Stop-Work Leadership
The Response to a Stop-Work Call Determines Whether People Speak Up Again
Stop-work authority is only credible when the person who raises a concern is treated with respect. A defensive reaction may silence the next warning, even if today’s concern is eventually resolved. Leaders should make the safe pause visible, examine the condition with the work party and communicate what must be verified before the task resumes.
Controls to confirm
- Pause the affected activity promptly and acknowledge the concern without blame, ridicule or pressure to continue.
- Bring the relevant people to the worksite, confirm the actual condition and reassess the task whenever the hazard, scope or controls have changed.
- Record the agreed correction and authorise restart only after the work party understands the revised controls and confirms readiness to proceed.
Today’s action
At today’s toolbox talk, ask one team member to describe how a stop-work concern will be received, assessed and closed before restart.
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