The Canary Report: Episode 1 - Brett Smith
Safety leadership is changing—and The Canary Report is here to lead the conversation.
On this episode of The Canary Report, host Michael Zalle speaks with Brett Smith, Global Safety Director at Gardner Builders, about transforming safety culture in high-risk construction environments.
Wellness Spaces That Restore Dignity and Productivity
One of Brett's most powerful innovations at Gardner Builders is the creation of dedicated wellness spaces on job sites. In an industry where the “car office” or porta-potty has long been the only option for privacy, Brett saw an opportunity to reimagine how job sites can support workers' personal and mental health needs.
Starting with portable pods and evolving into fully equipped rooms, these wellness spaces are designed to provide a quiet, dignified place for workers to make a personal call, take a break, or tend to medical needs. Outfitted with comfortable furnishings and key amenities, these rooms help reduce stress, increase focus, and signal to workers that their well-being matters.
While the idea initially faced skepticism and some stigma, Brett and his team stayed committed. Now, Gardner Builders is expanding to 25 wellness spaces across projects, a clear statement of their long-term investment in worker wellbeing.
Strategic Safety Partnerships with OSHA and Industry Peers
Another standout theme from the episode is Gardner Builders’ collaborative approach to regulation and oversight. Instead of seeing state OSHA consultation services as adversaries, Brett has welcomed them as strategic partners. By inviting OSHA consultants to provide on-site training and guidance, Gardner has created a culture where continuous improvement and open feedback are embraced, not feared.
But the collaboration doesn’t stop there. Brett also highlighted how Gardner actively shares insights and best practices with other general contractors and industry organizations. This peer-based knowledge sharing breaks down competitive barriers and fosters a culture of mutual growth, especially regarding emerging challenges like mental health.
“When it comes to safety and wellness, we’re all in this together,” Brett said. “There’s no competitive edge in hoarding knowledge. Real progress happens when we collaborate.”
Bottom-Up Safety Leadership Through Empowered Committees
One of the most unique and effective strategies Gardner Builders has implemented is the empowerment of their internal safety committees. Rather than handing down mandates from the top, Gardner empowers frontline workers to help design, shape, and implement safety programs based on real field experience.
These committees meet regularly and share insights across projects, helping to identify patterns, challenges, and scalable solutions. Whether it’s implementing mental health initiatives or refining daily hazard assessments, this bottom-up leadership model drives better adoption and long-term cultural change.
“We listen to the people doing the work,” Brett explained. “They know what’s happening on the ground, and their input makes our programs stronger.”
The Three Pillars of Safety Leadership
At the heart of Brett’s approach to safety is his belief in the three pillars of effective leadership: transparency, assertiveness, and humility.
- Transparency means being honest about the limitations or challenges of safety standards and working collaboratively to overcome them.
- Assertiveness involves taking decisive action when necessary, even when it means making tough calls for the sake of safety.
- Humility creates space for feedback, learning, and growth. It invites team members to speak up, share concerns, and participate in solutions.
Together, these pillars have helped Brett and his team achieve a remarkable EMR of 0.57, far exceeding industry averages and demonstrating the impact of values-driven leadership.
“These aren’t just soft skills, they’re strategic,” Brett said. “They build trust, reduce incidents, and create a culture where people want to do the right thing.”
Why This Matters
Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries in the world. However, as Brett shows, meaningful change doesn’t have to come from complex systems or rigid rules; it can start with listening, leading with empathy, and making space for people to be human at work.
From wellness rooms to collaborative OSHA partnerships, from frontline-led safety committees to emotionally intelligent leadership, this episode of The Canary Report paints a compelling vision of what the future of safety can look like, one that balances performance with humanity.
As Michael Zalle reflects in the episode, “What Brett is doing at Gardner Builders isn’t just best practice—it’s the blueprint for how we build workplaces that work for everyone.”
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode

This episode is a must-listen if you're a safety leader, construction executive, or anyone passionate about workplace wellbeing.
Brett Smith is the Global Safety Director at
Gardner Builders, a $400M construction firm, where he leads transformative safety and wellness initiatives. With 20+ years of experience across pipeline operations and the trades, Brett pioneers human-centered programs that integrate mental health, transparent leadership, and proactive risk management. His efforts have driven Gardner’s EMR to 0.57, setting a platinum standard in safety. Known for creating innovative jobsite wellness spaces, Brett redefines safety as a strategic, culture-driven partnership rooted in humility and excellence.
