Tradition can be deadly. The phrase “We’ve always done it this way” kills progress, ignores better solutions, and puts lives at risk. Just because a method worked in the past doesn’t mean it’s the safest option today. Change is uncomfortable, but clinging to outdated practices creates unnecessary hazards. The best workplaces evolve. The safest workers adapt. The strongest leaders challenge the status quo.
Workplaces evolve. Equipment improves. New risks emerge, but some workers and managers resist change. Trusting old habits over updated safety protocols is a liability. When comfort takes precedence over caution, the cost is injuries, lost productivity, and even lives. This mindset leads to:
▸ Ignoring New Technology
Safer, smarter tools exist, but workers stick to outdated methods.
▸ Skipping Critical Updates
Regulations and best practices change, but companies fail to adapt.
▸ Overconfidence in Experience
Veteran workers assume nothing will go wrong because it never has.
▸ Resistance to New Training
Safety procedures evolve, but some see refresher courses as unnecessary.
▸ Inconsistent Enforcement
If rules aren’t enforced, workers stop taking them seriously.
The result? Preventable injuries. Avoidable fatalities. Unnecessary risks. A culture of stagnation where accidents are just waiting to happen.
Why People Resist Change
1. Fear of the Unknown
New methods feel uncomfortable. Workers trust what they know.
2. Time and Effort
Learning new safety protocols takes work. Some see it as a hassle.
3. Lack of Enforcment
If leadership doesn’t push change, employees won’t follow.
4. Survivor Bias
Just because an accident hasn’t happened doesn’t mean it won’t.
5. Complacency
If shortcuts seem to work without consequences, workers keep taking them.
6. Workplace Culture
If management isn’t committed to change, neither will employees.
The Real Cost of Staying the Same
Safety complacency doesn’t just cost lives, it costs money. Workplace injuries lead to lost time, increased insurance premiums, lawsuits, and damaged reputations. A single preventable accident can derail an entire operation. Companies that resist safety improvements don’t just put workers at risk, they put the entire business at risk.
How to Break the Cycle
Change starts at the top. Safety isn’t just about rules; it’s about a mindset. Here’s how to push past outdated safety habits:
▸ Challenge the Old Ways
Ask why things are done a certain way. If the answer is “because we always have,” rethink it.
▸ Lead by Example
Management must follow new safety protocols first. Employees will follow their lead.
▸ Train Continuously
Safety isn’t one-and-done. Regular refreshers keep workers sharp and aware.
▸ Reward Adaptation
Recognize workers who embrace safer, smarter methods.
▸ Show Real Consequences
Share stories and stats of accidents caused by outdated practices. Make it real.
▸ Enforce Accountability
Hold everyone responsible for upholding safety changes. No exceptions.
▸ Make Change Easy
Provide hands-on training, accessible resources, and clear communication on new policies.
▸ Encourage Open Dialouge
Workers should feel safe questioning outdated practices and suggesting improvements.
The Bottom Line
Safety isn’t about tradition. It’s about survival. Clinging to old habits puts workers in danger. The best workplaces evolve. The best workers adapt. The best leaders make sure they do. Because the most dangerous phrase in safety isn’t “watch out”, it’s “we’ve always done it this way.”
Change isn’t easy. But neither is explaining why an injury happened when it could have been prevented. The safest workplace isn’t the one that clings to the past, it’s the one that learns, adapts, and never stops improving.
Work smart. Stay strong. Speak up.
