Kevin Burns Blog

The 10% Who Build Your Safety Culture (But You're Ignoring Them)

Posted by Kevin Burns on January 30, 2026

who is your safety messaging talking to? not everyone

Your safety messaging is failing because you're committing marketing's biggest sin: trying to talk to "everyone." When you aim for everyone, you reach no one. The solution? Identify the critical 10% who actually influence your safety culture, and it's not who most safety departments think it is.

The One Person Your Safety Program Is Afraid to Name

Posted by Kevin Burns on January 16, 2026

name the person who controls your safety culture

Every safety program talks about "people" doing things right. Procedures target "people." Behavior-based safety observes "people." The hierarchy of controls protects "people." But ask any anyone to identify exactly which people have the most control over safety culture, and they'll talk about engagement, systems, and culture—anything to avoid naming the specific person who determines whether safety works or fails. And that avoidance isn't accidental. It's deliberate. Because naming that person means admitting your approach has been wrong.

You Can't Fix Culture By Only Focusing On Safety - Here's The Plan

Posted by Kevin Burns on January 6, 2026

why move only one metric when you can move 12?

You can't build a safety culture by only focusing on safety. Here's the leadership problem that's driving your incident rate, AND turnover, AND productivity, AND engagement, AND a dozen other problems ... including safety.

Your Best Supervisors Are Stumbling—And It's Costing You

Posted by Kevin Burns on December 5, 2025

Your supervisors were promoted because they cared about their teams. But nobody taught them how to turn that care into actual leadership. Here's what that's costing you—and how to fix it.

Your Safety Culture Lives or Dies in the First 90 Days

Posted by Kevin Burns on October 24, 2025

safety culture success is determined in the first 90 days

Your new employees will either embrace or reject your safety culture within their first 90 days. Senior management can set policies and launch initiatives, but they can't create safety culture at the frontline level. New team members are learning something deeper through daily interactions: whether their supervisor genuinely cares about their well-being. The relationship built in those first 90 days determines everything about how that employee approaches safety for their entire time with your company.

Your Safety Department Is Wasting Money Training the Wrong People

Posted by Kevin Burns on July 4, 2025

Your safety programs are well-designed, but they're missing crucial advocates. While most training budgets focus on safety professionals and managers, the real leverage point is developing the one person who either champions or undermines every initiative you launch. It's time to create safety allies where culture is actually made.

Why Supervisor Development Must Matter to Safety

Posted by Kevin Burns on April 25, 2025

investing in frontline supervisor development transforms safety culture

Even the best safety programs can fall short of their potential when frontline supervisors lack proper development. Discover how strategic investment in supervisor leadership skills creates a foundation for exceptional safety performance, increased employee engagement, and a thriving safety culture that extends beyond compliance.

The Power of Confident Supervisors in Safety Management

Posted by Kevin Burns on February 28, 2025

Confident supervisors drive better safety outcomes.

Supervisor confidence can transform safety performance in industrial settings. Learn why confident frontline leaders are your most powerful asset in creating a strong safety culture. Learn practical strategies for developing the leadership skills your supervisors need to drive safety.

The Supervisor Effect: Unlocking Safety Culture Through Leadership

Posted by Kevin Burns on January 17, 2025

supervisor development can improve your safety culture

Ever feel like your safety program is stuck in a loop? Most companies pour resources into training everyone, hoping to create a safety-minded workforce. But despite the endless meetings, constant reminders, and substantial investment, genuine buy-in remains elusive. What if the solution isn't about reaching more people, but focusing on the right ones? Research reveals a surprising truth about how change really happens in organizations, and it starts with your supervisors.

Safety Stuck? Your Supervisors Hold the Key

Posted by Kevin Burns on November 22, 2024

supervisor leadership skills are key to building a sustainable safety culture

Every industrial organization strives to achieve safety excellence. However, many companies find themselves stuck at a performance plateau despite having solid safety programs in place. This article explores why developing frontline supervisor leadership skills is crucial for breaking through these plateaus and creating a sustainable safety culture that protects every worker.

Leadership for frontline industrial supervisors.