David Cant

Redefining risk management for construction SMEs. Safety professional - more coach than referee. Bald by design, bearded by choice. Always curious!

[David Cant @davidgcant]

SM: “We haven't had an incident in 18 months."

Me: “How many near misses have been recorded?”

“None”, he said.

Me: “That doesn't mean they're not happening”

SM: Silence.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

Out of office.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

A client asked me if RAMS are “really necessary” for a two-day job. Told him the paperwork isn’t the point. The five minutes you spend thinking it through is the point. The document’s just proof you did.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

Good morning leaders. No one remembers the generic site induction - it’s a yawn fest. But they’ll remember the one thing you said that made them stop and think. Aim for that.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

@RichFromRail Hope it wasn’t anything too serious.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

A novel piece of everyday city of london history - a vintage intercom-style speakerplate where a caller (like a night porter or delivery person) rings the bell and speaks through the horn-shaped tube.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

@DSPnewstart I like that, something to diffuse an issue but useful.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

An open-door policy means people will tell you the truth.

No it doesn’t.

Walking through that door still means someone risks being seen as the complainer. If you want the truth, go get it - walk the floor, ask specific people specific questions.

Don’t wait for it to knock.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

A scaffolder today said I was “sensible and practical”… I wasn't gonna argue.

[Global Safety Directory @PPEorg]

Super insight from a seasoned safety pro ⤵️

[David Cant @davidgcant]

I think every business should have one person whose job is to question the status quo occasionally… “Why do we do things this way?”

[David Cant @davidgcant]

I've noticed businesses spend so much time trying out new safety initiatives, programs, posters, and policies.

But your workers aren't thinking about any of that.

They're comparing every daily experience in their workplace. The director who stops to talk with them. The manager who fixed a problem without being asked. The leader who makes them feel valued.

That's the culture you want to build, whether you mean to or not. Keep it simple.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

@TheInkWhispers Interesting point.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

Safety management changes when you stop asking, “Why are you doing it like that?” and start asking, “What can we do to make things better here?”

The first question creates a defensive response. The second creates an opportunity for improvement.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

@eny_codes You got it, especially when you give a voice and help with buy in.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

Good times!

[David Cant @davidgcant]

@seoliphant @deadliftblue This place was once known as the Bird app. Do like the Merlin version though.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

@tweettowoo Think you might be right. Though they aren't always doing the right thing, it's often the opposite when stuff hits the fan.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

Dear Construction,

If your safety strategy is lengthy site inductions, checklists, PPE enforcement, and toolbox talks with nothing to do with the actual tasks - congratulations, you’ve built a paper trail, not a safety culture.

Sincerely, The Working People.

[David Cant @davidgcant]

@PaulCadmanUK Have you been to the Buza bars on the wall and watched the cliff divers?