--- title: Kevin Burns Blog | safety leadership (21) description: safety leadership | Tools and strategies to build supervisor leadership, clarify the safety message, and get employee buy-in. (21) --- Kevin Burns Blog | safety leadership (21) [![KevBurns Learning: We teach industrial supervisors how to be really great leaders.](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kev-Burns-Learning-white.png?width=240&height=118&name=Kev-Burns-Learning-white.png "KevBurns Learning: We teach industrial supervisors how to be really great leaders.")](https://www.kevburns.com/) - [About](https://www.kevburns.com/about-kevin-burns) - [Supervisor Training](https://www.kevburns.com/supervisors) - [Try First 6 Days Free](https://www.kevburns.com/6days) - [52 Benefits of Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/52-benefits) - [Hope Calculator](https://www.kevburns.com/calculator) - [Issues](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [Operational](https://www.kevburns.com/operational-issues) - [Growth](https://www.kevburns.com/growth-issues) - [Resources](https://www.kevburns.com/books) - [Books](https://www.kevburns.com/books) - [Newsletter](https://www.kevburns.com/newsletter) - [Downloads](https://www.kevburns.com/downloads) - [Case Study NBU](https://www.kevburns.com/nbu-case-study) - [Case Study WCC](https://www.kevburns.com/wcc-case-study-2026) - [ROI Videos](https://www.kevburns.com/videos) - [Speaking](https://www.kevburns.com/speaking) - [Media/Podcast](https://www.kevburns.com/media) - [Blog](https://www.kevburns.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.kevburns.com/contact-us) - [About](https://www.kevburns.com/about-kevin-burns) - [Supervisor Training](https://www.kevburns.com/supervisors) - [Try First 6 Days Free](https://www.kevburns.com/6days) - [52 Benefits of Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/52-benefits) - [Hope Calculator](https://www.kevburns.com/calculator) - [Issues](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [Operational](https://www.kevburns.com/operational-issues) - [Growth](https://www.kevburns.com/growth-issues) - [Resources](https://www.kevburns.com/books) - [Books](https://www.kevburns.com/books) - [Newsletter](https://www.kevburns.com/newsletter) - [Downloads](https://www.kevburns.com/downloads) - [Case Study NBU](https://www.kevburns.com/nbu-case-study) - [Case Study WCC](https://www.kevburns.com/wcc-case-study-2026) - [ROI Videos](https://www.kevburns.com/videos) - [Speaking](https://www.kevburns.com/speaking) - [Media/Podcast](https://www.kevburns.com/media) - [Blog](https://www.kevburns.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.kevburns.com/contact-us) # Kevin Burns Blog #### Leadership for frontline industrial supervisors. [Current Articles](https://www.kevburns.com/blog) [RSS](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/rss.xml) [Why Work With Kevin?](https://www.kevburns.com/about-kevin-burns) - [safety leadership (247)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-leadership) - [safety culture (166)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-culture) - [kevin burns (134)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/kevin-burns) - [safety buy-in (125)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-buy-in) - [peoplework (96)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peoplework) - [the carefull supervisor (90)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/the-carefull-supervisor) - [safety meeting (74)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-meeting) - [supervisor training (63)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-training) - [safety speaker (60)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-speaker) - [safety marketing (59)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-marketing) - [safety communications (58)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-communications) - 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[taking control of safety meetings (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/taking-control-of-safety-meetings) - [truly human leadership (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/truly-human-leadership) - [turnover and safety (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/turnover-and-safety) - [workforce stability (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workforce-stability) - [workplace stress (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-stress) - [workplace wellness (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-wellness) - [world-class safety program (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/world-class-safety-program) See all ## [Stop Doing Negative Things To Your Safety Culture](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/404180/Stop-Doing-Negative-Things-To-Your-Safety-Culture) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 [![Stop Doing Negative Things To Your Safety Culture](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/file-2679218022-jpg/images/positive02.jpg?width=900&name=positive02.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/404180/Stop-Doing-Negative-Things-To-Your-Safety-Culture) Here are 7 changes you must make immediately to begin to shift away from a negative-based approach to safety. The headline to this post is negative. Stop, never or don’t are not positive. Telling people what not to do isn’t a plan for positive action because it’s not a complete set of instructions. It’s like scolding. It’s easy to point out what not to do. A successful trip to the grocery store doesn’t include a list of what not to buy. Focusing on what-not-to-do is not a blueprint to safety success. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/404180/Stop-Doing-Negative-Things-To-Your-Safety-Culture) ## [Why Safety Conferences Are Awesome And Safety Meetings Are Not](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403923/Why-Safety-Conferences-Are-Awesome-And-Safety-Meetings-Are-Not) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 [![Why Safety Conferences Are Awesome And Safety Meetings Are Not](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/file-2679217857-jpg/images/conference.jpg?width=900&name=conference.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403923/Why-Safety-Conferences-Are-Awesome-And-Safety-Meetings-Are-Not) Like conferences, safety meetings should inspire people to want to be safe in future - not scold them for not being safe in the past. I have received several notices this week of upcoming safety conferences across North America. In fact, I am proud to be speaking at a couple of them: Workplace Safety North and Safety Services Nova Scotia. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403923/Why-Safety-Conferences-Are-Awesome-And-Safety-Meetings-Are-Not) ## [Top 5 Strategies To Inspire Safety Performance](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403795/top-5-strategies-to-inspire-safety-performance) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 [![Top 5 Strategies To Inspire Safety Performance](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/file-2679217697-jpg/images/inspire.jpg?width=900&name=inspire.