How can an RSO best promote a culture of safety at the range?

An RSO (Range Safety Officer) can best promote a culture of safety at the range by actively engaging with shooters and discussing safety principles. This approach fosters an environment of open communication and education, allowing shooters to understand the importance of safety practices and encouraging them to internalize safe behaviors.

Active engagement involves not just overseeing compliance with safety rules, but also explaining the rationale behind those rules, sharing best practices, and addressing any concerns that shooters may have. This interaction helps to create a community of shared responsibility for safety, where shooters feel knowledgeable and empowered to make safe choices. When RSOs make safety a collaborative effort, they can significantly enhance the overall safety culture, leading to a more vigilant and responsible range environment.

On the other hand, simply enforcing rules only when necessary may lead to inconsistencies in safety practices, while harsh reprimands might instill fear rather than understanding. Minimizing the visibility of safety equipment could undermine the very safety culture the RSO is trying to promote by creating a perception that safety is not a priority. Actively discussing and engaging with shooters about safety principles is the most effective way to establish and maintain a strong culture of safety at the range.