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833 Developing a Construction Safety Management System
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Safety Leadership Styles

Effective safety leadership can and should be demonstrated at all organizational levels.

managers
Managers, supervisors, and employees can all demonstrate effective leadership.

Managers can demonstrate leadership by setting the proper example, displaying real commitment, and developing an effective CSMS.

Supervisors demonstrate leadership by directly providing employees the necessary resources, psychosocial support, training, and by setting a good personal example.

Employees demonstrate leadership through personal example and involvement. They do the right thing when not being supervised.

Three Primary Styles

Managers, supervisors, and employees generally use one or a mix of three leadership styles: Tough-coercive, Tough-controlling, or Tough-caring.

Tough-Coercive Leadership: Managers are tough on safety to protect themselves. In this approach, the manager controls performance by yelling and using the threat of punishment. The manager is tough on safety only to achieve compliance to fulfill legal obligations through the use of fear. By definition, the use of fear cannot be effective in achieving world-class safety because employees perform only to the level that avoids punishment. Fear may be successful in achieving compliance, but that's it.

Tough-Controlling Leadership: Managers are tough on safety to control production.They have high standards for behavior and performance, and they control all aspects of work to ensure compliance. This is most often considered the "traditional" approach to safety leadership. Leaders using this approach may be more successful, but employees usually do not perceive them as real leaders. Managers believe tight control is necessary to achieve production goals. Communication is typically top-down and information is used to control. Unfortunately, a safety manager is typically hired to act as a safety "cop" rather than an internal consultant.

Tough-Caring Leadership: Managers and supervisors are tough on safety because they care about the safety of their employees. Managers understand that complying with the law, controlling losses, and improving production can best be assured if employees are motivated, safe, and able. Managers also understand that they can best fulfill their commitment to their external customers by fulfilling their obligations to internal customers: their employees. Safety managers are hired as internal consultants rather than cops.

You can learn more about leadership styles in course 700 Introduction to Safety Management.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-2. Which leadership approach is most effective because managers are tough on safety to protect their employees?