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403795/top-5-strategies-to-inspire-safety-performance) To inspire your people to buy-in to safety, you must make safety inspiring. “If you want to your safety program to run like a well-oiled machine, consider your people as “moving parts.” Parts need maintenance for best performance. Coach, communicate and inspire their best. It’s safety after all.” - Kevin Burns [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403795/top-5-strategies-to-inspire-safety-performance) ## [To Increase Safety Engagement You Must Say This](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403536/to-increase-safety-engagement-you-must-say-this) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 [![To Increase Safety Engagement You Must Say This](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/file-2679217537-jpg/images/onething.jpg?width=900&name=onething.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403536/to-increase-safety-engagement-you-must-say-this) Flippant answers must stop immediately. Dismissing concerns as unimportant, disengages people from the job and safety. “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” ― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403536/to-increase-safety-engagement-you-must-say-this) ## [6 Reasons Companies Will Never Achieve Safety Greatness](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403139/6-reasons-companies-will-never-achieve-safety-greatness) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 [![6 Reasons Companies Will Never Achieve Safety Greatness](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/file-2677549309-jpg/images/mediocre.jpg?width=900&name=mediocre.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403139/6-reasons-companies-will-never-achieve-safety-greatness) When apathy and mediocrity run rampant, morale hovers near rock bottom - right next to safety. Without getting into long descriptions, good workplace safety culture is the result of attitudes and personal and corporate values aligning. If apathy in the workplace exists, little care will be given to safety. When the quality of the work is “good enough,” apathy in safety exists. If employees think it's a lousy place to work, then safety will take a back seat. When apathy and mediocrity run rampant, morale hovers near rock bottom - right next to safety. When attitudes suck, good luck being a top performer - either in safety or financial performance. Hence, you have a broken safety culture. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403139/6-reasons-companies-will-never-achieve-safety-greatness) ## [Top 5 Things Safety Managers & Supervisors Need To Know](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403019/top-5-things-safety-managers-supervisors-need-to-know) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 [![Top 5 Things Safety Managers & Supervisors Need To Know](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/file-2677549159-jpg/images/card.jpg?width=900&name=card.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403019/top-5-things-safety-managers-supervisors-need-to-know) Here are the five most important things you need to know about being effective in your safety position. The term safety manager refers to anyone responsible for providing direction in safety. If they are managing or supervising or overseeing the safety program in any way, they are safety managers. I am not referring to your title. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/403019/top-5-things-safety-managers-supervisors-need-to-know) ## [Safety Managers Are Not Safety Leaders](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/402749/safety-managers-are-not-safety-leaders) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 [![Safety Managers Are Not Safety Leaders](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/file-2677548994-jpg/images/notleader1.jpg?width=900&name=notleader1.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/402749/safety-managers-are-not-safety-leaders) In every profession, there are good and bad performers. Safety is no different. In a LinkedIn post recently, I wrote, “There will always be employment for good leaders. Safety leaders will always have options. That means security for their families and themselves.” [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/402749/safety-managers-are-not-safety-leaders) ## [5 Things Managers Must Give Employees In Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/402482/5-things-managers-must-give-employees-in-safety) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 [![5 Things Managers Must Give Employees In Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/file-2677548844-jpg/images/give.jpg?width=900&name=give.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/402482/5-things-managers-must-give-employees-in-safety) The new management reality: staff don’t work for managers - managers work for staff. There are 5 constants in life: death, taxes, change, Greek folk-songs speed up, and people make decisions that compromise safety. That last constant impacts the first one too often. That impacts the second (taxes/premiums) and creates more of the third, change. I haven’t figured out where the fourth one sits in the scheme of things. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/402482/5-things-managers-must-give-employees-in-safety) ## [How To Replace Safety Incentives](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/402184/how-to-replace-safety-incentives) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 [![How To Replace Safety Incentives](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/file-2677548704-jpg/images/incentives.jpg?width=900&name=incentives.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/402184/how-to-replace-safety-incentives) Here are the three steps to take employee focus off of money and put it back onto safety To a union audience at a workshop, I asked the question, “Why do you work safely?” The answers varied from, "it’s the right thing to do" to "money talks." [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/402184/how-to-replace-safety-incentives) ## [Top 10 Safety Attitude Strategies For 2015](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/401824/top-10-safety-attitude-strategies-for-2015) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 1, 2024 [![Top 10 Safety Attitude Strategies For 2015](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/file-2677548574-jpg/images/top10.jpg?width=900&name=top10.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/401824/top-10-safety-attitude-strategies-for-2015) Safety is in the midst of a change in perception: from a compliance program to a lifestyle choice. 2015 is the year that you are going to see an emergence of attitude being a major factor when it comes to workplace safety. That doesn’t mean that the process safety will take a back seat. Besides improving the safety process, safety attitudes will create buy-in to the safety program. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/bid/401824/top-10-safety-attitude-strategies-for-2015) [Previous](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-leadership/page/20) [All posts](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/all) [Next](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-leadership/page/22) ### Subscribe to Kevin's Blog Get insights and strategies to build the leadership skills employees want their supervisors to have! Subscribe now. --- Kevin Burns' newest book, **The CareFull Supervisor**. 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