As a safety professional, can you name who in your company lives for NASCAR? Who is a movie fanatic? Who is an NBA superfan? These aren’t just silly questions. According to Stephen Lutes, safety professionals need to know what their colleagues are interested in. Only then, Stephen says, can you genuinely connect safety to how people approach work.

In this episode, Apolonia talks with Stephen Lutes, Director of Health and Safety at Hewa Enterprises.

Steve has more than two decades of experience facilitating Organizational Training, Safety Climate, Leadership, Team Development, Health, Safety and Wellness programs.

Topics that Steve and Apolonia discuss in this episode:

* Too many people starting out in safety ask, “What are your policies and procedures?” Instead, they should ask, “Who are your people? What are your positions?”

* Safety policies and procedures won't be followed unless you have the right people.

* Safety professionals might be experts in safety, but are rarely the subject matter expert in the fields (construction, oil, etc.) they work within.

* Sometimes safety professionals need to invest a ton of effort with individuals who really don't care about safety. Those kinds of workers put everybody at risk, and need extra attention.

* If you’re in safety management, and you’re struggling, just take a step back. Don't offer suggestions. Don't ram anything down anyone’s throat. Instead, listen and ask great questions.

Thanks so much to Stephen Lutes for being a guest! Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-lutes-83302415.

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This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.