Episode 19 - Phil Walton - Turning Knowledge into Action in Construction

“Don't tell, ask, because questions are like keys. They unlock things and they'll open doors. When you tell, you lose the ability to do that.” – Phil Walton

In this episode of Building Stories - The Podcast, powered by Deep Space, we sit down with Phil Walton, a safety and risk specialist with over 20 years of experience across construction, infrastructure, and public sectors.

Phil dives into the critical role of safety and risk management in an evolving industry, highlighting the challenges of knowledge loss as experienced workers near retirement. He explores practical approaches to capturing tacit knowledge, the importance of consultation and co-design, and why embedding safety into organisational culture is vital for future success.

From navigating complex safety environments to sharing lessons on resilience and risk mitigation, Phil’s insights provide a powerful blueprint for leaders looking to drive safer, smarter workplaces.

Key Sections:

Early Inspiration: Castles, Lego & Safety Foundations – 02:38 Resilience and Lessons from Career Challenges – 14:30 The Growing Risk of Knowledge Loss in Safety – 23:09 Practical Steps for Future-Proofing Safety Practices – 29:28 The Role of Consultation in Risk Management – 40:33 Quick Fire Round: Tools, Insights, and Christmas Plans – 46:41

Building Stories is powered by Deep Space – Mission Critical Construction AI.