Last month, I followed the third escort car for a wind turbine blade transport. I even had my very own hand-held radio! A logistics company has hired me as a safety consultant to help out with their safety program. It’s a fascinating gig.
Though I’ve consulted for dozens of industries, this is the first time for the wind turbine transport industry. During the past three months, I’ve learned so much. I hung out with the Drivers and Escorts and have learned all kinds of new terminology like “stretching,” “set,” “Steerman,” and “knuckle.” Of course I did more than learn the lingo,
I also did some inspecting, and one of my main objectives was to get to know the Drivers and Escorts and learn about what goes on. (See Pic to the right of me with “Big Mike,” one of the Truck Drivers)
When I first showed up at the yard in Newton Iowa, the Drivers and Escorts were a bit standoffish. “Here comes this guy they don’t know, with a shiny new blue hard hat and is a safety inspector.”
But it didn’t take long for everyone to warm up. I had fun, we laughed, and it was a productive time. I was impressed at the skill and planning it takes to transport a blade across roads. Of course, you have to plan the trip several weeks in advance.
How do you get a crew to warm up to you quickly and become a temporary friend even if you are the safety guy or gal? (A group of Drivers and Escorts in a transport are called a “Set.”)
Here are three social skills I use which never fail:
1) Care about the person you’re talking with. For real. Not just to get something out of them. I learned all kinds of personal things about the Drivers and Escorts. Nothing intrusive. But stuff about their life not just what they do at work. With practice and sincerity, you can become a friend in a few moments.
2) Lighten up and use humor. Because of my history as a speaker and my natural propensity to be a jokester, it’s easy for me to get people to laugh or at least smile inside. But even if you are not so jovial, you can still lighten up and look for ways to get other people to smile.
For example, one of the Drivers had a small grill in his truck. A couple of the Escorts and other Drivers jokingly said they didn’t want to eat anything from his grill because he didn’t clean it enough. A bit later, I mentioned that I noticed a serious violation which I will need to include in my final report.
Thinking I was serious and concerned about the infringement, two Drivers, including the one with the grill, asked, “What’s the violation?” I said it was a Level-4 OSHA dirty-grill violation that needed rectifying immediately.”
We laughed hard over that.
3) Let everyone know you’re there to help, not find fault. After working with the Drivers and Escorts in Newton, each person I interacted with knew I was there mostly to help, not find fault. I also always make sure I ask for suggestions and show upbeat gratitude when I get them. I’m going to send some of the Truck Drivers and Escorts a “Safety Rocks” T-shirt to show my appreciation for their help and suggestions.
I’ll be working with the same Drivers and Escorts on future jobs. Now that I’ve laid the groundwork, we’ll be “friends” as soon as we meet next time!
Be sure to visit my store—“Richard Hawk’s Fun Safety Products.” I’ve upgraded it and added all kinds of helpful downloads and a few new “Safety Themed” T-shirts and mugs. This one is my favorites: 
