Safety Labs by Safety Products Global The Ever-Changing World of Construction Safety with Fred Sherratt
Nov 17, 2025
Dr. Fred Sherratt, a construction safety expert and founder of Straight Talk Safety, dives into the complexities of construction safety. He emphasizes that safety is a dynamic, people-driven process influenced by ever-changing work environments. Fred critiques the concept of 'safety culture,' arguing it's shaped by relationships and communication on-site. He highlights the importance of leadership and genuine engagement in fostering safety, while recommending practical strategies for safety professionals to adapt and build trust within their teams.
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Safety Is Constantly Recreated
- Construction sites are perpetually dynamic because building means changing the space and workforce constantly shifts.
- This shifting reality makes long-term, homogeneous "safety culture" measures ineffective in construction.
Safety As A Social Construction
- Safety is socially constructed: groups create shared rules, norms and boundaries about acceptable behaviours.
- Different sites and trades hold different safety understandings, so a single culture measure misleads.
Model Safety Through Actions
- Be the safety you want to see: demonstrate desired behaviour rather than just saying it.
- Walk past less, call out unsafe acts, and prioritise people in decisions to show genuine care for safety.