Related Articles
- All Posts
- #EmergencyPreparedness
- 2025 safety trends
- 360 Immersive
- 360immersive
- 6S Safety
- accident prevention
- accidental careers
- adjustable workstations
- adult education
- AI automation
- AI implementation
- AI in business
- AI in operations
- AI in Safety
- AI podcast
- AI strategy
- AI transformation
- Alberta safety courses
- Allan James Moore
- artificial intelligence
- asking for help
- audit findings
- audit readiness
- Audit Reporting
- automation in safety
- automation strategy
- avoidable injuries
- awareness
- Aztec Safety
- back strain
- BambooHR integration
- behavior-based safety
- Behavioral Safety
- behavioural safety
- biometric sensors
- BIS Podcast
- BIS Safety Podcasts
- BIS Safety Software
- BIS Safety Spotlight
- black holes
- Blame Culture
- BP Texas City Explosion
- Brave Leadership
- Brett Burkard
- burnout
- business automation
- Canadian OHS
- Canadian safety
- Canadian safety history
- Canadian safety standards
- carbon monoxide
- Carolynne Heron
- CCOHS
- chemical
- chemical vapors
- chronic injuries
- chronic pain
- cloud-based safety tools
- Coming Soon
- community safety programs
- Competency in Safety
- complacency in safety
- Compliance
- compliance courses
- Compliance In Canada
- compliance issues
- Compliance management
- Compliance Reporting
- compliance software
- compliance tools
- compliance tracking
- compliance training
- compliance vs protection
- Construction advocacy
- Construction education
- Construction industry
- construction safety
- construction safety training
- continuous improvement
- continuous safety improvement
- corporate culture
- corporate training
- corrective actions
- crane
- CSA standards
- Customer Spotlight
- Customer Spotlight Kevin Swinden Global Hazmat Safety Culture Hazmat Management Dangerous Goods Competency in Safety Workplace Risk Mitigation BIS Training Clients Canadian EHS
- customized training
- daily trip inspection
- Damage Prevention
- Dangerous Goods
- dangerous goods classification
- Danny Sellers
- data-driven safety
- Decision Analysis
- defect management
- defect tracking
- defensive driving
- DEI in onboarding
- digital compliance
- digital forms
- Digital Hazard Reporting
- Digital Onboarding
- digital safety
- Digital Safety Audits
- Digital safety systems
- digital safety tools
- digital safety transformation
- Digital Training Tools
- digital transformation
- DMS features
- document control
- document management system
- Dr. Joanna Pagonis
- Dr. Tom Krause
- driver file management
- driver training
- driving instructor program
- DTRMS
- e-learning
- e-learning tools
- eadership in safety
- early intervention
- education technology
- EHS
- EHS Adoption
- EHS Compliance
- EHS digital solutions
- EHS Inspections
- EHS Onboarding
- EHS software
- EHS systems
- EHS tools
- Einstein
- electrical safety
- Emergency Action Plan
- emergency preparedness
- emergency response
- emergency supplies
- emotional training
- employee behavior
- employee engagement
- employee health
- Employee onboarding
- Employee Readiness
- employee safety
- employee training
- Energy Isolation
- ergonomic consulting
- ergonomic design
- ergonomic risks
- ergonomics
- Evacuation Procedures
- evidence collection
- EWI Works
- exoskeleton
- exoskeletons
- failure analysis
- fall protection
- fast onboarding
- field experience
- field level hazard assessments
- field safety
- field safety assessments
- field safety leadership
- field safety services
- Field Safety Technology
- Field-Friendly Software
- Fire Drills
- fire prevention
- Fire Safety Training
- first aid kit
- first week on the job
- first workplace injury
- fleet management
- fleet safety
- FLHA engagement
- FLHA Integration
- FLHA software
- FMEA
- freight
- Frontline Engagement
- frontline safety
- fuel handling
- future of work
- Global Hazmat
- global onboarding
- gravitational waves
- gut feeling in safety
- hand injuries
- handling hazardous materials
- hands-on training
- hazard analysis
- hazard assessment compliance
- Hazard Awareness
- hazard communication
- Hazard Identification
- hazard prevention
- hazard recognition
- Hazardous Energy Control
- Hazmat Management
- Health & Safety Podcast
- health and safety
- hearing loss prevention
- hearing protection
- heavy equipment safety
- hidden workplace hazards
- high voltage systems
- HR automation
- HR software
- human factors
- human factors in safety
- human in the loop
- Human Performance
- human vs machine
- human-centered design
- human-centered safety
- humor in safety
- ICBC certification
- identification
- immersive learning
- Imposter Syndrome
- incident data
- incident investigation
- incident prevention
- incident reporting
- industrial AI
- Industrial Hygiene
- industrial safety
- influence vs control
- Infrastructure Risk
- injury consequences
- injury prevention
- injury prevention tips
- injury recovery
- injury reporting
- injury response
- injury response plan
- instructor development
- internal audits
- international workforce
- interpreting safety data
- invisible dangers
- ISO standards
- Jeff Mulligan
- Jennifer Lastra
- job site accountability
- job site hazards
- job site risks
- job site safety
- jobsite readiness
- Jody Young
- KBR Safety Training
- Kevin Swinden
- labor movement
- ladder safety
- Leadership
- leadership accountability
- leadership and empathy
- Leadership in Safety
- Leadership Management
- leadership messaging
- Lean Manufacturing
- Lean Workplace
- learning from incidents
- learning management
- lifting techniques
- LIGO
- Linda Miller
- LMS
- LMS features
- LMS software
- Lock Out Tag Out
- lockout tagout
- lone workers
- LOTO
- machine learning
- Machine Safety
- Maintenance Safety
- mental health at work
- MI Safety
- microlearning
- Mike Schwartz
- minor injuries
- mobile onboarding
- Mobile Safety Apps
- Mobile Safety Platforms
- Mobile Safety Tools
- movement in workplace
- multilingual training
- MyZone AI
- Near Miss Reporting
- new hire experience
- New Hire Safety
- New Worker Training
- new workers
- no-blame investigations
- noise exposure
- nonconformance
- Northern BC
- NRCA
- NSC Standard 13
- occupational fatigue
- occupational hazards
- occupational health
- occupational safety
- occupational therapy
- OH&S
- OHS
- OHSA
- oil and gas safety
- omni-training
- onboarding safety
- Onboarding Software
- online learning
- Online safety training
- operational efficiency
- Operational Excellence
- organizational culture
- organizational safety
- OSHA compliance
- OSHA standards
- outdated practices
- overconfidence
- overhead crane courses
- pain awareness
- personal protective equipment
- Pharmaceutical Safety
- physics careers
- pipeline safety
- podcast
- post-accident review
- post-incident protocol
- PPE
- PPE enforcement
- PPE improvement
- pre-trip inspection
- predictive analytics
- pretrip inspection
- preventive action
- proactive safety
- proactive safety measures.
