“Safety as a Core Value: Making Human & Organizational Performance Stick”

Read the article: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/prioritize-safety-now-so-it-becomes-a-value-before-its-too-late/

In this episode, we explore why true safety goes beyond reacting to incidents—it starts long before. We unpack powerful, low-risk ways to practice Human & Organizational Performance (HOP) tools (like “say-it-out-loud,” checklists, E+R=O) in everyday life, building a foundation so these habits carry over when it really matters. Join us as we discuss how caring—not fear—drives safety, and why making safety a value rather than just a priority can prevent harm before it happens.

✅ Key Takeaways

1. Learning before failure: Unlike hot stove lessons, we can intentionally develop safety values before major incidents occur.

2. Safety vs. “priority”: True safety is non-negotiable—unlike when we say “except when…”.

3. The power of caring: Caring drives us to anticipate risk—like parents child‑proofing before birth.

4. Practice HOP tools now: Saying “garage door down,” using packing checklists, proofreading—simple acts that ingrain safety habits.

5. Event + Response = Outcome: A pause before reacting can turn rushed decisions into mindful actions.

6. Choose growth over reaction: You can wait for an incident or proactively build safe practices because you care.

❓ 3 Questions & Answers

Q1: What differentiates making safety a “value” from a “priority”?

A1: A value means it’s non-negotiable—safety always comes first—while a priority can be deferred, leading to compromises and weakeness in approach.

Q2: How does practicing HOP tools in everyday life help at work?

A2: The everyday practice of tools like checklists or saying instructions out loud builds muscle memory and cognitive habits that carry over into high-risk situations when you really need them.

Q3: Why is “caring” so critical to building a safety culture?

A3: Caring motivates us to protect—even before danger is evident. Like parents covering outlets before a child arrives, caring can create preemptive protections that prevent harm.

Here are some valuable resources you may want for your team – some at no cost even.

iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo, this is held twice a year. you can earn CUSP/Certification points here –

Register for the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo

Utility Safety Podcast – Search “Utility Safety Podcast” on every major podcast platform
https://utilitysafety.podbean.com/

iPi Forum it is free and a lot of fun via Zoom monthly, and can earn 1 certification point.
iPi Forum Sign Up

Frontline Fundamentals every 2 months, free again and can earn 1 certification point,
Frontline Fundamentals Forum Sign Up

Incident Prevention Magazine – Free – Great resource – Highly recommended for Safety Professionals
Sign up Digitally or Print For Free to iP Magazine

#SafetyCulture #HumanPerformance #HOPTools #SafetyFirst #ValueDrivenSafety #IncidentPrevention

“Shepherding Safety: Leadership Lessons from the C5 Model”

In this episode, we explore how safety leaders can learn from the timeless role of the shepherd. Just as shepherds guide, protect, and inspire their flock—even when wolves are near—effective safety leaders embrace Competence, Commitment, Caring, Courage, and Credibility to protect their teams and drive a strong safety culture. Join us as we break down the C5 Model and discuss practical ways to embody these principles every day on the job.

Read the article: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/the-good-shepherd/

✅ Key Takeaways

• Great safety leadership requires more than policies; it demands human connection, integrity, and courage.
• The C5 Model—Competence, Commitment, Caring, Courage, Credibility—offers a clear framework for building trust and influence.
• A leader must stand firm in the face of challenges (“the wolves”) to ensure the team’s well-being.
• Caring isn’t weakness—it’s essential for earning trust and motivating safe behavior.
• True leadership means being willing to do the hard, unpopular things to protect others.

3 Questions and Answers

Q1: What is the C5 Model in safety leadership?

A1: The C5 Model stands for Competence, Commitment, Caring, Courage, and Credibility. It’s a framework that helps leaders focus on personal qualities essential to earning trust and guiding their team toward safe outcomes.

Q2: Why is the shepherd analogy relevant to safety leadership?

A2: Like a shepherd protecting the flock, safety leaders must guide, protect, and sometimes confront danger to keep their people safe. It highlights the leader’s responsibility to anticipate threats and care for their team even when it’s difficult.

Q3: How can safety leaders show “Caring” without seeming weak?

A3: Caring means being genuinely concerned for your team’s well-being. It builds trust and respect, showing workers they matter. Far from weakness, it’s a strength that motivates people to follow safety guidance willingly.

Register FREE to be apart of the next Free Frontline Fundamentals – https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6817011082585/WN_1AiwFJXbSCqNyQ5q16Js5w

Webinar sessions that coincide with the Frontline Fundamentals Articles in the Incident Prevention magazine written by David McPeak, Director of Education. This webinar will provide you with tools, tips and advice to help your Frontline team to become even better Safety Leaders. It is a small sample of the in-depth Frontline Training program that can be done online or delivered on your company’s learning management system (LMS).

Check out all the articles written in iP Magazine for Frontline Fundamentals – https://ip-institute.com/frontline-webinars/

Visit www.ip-institute.com for more training and education!

#SafetyLeadership #UtilitySafety #IncidentPrevention #C5Model #WorkplaceSafety #SafetyCulture

In this episode of Frontline Fundamentals, host David McPeak dives into the challenge of bad attitudes in the utility industry and their impact on safety and team culture. Learn how to identify the root causes, apply leadership strategies, and transform negative behaviors into positive change. Through real-world examples and the C5 Leadership Model, this episode provides actionable insights to enhance workplace morale and safety.

