The ‘Golden Rules’ of Industrial Safety… And Why Most Don’t Stick

Written By Paul Sparks

Every company has them… "Golden Rules" of safety. They’re posted in lunchrooms, printed on badges, and repeated in onboarding. Don’t walk and text. Lock it out. Report hazards.

But just because it’s called a "golden rule" doesn’t mean it’s followed.

Rules Without Reinforcement Fade Fast

Golden Rules fail when:

  • They’re handed down without context

  • There’s no follow-through or coaching

  • Supervisors don’t model them

  • They conflict with production pressures

In other words, when they’re treated like marketing, not management.

Want Them to Stick? Make Them Real

Golden Rules only work when they’re:

  • Grounded in real risks from your site

  • Backed by consistent enforcement (with real accountability)

  • Tied to decision-making and supervisor discretion

  • Simple enough to remember, but meaningful enough to matter

Example: A Better Golden Rule

Instead of: "Always wear proper PPE" Try: "No gloves, no tools. Stop and report."

It’s actionable, unambiguous, and gives power to stop the job.

Golden Rules work when they’re more than posters, they need to be lived.

Paul Sparks
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