April 06 2026
By: Shawn M. Galloway
The "Broken Windows" theory says something simple: small signs of disorder can invite bigger disorder. A broken window left unrepaired tells people, "No one's paying attention. Standards are optional." 
Now translate that theory to workplace safety, and it helps us better understand normalization of deviance. A missing guard that stays missing. A bypassed procedure that gets laughed off. A near miss that never gets discussed. PPE rules that depend on who's watching.
Those are broken windows. And they do not stay small. They train the organization on what is tolerated, and tolerance becomes culture. Here's the uncomfortable part: most serious injuries are not born from one big decision. They come from a series of small permissions that have become the norm.
What "small" safety issues are you allowing because fixing them feels inconvenient?
Pick one broken window this week. Fix it fast. Publicly. Then explain why. When people see standards restored, they start restoring them too.
Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety, is an expert in safety excellence. With almost thirty years of experience, he is a highly sought-after advisor, keynote speaker, and expert witness. Shawn has become a trusted partner to leading organizations across various industries worldwide. He ranks in the top 1% of the most prolific writers in his field, having authored over 500 articles and several bestselling books. He also launched the world's first safety podcast, Safety Culture Excellence©. As a recognized authority in safety, Shawn has received awards such as being named among the Top 50 People Who Most Influence EHS and a Top 10 Speaker, among others.
He is a regular guest on Bloomberg, Fox News, The Daily Mail, Dubai One, U.S. News & World Report, Sirius Business Radio, Wharton Business Daily, and leading safety magazines and podcasts. Shawn also serves as a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Forbes Business Council, and Fast Company Executive Board, enabling his influence to shape safety thinking and strategy at the executive level.
