The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies

Episodios

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  Ep. 183: The True Cost of an Injury | Direct vs. Indirect Costs Explained 21.07.2026 26m

  MEM Sr. Manager of Claims Operations Shannon Fox breaks down what a workplace injury really costs a business: The claim itself, the indirect costs most employers overlook, and the long-term impact on your e-mod and premium. Plus, a practical checklist for reducing both, from incident investigation to return-to-work planning.
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  Ep. 182: E-Mod Insights | An Underwriter's Perspective on the Experience Modifier 07.07.2026 28m

  Your e-mod is more than a premium multiplier. It's a record of how your business handles safety and claims. MEM Underwriting Team Manager Jennifer Loy draws on 18+ years of underwriting to reflect on the habits that define a business's e-mod – good or bad.
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  Ep. 181: Catastrophic Workplace Injuries | How Employers Can Prepare 16.06.2026 36m

  When a catastrophic injury occurs, the recovery process involves several phases, multiple providers, and months of coordination. Arm Dynamics Clinical Manager Julian Wells walks employers through the prosthetic rehabilitation continuum and explains why communication – between the carrier, the clinical team, and the injured worker – determines the quality of the outcome.
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  Ep. 180: The Agent-Carrier-Employer Partnership | Building the Relationship Behind Your Work Comp Strategy 02.06.2026 33m

  Most employers treat workers compensation as a line item. The ones who treat it as a strategy – investing in safety, building working relationships with their agent and carrier – end up with lower e-mods, better claim outcomes, and a team that's already prepared if an injury occurs. In this episode, MEM's John Mitchell and Richard Ollis of Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors share what that partnership looks like in practice.
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  Ep. 179: Electrical Safety | Practical Steps for Every Employer 19.05.2026 35m

  Electrical safety isn't just a concern for electricians. ESFI Executive Director Jennifer LeFevre and Program Director Daniel Majano break down the top 7 causes of workplace electrical fatalities, who is at risk, and the practical steps every employer can take (regardless of industry) to prevent serious injuries.
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  Ep. 178: Low Claim Counts | Victory or Warning Sign? 05.05.2026 28m

  A low claim count can mean your safety program is working – or it can mean employees don't feel safe enough to speak up. Brad Minor, MEM Senior Safety and Risk Consultant, breaks down the real cost of delayed and unreported injuries, why well-intentioned incentive programs backfire, and the steps employers can take to create a safety culture where reporting is the norm.
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  Ep. 177: Safety Metrics | How to Measure Your Program's Success 21.04.2026 22m

  Most employers measure safety outcomes. Fewer measure the efforts that produce them. Tim Wilson, Sr. Manager of Safety and Risk Services at MEM, breaks down how to build a safety measurement system that goes beyond incident rates to evaluate leading KPIs, ROI, and a successful safety culture.
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  Ep. 176: Safety Training That Sticks | Why Microlearning Works 07.04.2026 40m

  Most safety training is easy to forget – because it's designed to be delivered, not retained. In this episode, Mark Woodward, Director of Training and Safety Manager at Sellenriek Construction, shares how microlearning turns workplace training into a tool that actually changes behavior, builds consistency, and shows up in safety outcomes over time.
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  Ep. 175: Safety vs. Production | Why the Tradeoff is a Myth 17.03.2026 35m

  When deadlines tighten, safety is often the first thing that slips. But the cost of that tradeoff adds up. Sean Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety, shares how leaders unintentionally undermine safety culture, why the absence of injuries isn't the right success metric, and what practical steps actually move businesses toward safer, more productive operations.
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  Ep. 174: Home Health Safety | Building Culture Beyond Compliance 03.03.2026 35m

  Home health caregivers face unique safety challenges working independently in uncontrolled environments. Kristin Wamsley, Director of Facilities and Fleet at Emmaus Homes, shares how building a genuine safety culture, implementing mandatory equipment protocols, and addressing top risks has helped the organization achieve an injury rate significantly lower than industry averages.
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  Ep. 173: Safety Mentorship | How Relationships Strengthen Safety 17.02.2026 31m