Read the Article: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/bad-attitudes-and-how-to-handle-them/

🎧 Listen now to gain valuable strategies for fostering a stronger, more cohesive team.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Identify the Source: Understanding where a bad attitude originates is key to addressing it effectively.

✅ Leadership Strategies: Use techniques like empowerment, setting clear expectations, and leading by example.

✅ C5 Leadership Model: Building Competence, Commitment, Caring, Courage, and Credibility helps prevent and resolve bad attitudes.

✅ Impact of Attitudes on Safety: Negative attitudes can spread quickly and impact risk perception in utility work.

✅ Practical Solutions: Strategies like positive reinforcement, leadership transfer, and cultural shifts can improve team dynamics.

5 Key Questions & Answers from the Podcast:

1. What defines a bad attitude in the workplace?

A bad attitude includes negativity toward others, lack of respect for safety protocols, and resistance to collaboration, all of which can harm team morale and culture.

2. Why is it important to address bad attitudes early?

Unaddressed negativity can spread throughout a team, affecting relationships, reducing trust, and increasing workplace risks.

3. How can leaders effectively change negative attitudes?

By understanding the source of negativity, using empowerment strategies, reinforcing positive behaviors, and demonstrating credibility through C5 Leadership.

4. What role does workplace culture play in preventing bad attitudes?

A strong, positive culture minimizes negativity by fostering respect, accountability, and psychological safety, creating an environment where bad attitudes are less likely to develop.

5. How does addressing bad attitudes improve workplace safety?

When employees have a positive mindset, they are more likely to follow safety protocols, engage in job briefings, and support a culture of proactive risk management.

#UtilitySafety #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #SafetyLeadership #TeamBuilding #PsychologicalSafety #FrontlineLeadership #IncidentPrevention

In this compelling episode of Front Line Fundamentals, David McPeak, CUSP, delves into the crucial concept of psychological safety in the workplace. David explains how legacy culture shapes current safety practices and shares actionable strategies to foster an environment where team members feel safe to report errors, participate in safety programs, and exercise stop-work authority without fear. Drawing from real-world examples and human performance principles, David offers a fresh perspective on transforming organizational culture by admitting past failures, building trust, and empowering employees to contribute to safety initiatives. Whether you’re a seasoned safety professional or just starting out, this episode provides invaluable insights into creating a culture of communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Psychological Safety: Learn how to gauge and enhance the safety of your team’s environment.
2. Overcoming Legacy Culture: Discover how past experiences impact present behaviors and how to shift from negative to positive influences.
3. The Power of Leadership Response: Understand how responses to incidents and successes shape team trust and culture.
4. Creating a Communication-Driven Culture: Strategies to encourage open communication and voluntary reporting of safety issues.
5. Positive Reinforcement: Explore the role of recognizing and rewarding desired safety behaviors to drive high performance.

#PsychologicalSafety #UtilitySafety #LeadershipMatters #CultureChange #WorkplaceSafety #SafetyLeadership #Empowerment #FrontLineFundamentals #DavidMcPeakCUSP

Register FREE to be apart of the next Free Frontline Fundamentals – https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6817011082585/WN_1AiwFJXbSCqNyQ5q16Js5w

Webinar sessions that coincide with the Frontline Fundamentals Articles in the Incident Prevention magazine written by David McPeak, Director of Education. This webinar will provide you with tools, tips and advice to help your Frontline team to become even better Safety Leaders. It is a small sample of the in-depth Frontline Training program that can be done online or delivered on your company’s learning management system (LMS).

Check out all the articles written in iP Magazine for Frontline Fundamentals – https://incident-prevention.com/blog/…

Visit www.ip-institute.com for more training and education!

In this thought-provoking episode of Front Line Fundamentals, David McPeak, CUSP, breaks down the strategies to prevent serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) in the workplace. Drawing from safety principles, human performance tools, and real-world examples, David emphasizes the importance of shifting from compliance-based safety programs to actionable strategies that empower teams. He introduces the concept of direct controls, explores the significance of hazard quantification, and highlights how proper planning and task-specific mitigation can protect teams from high-energy exposures. This episode is a must-listen for safety professionals, leaders, and anyone dedicated to improving workplace safety outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Direct Controls for High Energy Exposures: Learn what direct controls are, why they are essential, and how verification ensures their effectiveness.
2. Quantifying Hazards and Risks: Understand how to identify and measure risks to predict and prevent incidents.
3. Shifting to Empowerment-Based Safety: Discover tools to involve and empower teams in safety planning, moving beyond compliance to proactive solutions.
4. The Power of Task-Specific Planning: Explore how detailed task analysis can mitigate high-risk exposures.
5. Overcoming Human Error: Equip teams with tools to reduce errors while safeguarding against inevitable mistakes.

#SafetyFirst #WorkplaceSafety #SeriousInjuryPrevention #HighEnergyExposures #HazardMitigation #DirectControls #UtilitySafety #DavidMcPeakCUSP #FrontLineFundamentals

Register FREE to be apart of the next Free Frontline Fundamentals – https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6817011082585/WN_1AiwFJXbSCqNyQ5q16Js5w

Webinar sessions that coincide with the Frontline Fundamentals Articles in the Incident Prevention magazine written by David McPeak, Director of Education. This webinar will provide you with tools, tips and advice to help your Frontline team to become even better Safety Leaders. It is a small sample of the in-depth Frontline Training program that can be done online or delivered on your company’s learning management system (LMS).

Check out all the articles written in iP Magazine for Frontline Fundamentals – https://incident-prevention.com/blog/…

Visit www.ip-institute.com for more training and education!