New crew came to site after orientation I mentioned to the foreman, in private, not to forget to fill something out, that he had forgotten on a previous project.
A little while later, I heard him refer to me as the “Safety Dick.” to his crew, they laughed, then I laughed, then they turned around and saw me. I laughed some more.
I do not think we were laughing for the same reason.
The foreman was hurt that I had reminded him about documentation, I had done it in private to preserve his ego, but that did not work. He thought he was too good at what he did to be reminded, he saw himself as a leader par excellence.
When the foreman insulted me he was showing poor safety leadership. He was telling his crew that they should ignore me and only pay attention to what he was saying. This also sends a message that what I do, safety, does not matter.
This put a lot more pressure on his shoulders than he was ready for, he kicked me off of his team, my support, even thought he has it, he can not use.
He is going to find it lonely at the top.