- Proactive Safety Systems
- process improvement
- Professional development
- propane safety
- propane storage
- protective clothing
- psychological hazards
- psychological safety
- quality control
- quality management
- quality standard
- Real Safety Leadership
- Real-Time Reporting
- real-time safety
- recordkeeping
- regulatory updates
- repetition in safety
- repetitive motion injuries
- respirator safety
- respirators
- risk assessment
- risk management
- risk mitigation
- risk prevention
- Risk Prevention Tools
- risk reduction
- road safety
- Robin Postnikoff
- ROI with AI
- root cause analysis
- root cause correction
- routine task risks
- safe habits
- safe transport
- safe work habits
- safety
- safety accountability
- safety advice
- safety article
- Safety Audit Software
- safety automation
- safety awareness
- safety best practices
- safety communication
- safety compliance
- Safety Conversations
- safety culture
- safety data
- safety data sheets
- safety documentation
- safety engagement
- safety follow-up
- safety gear
- safety gloves
- safety goggles
- safety habits
- safety incentives
- safety innovation
- safety insights
- safety inspection
- safety instinct
- Safety Leaders
- safety leadership
- Safety Leadership Podcast
- safety legislation
- safety lessons
- safety management
- safety management system
- safety management systems
- safety metrics
- safety mindset
- safety motivation.
- safety myths
- safety onboarding
- safety planning
- safety podcast
- safety procedure updates
- Safety Procedures
- safety professionals
- safety reporting
- safety review process
- safety shortcuts
- safety software
- Safety Spotlight
- safety systems
- safety technology
- safety theater
- safety tips
- safety training
- safety transformation
- safety transparency
- Sarah Anderson
- scalable training solutions
- Scott Lyall
- shipping documentation
- silent dangers
- silica dust
- Sinogap Solutions
- slow-building hazards
- smart helmets
- smart PPE
- smart safety systems
- smart safety tools
- space science
- Spencer McDonald
- Standardized Work
- storytelling and safety
- storytelling in safety
- supervisor training
- system safety
- TDG
- team communication
- teamwork
- tech and ergonomics
- tech in safety
- tech-enabled learning
- Thinking Driver
- Titan Environmental
- Total Recordable Injury Formula
- tough guy mentality
- toxic air
- training
- training courses
- Training integration
- training management
- training matrix
- training record management
- training records
- training software
- transportation
- transportation of dangerous goods
- Trust and Accountability
- unseen workplace threats
- user experience
- Utility Safety Partners
- values-based onboarding
- vehicle safety
- version control
- veteran advice
- Virtual Reality
- VR safety training
- VR Technology
- wearable technology
- WHMIS
- witness statements
- women in leadership
- work-alone training
- work-related injuries
- worker accountability
- worker advocacy
- worker fatigue
- worker protection
- worker safety
- worker safety habits
- worker safety tips
- worker trust
- worker wellbeing
- workers' rights
- Workforce Automation
- workforce compliance
- Workforce development
- workforce engagement
- workforce management
- Workforce Readiness
- workforce training
- workplace accidents
- workplace air quality
- workplace best practices
- workplace certification
- workplace compliance
- Workplace Culture
- Workplace Hazard Tracking
- workplace hazards
- workplace health
- workplace incident response
- workplace injuries
- workplace injury prevention
- workplace mindset
- Workplace Organization
- workplace risk factors
- workplace risk management
- Workplace Risk Mitigation
- Workplace safety
- workplace safety culture
- Workplace Safety Leadership
- workplace safety rules
- workplace safety tech
- workplace safety tips
- Workplace Safety Tools
- workplace safety training
- workplace stress
- workplace tiredness
- workplace wellness
- WSPS
Even in a data-driven world, safety instinct still matters. Learn how gut feelings and analytics work together to create deeper,...
In this episode, global safety strategist Shawn Galloway breaks down what it really takes to achieve safety excellence.
Mobile FLHA technology streamlines hazard assessments with real-time tools, offline access, and built-in accountability, right from the field.
