Managing Your Own 250 Square Feet to Change Safety Culture

As a safety professional with experience working in high risk industry of high-risk industries, I’ve seen the power of leadership in shaping safety culture. I’ve had the privilege of delivering presentations and keynote speeches to a wide range of organizations, from major corporations to smaller teams, all focused on one key message: safety culture starts with each of us.

One keynote I’m most proud of is called “Managing Your Own 250 Square Feet to Change Safety Culture.” It’s designed to get people thinking about their immediate sphere of influence, no matter their role or position.. This talk is for safety professionals, team leaders, and executives across industry; anywhere safety is a value.

Safety Culture is Not Squishy

One of the core ideas I emphasize is that safety culture isn’t a nebulous, “squishy” concept. It’s tangible. Safety culture is built on clear systems, leadership accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. In fact, you already know your culture. It’s the environment where people interact with safety protocols daily, where systems are in place to manage risk, and where behaviors reinforce safety norms – or not!

My Own 250 Square Feet

In my presentation, I share reflections on my own “250 square feet,” encouraging listeners to consider the areas where they hold the most sway. In our own workspaces, whether it’s a team of 10 or a facility of hundreds, the leadership we demonstrate—whether in actions or words—ripples outward, influencing those around us.

The power of these small spaces is in their ability to amplify safety awareness, driving cultural shifts across an entire organization. Leaders who focus on their direct impact can shape the climate of safety by engaging their teams in meaningful ways—through coaching, shared responsibility, and consistent messaging. That climate, repeated and amplified by leaders, begins to shift the entire culture.

A Little Help from My Friends

As much as we can influence within our own realm, the real change in safety culture requires collaboration. I emphasize that procurement, engineering teams, HR, finance and other people in a company all play a role in safety. By aligning efforts across departments and integrating safety measures into decision-making from the start, you ensure that the culture of safety doesn’t just remain in the hands of one person but is woven into every part of the organization.

Leadership’s Role in Owning Risk

Lastly, one of the most crucial lessons in my presentation is getting leaders at every level to “own risk.” Safety isn’t just something to be checked off a list. It’s something to be continually assessed, addressed, and valued. Through effective risk ownership, leaders set the example for others to follow, creating a culture where safety is a fundamental part of how business is done.

By starting with your own “250 square feet” and fostering leadership that owns risk, safety culture can thrive and extend throughout your organization.

How To Change Your Organization’s Safety Culture

This blog is a high-level summary of what I talk about in this keynote presentation. If you’re interested in hearing more about how you can start changing safety culture in your own organization, feel free to reach out. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how we can build safer, more accountable workplaces together.

To discuss how we can apply these lessons and improve your organization’s safety culture, click here to schedule a meeting with me.