For Lonnie J. Stephenson, safety isn’t just about following rules—it’s about looking out for others.

Stephenson is director of safety at Adman Electric Co. Inc., Chattanooga, Tenn. He is responsible for developing and implementing safety programs that protect workers, ensure compliance and foster a proactive safety culture.

With a background as a journeyman electrician, Stephenson understands the hazards of the trade firsthand. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health, equipping him with advanced skills in risk management, regulatory compliance and workplace safety strategies. In addition, Stephenson holds the graduate safety practitioner and construction health and safety technician certifications, both awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. He is also among the 2024 graduating class of the NECA Safety Professionals Institute.

Why did you get into the safety profession?

One of the most effective safety practices at Adman Electric is fostering a proactive safety culture. This starts with pretask planning, where crews assess potential hazards before beginning work to mitigate risks.

Weekly safety meetings help keep safety top of mind, ensuring continuous awareness and discussion of best practices. Encouraging reporting is also a key component, as we strive to create an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting hazards or near-misses without fear of punishment.

Hands-on training further strengthens our approach by ensuring that employees not only understand safety rules but also know how to apply them in real-world scenarios. Additionally, recognizing positive safety behavior reinforces good habits, promoting a culture where safety is valued and consistently practiced rather than merely enforced.

What are some effective safety practices at Adman Electric?

Often, the most effective safety practices happen long before we reach a job site or train a tradesperson. Project selection, hiring and placement practices, tool selection and maintenance practices, prefabrication and assembly, project design or getting estimating involved early to plan—all of these things happen before anyone arrives on site or dons PPE or does a pretask plan or toolbox talk or other training. This is “sneaky safety”—reducing the risk to folks without them even knowing it.

Is there a specific injury or almost-injury that changed how you thought about safety on the job?

There have been several incidents over the years that reinforced the importance of safety, but one that stands out involved a worker who nearly fell from an elevated platform because his fall protection wasn’t properly secured. The incident could have been fatal, but a co-worker noticed the issue just moments before the accident. 

That moment drove home the idea that safety isn’t just about following rules—it’s about looking out for each other. It also emphasized the importance of hands-on training and verifying that workers fully understand and properly use their safety equipment. 

What challenges do you face in managing safety responsibilities for your company?

One of the biggest challenges is overcoming complacency. When crews work in the same environment every day, it’s easy for them to develop a false sense of security and start cutting corners.

Another challenge is balancing productivity with safety—there’s always pressure to meet deadlines, but safety can’t be sacrificed for the sake of speed. Ensuring that leadership and workers alike are fully engaged in the safety process is an ongoing effort.

How do you get crews to take safety seriously?

Leading by example is crucial because if management doesn’t take safety seriously, workers won’t either. It’s also important to make safety personal by reminding workers that it’s not just about following regulations—it’s about ensuring they go home safely to their families every day. Using real-world examples, such as sharing stories of incidents and near-misses, helps make the risks feel more tangible and reinforces why safety matters.

Recognizing and rewarding safe behavior is another key strategy, as positive reinforcement helps build a strong safety culture. Additionally, involving crews in safety discussions and asking for their input keeps them engaged and invested in maintaining a safe work environment.

Do you have any advice for safety professionals?

Never stop learning. Safety regulations and best practices evolve, so staying informed is key. Build relationships with the crews. Workers are more likely to listen to safety professionals they trust and respect. Don’t just focus on compliance. True safety is about changing mindsets, not just checking boxes.

Encourage open communication. If workers feel comfortable discussing safety concerns, you’ll prevent more incidents. Be patient but persistent. Care for your people and make sure they know you care. Changing a company’s safety culture takes time, but the results are worth it.