In this episode, we talk with Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety, about how leadership drives construction safety culture across teams and why that can determine structural success or failure. We cover insights from major builds, how military values shape site safety leadership, and ways structural engineers lead safety—even remotely.
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Shawn Galloway:
- On major projects like the Houston airport expansion, what’s your approach to setting construction safety culture priorities from day one?
- In roles where structural engineers aren’t physically present on site, how can they still demonstrate strong safety ownership in engineering?
- What strategies help engage large teams early in the planning process to ensure alignment of safety goals in construction?
- How do you sustain a construction safety culture across all project phases, especially when teams and conditions change?
- What can individuals at the field level do to influence leadership and elevate safety on a project?
- Which safety challenges in construction are most common, and how can early design choices help mitigate them?
- How has your military background influenced the way you approach site safety leadership in your work?
- On large projects with multiple contractors and teams, how do you build true shared safety ownership in construction?
- When budgets are tight, what’s the most effective way to show that investing in construction risk mitigation adds real value?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Structural Engineers Strengthen Construction Safety Culture:
- Every successful safety effort begins by defining what success looks like beyond avoiding injuries. Teams set clear expectations, involve key stakeholders, and establish feedback loops to guide decisions from day one.
- Structural engineers lead by consistently elevating safety in conversations, documentation, and decision-making. Being intentional about their role, even from a distance, helps align field conditions with design intent.
- Engagement starts when people are invited to contribute their input and perspectives at the beginning. Involving those closest to the work leads to stronger alignment and more meaningful ownership.
- Sustaining a construction safety culture requires consistent messaging, visible leadership, and clear expectations at every stage. Communication and accountability remain steady even when team members rotate or site conditions shift.
- Field professionals lead by example and build trust through consistent, informed actions. Asking thoughtful questions and forming strong relationships helps bring attention to safety from the ground up.
- Common challenges include poor communication, incorrect assumptions, and errors in load paths or materials. Proactive safety planning and coordination reduce risk before construction begins.
- Military experience reinforces the value of discipline, preparedness, and accountability across teams. It shapes a mindset where safety and mission success both depend on shared responsibility and clarity.
- Shared ownership happens when each contractor feels connected to the overall goal and understands why safety matters. Giving people a voice and space to contribute creates stronger alignment and commitment.
- Strong safety performance signals healthy leadership and reliable project delivery. Demonstrating how safety links to schedule, quality, and cost helps decision-makers see it as essential rather than optional.
More Details in This Episode…
About Shawn Galloway:
Shawn is the CEO of the global consultancy ProAct Safety and has over 20 years of experience in safety systems, strategy, culture, leadership, and employee engagement. He is a trusted advisor, keynote speaker, and expert witness, having delivered keynote speeches worldwide. As the author of several bestselling books, he has written over 400 articles published and contributed to leading safety magazines. He also hosts the Safety Culture Excellence podcast.
A U.S. Army veteran, Shawn spent years in the military and public service, including time in the National Guard. His experience in high-risk environments has given him a deep understanding of leadership, discipline, and the importance of a strong safety culture.
As a leading and globally recognized expert on safety excellence, he has helped hundreds of organizations within every major industry achieve and sustain excellence in performance and culture. Through Shawn’s consulting efforts, he has personally worked with organizations such as Alcoa, Amway, ARAMARK, BAE Systems, Baker Hughes, Bayer-Monsanto, BHP Billiton, Boeing, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, CF Industries, ChevronPhillips, Cummins, Eastman Chemical, ExxonMobil, FMC, Georgia-Pacific, Herman Miller, Honda, Ingersoll Rand,
International Paper, John Deere, Kiewit, Koch Industries, Martin Marietta Materials, Memorial Hermann, MD Anderson, Moog, Merck, National Institutes of Health, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Newell Rubbermaid, ONEOK, Peabody, Petroleum Development Oman, Rockwell Automation, Saint-Gobain, Sandia National Laboratories, Southern Company, Starbucks, Timken, United States Capital, United States Armed Forces, Wrigley, Xcel Energy, and over a hundred similar international organizations.
He has been an interviewee and guest on Fox News, EHS Network Radio, Safety and Health Magazine, EHS Today Magazine, ISHN Magazine, Safety Decisions Magazine, EHS Daily Advisor, Faces of EHS, Wild World of Safety Podcast, EHS Daily Advisor Podcast, Utility Safety Podcast, The Case for Safety Podcast, Occupational Safety Leadership Podcast, On the Safe Side Podcast, Healthbeat Podcast, The Great Conversation Podcast, True Safety Podcast, RedRisks Podcast, and Safety Culture Solutions Podcast.
Shawn’s passion, dedication, influence, and significant contributions to the safety field have been widely recognized. He has received numerous awards and accolades, including Global Safety Excellence Expert, Power 101 Leaders of the EHS World, Top 50 People Who Most Influenced EHS, Top 40 Rising Stars, and Top 11 Health and Safety Influencers. His status as an esteemed Avetta Distinguished Fellow further underscores his expertise and makes his perspectives globally sought after.
About the Hosts
Mathew Picardal, P.E., SE
Mathew is a licensed engineer, practicing on structural projects in California, with an undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Pomona and an M.S. in Structural Engineering from UC San Diego. He has designed and managed various types of building structures, including residential wood apartment buildings, commercial steel buildings, concrete parking structures and towers. He also hosts the new YouTube channel “Structural Engineering Life,” through which he promotes the structural engineering profession to engineering students who are not familiar with the industry perspective.
Alexander Daddow, PE, CDT
Alex Daddow is a registered professional engineer in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming. He graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in architectural engineering. Before joining Simpson Strong-Tie in 2019, Alex was a consulting engineer working on podium structures, custom housing, bridges, historic retrofits, schools, and advanced foundation systems. He is now a senior strengthening solutions engineer and educates the industry on composite systems throughout the Pacific and Western regions. Alex also works directly with specifiers, installers, contractors, and plan reviewers, assisting them with the technical aspects of designing and building composite strengthening systems.
Books Mentioned in This Episode:
Steps to Safety Culture Excellence
Shared Ownership: Engaging with Subcultures
Sources/References:
ProAct Safety
Fluor
Facebook
Boeing
Houston Airport System
Transocean
BP (British Petroleum)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Connect with Shawn Galloway on LinkedIn
AEC PM Certification
AEC PM Connect
Project Management Accelerator™
Engineering Leadership Accelerator™
Keynote Speaking
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