Your Safety Net for Nearly 100 Years

Prevention First. Protection Always.

Explore Our Prevention First Strategy
Men walking on a suspended bridge with safety nets underneath, during the construction of the Golden Gate bridge.

Learn more about the first safety net.

The safety net in our logo isn’t just a design—it’s a promise.

Inspired by the first safety net used during construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, it symbolizes trust, protection, and the courage to do things differently.

For nearly a century, Watson & Knox has been that safety net for our clients. But we don’t just respond to risks—we work to prevent them first.

Our “Prevent First” approach flips the traditional insurance model on its head. By investing in proactive safety and risk management strategies, we help protect your people, your assets, and your future—before a claim ever needs to be filed.

Because real protection isn’t reactive. It’s intentional.

Client Success

“Reaching OSHA SHARP designation was a proud achievement for our company, and the journey was made smoother thanks to our partnership with Watson & Knox’s Risk Management team…”

-Josh Stephens, Managing Partner | Heart Wood Products

Three men in a garage, looking at a computer screen. One man in a light blue shirt and cap points upward. A large Ford truck is behind them.

Risk Management & Safety Consulting

At Watson & Knox, we believe proactive risk management is the foundation of a safer, more resilient business. Our Prevention First strategy helps clients reduce risk, prevent claims, and strengthen safety cultures—making them more attractive to insurance carriers while protecting what matters most.

Led by Van Langham, CSP, our team delivers hands-on support tailored to your industry and operational needs.

Services we offer include…

Workplace Safety Evaluations

We provide comprehensive on-site safety inspections designed to strengthen your workplace from every angle:

    • Encourage safer work practices through observation, feedback, and proactive engagement.

    • Build stronger, more safety-focused workforces with practices tailored to your needs.

    • Ensure OSHA, MSHA, DOT, and other standards are met—reducing risk and liability.

  • Prepare for carrier evaluations with expert guidance.

  • We provide expert EMR (Experience Modification Rate) analysis to help you understand the financial impact of workplace injuries, identify cost drivers, and implement targeted strategies to improve your rating—ultimately reducing insurance premiums and enhancing your risk profile.

  • Helping to implement proactive approaches that will prevent claims, ensure regulatory compliance, and make you more attractive to insurance carriers.

  • Apply H.O.P. principles to reduce error, improve systems, and enhance operational learning.

  • Strategic support before, during, and after OSHA & MSHA inspections—ensuring compliance, preparedness, and successful resolution.

  • Customized training to help educate and empower your workforce.

  • Specialized training to develop leadership capabilities in managers and supervisors, enabling them to champion and enhance safety culture.

  • Build a workplace culture where safety is valued throughout the entire organization.

  • Custom solutions that help organizations proactively identify and address high-risk exposures, equipping them with the ability to lead Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) prevention efforts and strengthen their organization’s safety culture.

Emerge Apps

Meet Our Director of Risk Management

Van Langham, CSP | Director of Risk Management

Van Langham wearing a light blue button-up shirt, stands in front of a brick wall.

Certifications & Credentials

  • Certified Safety Professional (CSP) – Board of Certified Safety Professionals

  • H.O.P. Champion (Human and Organizational Performance) – University of Alabama at Birmingham

  • OSHA-Authorized Outreach Trainer – 10- & 30-Hour Construction

  • MSHA-Certified Mine Safety & Health Instructor – Mine Safety and Health Administration

“My goal is simple: To help organizations build high-performing, resilient safety cultures that don’t just check boxes—but truly protect people and improve safety performance.”

Two men working in an industrial or manufacturing environment, both wearing safety glasses. One man is bald with a beard, wearing a light blue shirt, and the other man is wearing a black cap, black shirt, and has a scarf on his neck. They are closely examining something on a worktable surrounded by machinery and equipment.

Van brings more than 30 years of experience in high-hazard industries such as mining, construction, and manufacturing. With a strong foundation in operations and leadership, he has guided hundreds of organizations toward safer workplaces and stronger safety cultures.

Van understands the challenges employers face because he’s been in their shoes. He also knows what drives insurance carriers’ decision-making—because he’s worked on that side, too. This unique perspective allows him to help clients implement meaningful, lasting improvements in safety, compliance, and bottom-line performance.

Ready to strengthen your safety net?

Let’s build a safer, more resilient workplace—together.

Connect with Our Risk Management Team

Risk Management and Safety Services are offered upon request to support our clients’ safety and loss control efforts. These services do not constitute legal or regulatory advice, and our agency is not liable for how they are used.

Clients are solely responsible for implementing recommendations and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.