  When experienced safety professionals leave, their knowledge often leaves with them. Mentorship keeps that expertise in-house through both structured programs and organic relationships. Domini Montgomery from the Saint Louis Zoo explains how effective mentorship builds psychological safety, improves retention, and creates cultures where people feel confident asking questions and sharing ideas.
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  Ep. 172: AI-Powered Workplace Safety | From Reactive Response to Proactive Prevention 03.02.2026 33m

  AI-powered safety tools are making workplace injury prevention more precise and effective. Brandon Jones, MEM's Director of Safety and Risk Services, shares how predictive analytics, automated compliance monitoring, and personalized training can help you identify emerging risks before injuries occur – using the data you already have.
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  Ep. 171: Work Comp Claims Settlements | What Employers Need to Know 20.01.2026 30m

  In workers compensation, settlement simply means closing a claim – either naturally when an injured worker recovers, or through negotiated agreement for complex injuries. MEM Claims Operations Manager Shannon Fox explains the two settlement types, how amounts are determined, what protections exist for injured workers, and how employers can support the process without overstepping their limited role.
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  Ep. 170: The Gig Economy and Work Comp | The Latest Updates for Employers 06.01.2026 27m

  When does gig work need work comp coverage? This classification determines who's responsible when someone gets hurt. MEM's Tina Austin breaks down the employee vs. independent contractor distinction, coverage gaps with platform-based workers like DoorDash drivers, and documentation strategies to protect your business as regulations continue to evolve.
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  Ep. 169: Protecting Young Employees | Safety Training Essentials 15.12.2025 27m

  Young employees experience injury rates 1.2 to 2.3 times higher than the average adult popular. MEM Nurse Case Management Supervisor Lauren Mattes shares how proper training, hands-on practice, and creating a speak-up culture can dramatically reduce these risks. Learn age-appropriate safety strategies, mentor assignment best practices, and documentation requirements that protect young team members while building their confidence.
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  Ep. 168: Post-Incident Drug Testing | A Guide for Employers 01.12.2025 26m

  Employers need a clear drug testing plan before incidents occur to make informed decisions quickly. Amy Wimer from Premier Biotech shares practical tips to implement a testing program that incorporates on-site rapid oral fluid testing.
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  Ep. 167: Wearable Safety Tech | How Smart Devices Cut Work Comp Claims by 90% 17.11.2025 34m

  Wearable safety technology helps businesses identify workplace hazards before they cause injuries. Tom West of MākuSafe explains how data-driven safety approaches reduce work comp costs, improve productivity, and cut safety incidents by 50-90%.
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  Ep. 166: Ask the Right Questions | School Safety Starts with "Why" 03.11.2025 30m

  From slips and falls to emergency preparedness, schools face diverse safety challenges. Zac Rantz, Nixa Public Schools Chief Communications Officer, shares his people-first approach to preventing workplace injuries. By asking the right questions, creating sustainable systems, and addressing the root causes behind unsafe behaviors, administrators can build a collaborative safety culture that protects everyone on campus.
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  Ep. 165: Careers in Safety and Risk | Making an Impact and Saving Lives 15.10.2025 32m

  Considering a career in safety? Brandon Jones, MEM Director of Safety and Risk Services, shares insights from his 35-year career helping businesses create safer workplaces. Discover why communication skills matter as much as technical knowledge, how technology is changing the field, and why this profession offers meaningful opportunities to impact people's lives.
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  Ep. 164: Complex Workers Compensation Claims | High Risk, High Dollar 01.10.2025 34m

  When workplace injuries become complex, high-dollar work comp claims, the financial impact extends far beyond immediate medical costs. MEM's claims experts Shannon Fox and Lyndi Barthel share strategies for recognizing warning signs, managing costs, and successfully navigating the most challenging claims.