R. Bruce Wright, CPCU

During visits and calls with members of this Power Program, I frequently find that our conversations about how to get good ideas off the conference room table and into the workers’ minds end up in discussions of company culture.

Perhaps may even you recall my saying that safety on the job reflects the culture in the workplace, and that workplace culture is the single most important factor in the prevention of errors and negative outcomes, injuries and incidents of loss, commonly called “accidents.” Some of our clients have almost no losses at all, while others have a steady backbeat of incidents that result in losses. Maybe it’s time to take a closer look at the impact of safety culture in the workplace. 

I have heard recently that more and more often utility leaders are using some key words to describe their workers. It seems that line workers are typically categorized and described as members of one of three groups: Newbies, old-timers, and “cowboys.” 

Newbies, new line workers, hired as ground-men, apprentices, trainees, or even as credentialed journeymen, tend to be careful and follow the rules, at least at the start. These beginners, typically in their 20s, may be actively working through an apprenticeship program, may even be a recent graduate of a training school. They know they are learning the work, the approach and the way things are done at their new employer, and they tend to keep their heads down and watch how others are doing things. They tend to be careful in their work.

Old-timers are usually veteran workers who have made it through to lead lineman or supervisory positions. These “survivors” have achieved a level of wisdom with experience – they’re usually 50 or older – and often have leadership roles, and are secure in their positions, no longer anxious to rise in the ranks. They too are careful in their work, they have seen the consequences for those who don’t!

The cowboys are the ones we worry about. These are the workers that are still trying to establish a reputation for getting the job done, for keeping the lights on, and generally being able to do any task that they are assigned. They are usually younger, striving workers that are highly productive as long nothing goes wrong. But trouble seems to find the cowboys. They tend to be in their 30s and 40s, with a bit of experience and a bucket of ambition, and all too often they “tune out” safety talks as a waste of time; they will be fine because “That stuff won’t happen to me.”

Here’s a statistic for you: according to NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 60% of worker electrocutions occurred to those less than 35 years of age. Young, hard working cowboys! 

Often, routine tasks present the biggest threats to line workers. But on an average day, during a typical assignment, it might be easier to overlook a critical safety detail.

Your leaders need to keep a close watch on all workers to make sure that they are  not taking shortcuts. Rather than emphasize, ‘Hurry up and get the job done.’ they need to  constantly remind everyone that nothing is more important than safety: their own safety, the safety of other workers, and the safety of the general public. The cowboys are the ones that believe they can do it, in fact, they can do anything! Unfortunately, this can lead to taking chances that result in losses and injuries. Nothing they do is worth dying for!

After 40 years of working with utilities, I can tell you without hesitation that you communicate your culture in everything you do. Line work is an extremely hazardous job that requires all workers to maintain a focus on safety every moment. Workers are always watching their leaders for cues to the culture. Remember that in everything you do or say, they are learning from your example!