Safety starts with us: a safety month conversation with Talos’ Safety Manager
At Talos, safety is more than a program. It’s a reflection of how we care for our people.
As we recognize National Safety Month, we sat down with Safety Manager Mason Hargrove to discuss how Talos has built a strong safety culture, the role employees play in keeping one another safe, and why safety is essential to our purpose of improving lives and loving others.
Building a Safety Culture Through Growth
Over the years, Talos has experienced significant growth, but our commitment to safety has remained constant.
According to Mason, the key is staying proactive.
“We don’t wait for incidents to happen,” he said. "We actively identify risks, engage employees, and continuously improve our processes to keep safety top of mind.”
This proactive approach has helped Talos maintain a strong safety culture while continuing to expand operations across multiple facilities and job sites.
More Than Rules and Regulations
While safety regulations provide important guidelines, Mason believes safety started with people.
“Rules and regulations are important, but we focus on people first,” he explained. “We view our employees as stakeholder, not just workers, and that mindset drives us to genuinely care about their well-being.”
That philosophy influences every safety decision made at Talos. The goal isn’t simply to complete today’s tasks safely, but to ensure employees remain healthy and injury-free throughout their careers.
“Safety is one of the ways we show our employees that we care,” Mason said.
Safety Success Is a Team Effort
One of Talos’ greatest safety accomplishments has been achieving 659 consecutive days injury-free – a milestone that reflects the commitment of the entire organization.
“Our success is entirely driven by employee buy-in,” Mason said. "Their engagement, accountability, and willingness to speak up and take action are what make our safety program effective.”
Leadership also plays a critical role in maintaining a safe workplace.
“Leadership sets the tone by leading through example and clearly communicating expectations,” Mason said. "Accountability at every level helps ensure those standards are upheld every day.”
Working Together to Prevent Incidents
Safety at Talos extends beyond any one department. Whether in fabrication, field services, or the office, teamwork and communication are essential.
“When teams work together to quickly identify and resolve potential hazards, we can prevent issues before they become incidents,” Mason said.
Some of the most effective safety practices are also the most fundamental.
“Proper lifting techniques and situational awareness are critical,” he noted. “Staying alert and using proper body mechanics go a long way in preventing injuries.”
Investing in the Future of Safety
As Talos continues to grow, the company remains committed to investing in workplace safety.
“We continually invest in education by attending safety trainings and industry events,” Mason said. “That helps us stay aligned with evolving best practices and emerging safety technologies.”
One recent initiative Mason is particularly proud of is the company’s Near Miss reporting program.
“The strong adoption of our Near Miss reporting process has helped us proactively address hazards before they become incidents,” he said. “It played a significant role in helping us reach our injury-free milestone.”
Supporting Our Purpose
At Talos, safety is directly linked to our purpose of improving lives and loving others.
“Safety protects people’s wellbeing and preserves their quality of life, not only at work, but at home with their families,” Mason said.
As National Safety Month reminds us, every employee has a role to play in creating a safe workplace.
Mason’s message to the Talos team is simple:
“No amount of time saved, or productivity gained is worth risking your health and safety of our team.”
When we look out for one another and make safety a daily priority, we continue building a workplace where everyone can thrive.