Safety Culture Transformation Case Study
(presented as a business case)
From “Expected Fatalities” to Zero Harm Through Ownership-Driven Leadership
Case Snapshot
Service: Safety Culture Transformation
Industry: Large-scale industrial construction (LNG power plant)
Core Issue: “Expected fatalities” treated as normal business risk
Outcome: Project delivered on time, on budget, with zero fatalities and no permanent injuries
The Situation
Jim, a project leader, was responsible for overseeing construction of one of the largest liquid natural gas power plants on the U.S. West Coast. Because of the project’s size and complexity, insurance and risk actuaries were brought in to estimate the financial exposure of key risks—including worker injury.
During a pre-construction meeting, the insurers stated that for a project of this type and magnitude, the team should budget for two fatalities. The discussion moved forward as if this were standard planning.
The Challenge
High-risk industrial and construction projects often normalize serious harm as unavoidable—especially at scale. When leadership accepts that assumption, teams default to compliance, not ownership, and critical risks remain under-controlled.
What was happening:
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Fatality risk was treated as a statistical inevitable
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Controls were budgeted to “manage,” not eliminate, life-threatening exposures
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Safety outcomes were viewed as a cost line item vs. an operational expectation
Why This Matters for Safety Culture Transformation
This case is a clear example of how safety culture changes when leadership changes the standard:
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Ownership means outcomes matter—not just checking boxes
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Expectations define behavior—especially under pressure
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When leaders refuse to normalize harm, teams redesign work to prevent it
The Insight
Safety systems matter—but they fail without ownership. Ownership is the point where “we don’t like this” becomes “this is unacceptable—and we act.”
The leadership shift:
Instead of accepting “two deaths,” the question became:
“What do we have to change so everyone goes home alive?”
That change in expectation drove different decisions, different controls, and a different culture.
Recommended Solution
To make zero fatalities a realistic expectation, the team implemented redesigned processes and stronger controls, including:
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Higher-rigor planning for high-risk work
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Upgraded methods and safeguards (often more expensive)
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Schedule and budget adjustments aligned to risk reality
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Leadership accountability for outcomes, not activity
The proposal required millions in added investment, but leadership approved it because the logic was undeniable: life was non-negotiable.
Results
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Zero fatalities
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No permanent injuries
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Delivered on time
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Delivered on budget
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Established a site-wide standard: safety is owned at every level, not hoped for
This outcome wasn’t produced by money alone. It was driven by raised expectations, leadership courage, and a shared commitment that life-altering harm would be an unacceptable surprise.
Key Takeaways for Safety Professionals
This case reinforces a critical truth: culture drives outcomes.
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Written programs are necessary—but not sufficient
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Leader actions reveal real organizational values
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A common language creates clarity, coordination, and accountability
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Safety becomes sustainable when employees move from “comply” to “own”
How SafePath Solutions Helps You Apply This Program
Safety Culture Transformation (Ownership-Based Model)
SafePath Solutions works with leaders and teams to build safety ownership that shows up in daily execution—especially where risk is highest.
Typical engagement components:
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Leadership alignment & expectation reset (define “unacceptable surprises”)
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Critical risk control redesign (SIF prevention focus)
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Supervisor coaching & field routines (pre-job briefs, verification, learning reviews)
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Accountability systems (measuring actions and outcomes)
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Contractor alignment (shared standards, verification, consequences)
Ready to Build a Strong Safety Culture?
If your safety program looks solid but results are flat, it’s time to focus on
Safety Leadership and Safety Culture Transformation.
Talk to SafePath Solutions to strengthen leadership behaviors, align values, and create measurable, lasting safety performance.