ARLINGTON, Texas—Matt Hathaway is one of hundreds of co-op safety professionals who took a rare break from the daily grind to attend the NRECA Safety Leadership Summit for the first time this year.

“This is all new to me, but I’m really excited,” said the safety training instructor at the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperative’s Training Center, after the first general session. “I’ve had some great conversations about what folks are doing, what works in keeping people safe and what isn’t working.”

That kind of positive energy was noticeable throughout the April 22-24 conference at the Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center, which drew a record crowd of more than 1,000—half of them first-time attendees—representing more than 400 co-ops in 47 states.

“Safety is more on people’s minds than it ever has been. It's not just something we're talking about. It's happening throughout our co-ops, and it seems to be moving in a positive direction,” said NRECA Safety Director Ken Macken.

This year’s packed breakout sessions and safety improvement talks are a sign that co-ops are building a deeper collective understanding about what keeps people safe on the job. Nationwide, co-ops are looking at how to engage with the growing numbers of Gen Z workers joining their ranks, especially as Gen X and Baby Boomers retire.

During “Boots on the Ground,” a panel of journeymen-turned-foremen discussed resisting the temptation of talking down to younger workers.

“Instead of shouting orders, keep an open mind and listen to what they have to say. They might teach you something,” said Bryan Stockwell, Missouri substation technician at KAMO Power, headquartered in Vinita, Oklahoma.

While many of the breakouts focused on leadership development, others described ways to build strong peer networks to cultivate safety cultures. In New Mexico, co-ops recognize exemplary peers with the Long Rope Safety Attitude Award. The program includes a lengthy process in which workers reflect on their own attitudes toward safety before submitting nominations.

“Recognition from peers is a powerful incentive,” said Cade Standifer, director of safety and loss control for New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperatives in Santa Fe. “Leadership is important, but you also need buy-in from the ranks. They’re carrying the flag for safety.”

Other sessions took on sensitive subjects that may not have been on the agenda five years ago but have huge safety ramifications. Mental health was the focus of “Fit for Duty: A Critical Conversation for Work Readiness.” Co-op officials and a company culture consultant discussed the importance of building trust through relationships to ensure crews have the right mindset to perform high-risk tasks safely.

“Do your own people trust you enough to tell you they’re struggling with something?” said speaker Clinton Smith, assistant manager at Callaway Electric Cooperative, based in Fulton, Missouri. “Find ways to build trust every day.”

During the summit, co-op leaders and safety professionals shared personal stories of vulnerability and humility on the job and their own self-improvement efforts. The result: better relationships and engagement with crews and a stronger safety culture.

That candor was also on display among general session speakers, including decorated fighter pilot and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman, who’s flown 65 combat missions. Waldman told the audience about a key moment in his career when he was late for squadron duty and expected his superior, nicknamed “Psycho,” to chew him out.

“Instead, he said, ‘This isn’t like you. Is everything OK at home? Do you need a day off?’ He realized I had a life outside of work, and he acknowledged me as a person,” Waldman said. “I was shocked. How do you think my loyalty was to Psycho? I worked harder for him and worked every crummy job. I became better.”