The Nothing Will Go Wrong Myth and Why It’s Costing Lives
Complacency is a killer. Yet in many workplaces, it’s hiding in plain sight, disguised as experience. Some employees convince themselves that they’re too smart, too skilled, or too seasoned to fall victim to a serious accident. They’ve cut corners before and got away with it—so they figure they always will.
But that logic doesn’t hold. Complacency feeds risk. And risk doesn’t care how many years you’ve been on the job.
“When I was younger, it was usually the guy who had injured himself and he became the safety guy. It was like drawing the short straw. But safety has really grown since then.” — Allan James Moore, HSE Leader
Experience Isn’t a Free Pass
Many workers begin to believe their track record makes them immune. They’ve handled power tools, scaled ladders, or worked in confined spaces hundreds of times without incident. But time spent doing a job doesn’t eliminate danger—it only raises the stakes when people start ignoring it.
“Confidence isn’t the problem. Complacency is. People start thinking, ‘I’ve done this a thousand times.’ That’s when things go wrong.” — Jeff Mulligan, COO, Aztec Safety
Safety isn’t about how long you’ve avoided disaster. It’s about preventing the one moment you don’t. It only takes one lapse, one missed step, one false assumption.
“A fellow had given a safety talk on fall protection… the next day, he didn’t do what he’d advised. He fell off and impaled himself on rebar. Everyone who saw or heard about it was affected.” — Jeff Mulligan
The Real Face of Complacency
It rarely looks like negligence. It often looks like convenience: skipping goggles “just this once,” unplugging a lockout device for a “quick check,” or assuming a near-miss means the risk wasn’t real. And this subtle erosion of standards spreads—especially when it starts with the most experienced people on site.
“You can have the best systems, the best equipment… but if people don’t feel empowered to use them, you’ll always struggle to be safe.” — Dr. Johanna Pagonis
What starts as an individual decision becomes a cultural pattern—one where safety rules are seen as optional, and cutting corners is the norm.
“They see safety as an impediment, something to work around. But if they’re proud of their programs, if they care deeply—then culture changes.” — Jeff Mulligan
You Don’t Get to Opt Out of Risk
No one is beyond reach. Accidents don’t check your resume. From defective gear to unpredictable human error, risk is everywhere. It’s not a question of if something will go wrong—it’s whether your team is ready when it does.
“Safety isn’t just about protecting your body—it’s about caring for the people around you. If not, you’ll always find ways to cut corners.” — Dr. Johanna Pagonis
Creating a Culture That Rejects Complacency
Safety leaders can shift the mindset, but it takes intention. A rulebook isn’t enough—you need behavior, communication, and reinforcement.
“Lead with the heart. Ground safety in emotional intelligence. On some level, you have to care about your fellow human being.” — Dr. Johanna Pagonis
“We often only get the wake-up call after something terrible happens. The key is to instill safety before the cost is human.” — Jeff Mulligan
Here’s what works:
- Share stories that make risk real, especially involving veterans of the job.
- Show that leadership isn’t above the rules—if anything, they’re under the microscope.
- Intervene when someone shrugs off safe practices. Complacency needs confrontation.
- Tie safety to personal stakes: families, futures, teammates.
- Make training ongoing, not a checkbox.
- Ensure feedback systems are in place so hazards can be surfaced without fear.
Final Word: Don’t Let Time Be Your Blindfold
The longer someone has worked without an accident, the more dangerous it becomes to assume that streak will continue. Overconfidence dulls caution. And eventually, the odds catch up.
There are two paths: actively building a safety-first culture—or learning through loss. The second one is permanent.
Stay vigilant. Because it can happen. Even to you.
