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How to Enforce Safety Without Ruining Relationships on the Jobsite

“How do you enforce safety rules while keeping a good relationship with the crews?”

It’s a great and controversial question. In this blog, I’ll Walk you through how to answer it in a way that’s rooted in respect, not punishment. When you build your approach around that, you’ll not only enforce safety effectively, but you’ll also strengthen your relationships with the trades.

The Two Safety Camps:

There are generally two camps in our industry:

  1. The Asking Camp:
    This approach is about connection. You talk to the person, explain the why, ask for a change, document it, and use those insights to improve the system. It’s supportive and gentle—like the STOP program from DuPont. This camp is about recommending, not policing.
  2. The Zero Tolerance Camp:
    This is the camp I align with—but with an important distinction. Within this camp, there are two subgroups:
    • The Punishment Camp (which I reject).
    • The Respect Camp (which I advocate).

Why I Reject Punishment:

Our culture, especially in North America, is steeped in punishment. It’s a framework built on the idea that if you mess up, you pay the price. That approach may be familiar, but it’s toxic. It leads to control, fear, and often chaos.

Good people who reject punishment often swing to the other extreme: asking without enforcing. But human nature doesn’t thrive in a “just ask” environment. You’ll end up constantly reminding the same folks 50–80 times a day. It doesn’t work.

The Respect-Based Zero Tolerance Model:

Here’s the difference:
Zero tolerance with punishment is controlling.
Zero tolerance with respect is empowering.

Respect means we hold high standards because we care. It’s not about being mean—it’s about protecting people. Let’s look at a few examples from our job sites:

  • Clean bathrooms: Because I respect the craft.
  • Good lunch areas and BBQs: Because I respect the team.
  • Enforcing cleanup and sending people home when unsafe: Because I respect their lives, their families, and everyone around them.

A Framework That Works:

This approach relies on three key elements:

  1. Build the Team:
    Be visible. Be human. Be present. Meet people in orientations, huddles, and around the site. Shake hands. Know names. Show you care.
  2. Be Clear About the Rules:
    Everyone should know what’s expected. Repeat the basics—safety glasses, fall protection, cleanliness—at every huddle, meeting, and event.
  3. Enforce Consequences with Respect:
    If someone breaks a rule, don’t yell or embarrass them. Instead, say, “I love you, man. But I have to send you home. Come back through orientation tomorrow.” Not because we’re mad—but because we care enough not to let something tragic happen.

The Results

Here’s what happens when you really follow this model:

  • Over the course of two years, you may only have to send 20 people home.
  • People love the environment and the culture.
  • You’ll hear things like:
    “I don’t want to work anywhere else.”
    “This is the cleanest, safest site I’ve ever been on.”
    “I respect you and want to come back.”

This isn’t theory. I’ve done it—over and over again—and it works.

Final Thoughts:

You can be friendly and still enforce the rules. Real friends don’t let each other get hurt. They care enough to draw a line when it matters most.

If you want to learn more we have:

-Takt Virtual Training: (Click here)
-Check out our Youtube channel for more info: (Click here) 
-Listen to the Elevate Construction podcast: (Click here) 
-Check out our training programs and certifications: (Click here)
-The Takt Book: (Click here)

Discover Jason’s Expertise:

Meet Jason Schroeder, the driving force behind Elevate Construction IST. As the company’s owner and principal consultant, he’s dedicated to taking construction to new heights. With a wealth of industry experience, he’s crafted the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp – intensive training programs engineered to cultivate top-tier leaders capable of steering their teams towards success. Jason’s vision? To expand his training initiatives across the nation, empowering construction firms to soar to unprecedented levels of excellence.

 

 

On we go