Building Safety in Construction from the Inside Out with Brett Smith
May 29, 2025
What if you could transform workplace safety by focusing on the human side of risk management?
On The Canary Report, host Michael Zalle speaks with Brett Smith, Global Safety Director at Gardner Builders, about transforming safety culture in high-risk construction environments. They discuss mental health support, building trust with subcontractors, and human-centered leadership. Brett shares practical strategies, from transparent communication to OSHA collaboration, that enhance both physical and psychological safety. Discover how humility, assertiveness, and real-time feedback can drive meaningful change in safety programs without sacrificing productivity.
What if you could transform workplace safety by focusing on the human side of risk management?
On The Canary Report, host Michael Zalle speaks with Brett Smith, Global Safety Director at Gardner Builders, about transforming safety culture in high-risk construction environments. They discuss mental health support, building trust with subcontractors, and human-centered leadership. Brett shares practical strategies, from transparent communication to OSHA collaboration, that enhance both physical and psychological safety. Discover how humility, assertiveness, and real-time feedback can drive meaningful change in safety programs without sacrificing productivity.
What you will learn:
- How to implement wellness spaces to support mental health and personal needs on construction sites
- Why transparent leadership and vulnerability are crucial for building trust in safety
- The framework for partnering with OSHA consultation services to improve safety
- How to leverage third-party administrators and safety committees
- Why "root cause analysis" must evolve toward human-centered incident investigation
- The three pillars of effective safety leadership: transparency, assertiveness, and humility
- Building relationships with subcontractors while maintaining safety standards
- The strategy for implementing quarterly standardized safety training programs
Brett Smith is the Global Safety Director at Gardner Builders, a $400M construction firm, where he leads transformative safety and wellness initiatives. With 20+ years of experience across pipeline operations and the trades, Brett pioneers human-centered programs that integrate mental health, transparent leadership, and proactive risk management. His efforts have driven Gardner’s EMR to 0.57, setting a platinum standard in safety. Known for creating innovative jobsite wellness spaces, Brett redefines safety as a strategic, culture-driven partnership rooted in humility and excellence.
Episode Resources:
- Brett Smith on LinkedIn
- Gardner Builders Website
- Michael Zalle on LinkedIn
- Yellow Bird Website
- The Canary Report on Apple Podcasts (add link)
- The Canary Report on Spotify (add link)