Coordination and Safety to ace every job with clarity, flexibility, and purposeful action.

This approach isn’t theoretical—it’s rooted in my own lessons learned the hard way and designed to be actionable in the real world.

Pre-job briefings are often treated as routine checkboxes, but they hold the key to preventing incidents.

By pausing to ask, “What’s different today?” you shift the conversation from autopilot to awareness.

Start by encouraging your team to:

?? Identify small changes: Weather, equipment conditions, crew composition, or even nearby activities can introduce new risks.

?? Speak up without hesitation: Psychological safety is critical—team members should feel empowered to voice concerns without fear of judgment.

?? Connect observations to actions: Don’t stop at identifying risks; assign tasks to mitigate them and ensure everyone knows their role in the updated plan.

By asking this simple question, you can uncover blind spots before they become hazards.

Addressing these subtle changes now is far easier—and safer—than reacting to an emergency later.

Safety is Personal, and It’s Achievable

For me, safety isn’t just a policy; it’s a deeply personal mission.

From working in the trenches as a journeyman lineman to facing the aftermath of a life-changing accident, I’ve learned that safety is more than compliance—it’s about accountability, care, and leadership at every level.

When I founded Leading Safe Linemen LLC also know as Leadings Safe Lineworkers, I knew I wanted to help others see safety not as a burden but as a shared responsibility.

In training sessions, I challenge crews to break out of complacency by sharing their own stories, asking hard questions, and reflecting on near-misses.

The results? Teams become stronger, more cohesive, and better prepared to anticipate risks.

Safety leaders like you have the power to ignite change.

It starts with setting the tone, asking the right questions, and showing your team that their safety is your priority.

That personal connection doesn’t just prevent incidents—it builds trust, morale, and a culture where everyone feels responsible for ensuring their peers go home safely.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Safety is achievable, one intentional step at a time.

?? Every worker deserves to go home safely at the end of the day.

This belief is the foundation of everything I do.

Through my keynotes, workshops, and the Wired for Safety Blog, I aim to empower crews, foremen, and safety leaders to take control of their safety culture.

Safety is about building a culture of care, accountability, and connection—one where every team member feels responsible for their safety and the safety of those around them.

?? Keynotes and Workshops

In my workshops and speaking engagements, I focus on equipping leaders and crews with actionable strategies to eliminate assumptions, challenge complacency, and foster stronger team alignment.

These sessions are designed to inspire change, build trust, and provide practical tools that can be implemented immediately in high-risk environments.

?? Wired for Safety Blog

For ongoing insights, I share practical advice and proven safety strategies in the Wired for Safety Blog.

This resource is tailored to leaders and crews alike, offering tools, frameworks, and reflections that can help transform how you approach safety in the field.

From addressing hidden risks to enhancing team communication, the blog is your go-to source for actionable safety leadership guidance.

At the end of the day, safety is personal. It’s about ensuring that every worker has the clarity, confidence, and support they need to return home safely. That’s what drives me.

If you’ve ever faced a challenge that made you rethink how you work, let’s connect. Your story could inspire others, just like mine has shaped the safety-first approach I live and teach today.

For now, I will leave you with this:

?? Start Today! Take the first step toward building a safer, more connected team:

1?? Ask: At your next pre-job briefing, ask your team, “What’s different today?” Identify any risks that may have gone unnoticed.

2?? Consider: Take a moment to consider all new information. Determine the safest and most efficient path forward, and ensure the updated plan is clearly communicated to the team.

3?? Execute: Execute the plan confidently, maintain discipline by following procedures, and reflect afterward to identify successes and areas for improvement.

?? Remember: Safety starts with small, intentional actions. You have the power to lead by example.

For more practical tips and tools, check out the Wired for Safety Blog and join the movement to build safer, more proactive workforces.