OH&S SafetyPod

Епизоде

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  Episode 232: Managing Safety in the Modern Contract Workforce 30.06.2026 29мин

  In this episode of the OH&S SafetyPod, Scott DeBow, CSP, ARM, Director of Health, Safety & Environmental at Avetta, joins the podcast to discuss how today's increasingly contractor-driven workforce is changing the way organizations approach workplace safety. DeBow explains why compliance remains an essential foundation but is no longer sufficient on its own, and why leading organizations are adopting systems-based safety management strategies to better identify and control risk. The conversation explores serious injury and fatality (SIF) prevention, evolving safety metrics, findings from Avetta's 2026 Insight & Impact Report, emerging industry standards, and practical ways organizations can strengthen safety performance across complex contractor networks. Sponsored By Avetta: Getting businesses and suppliers Ready to work. Avetta builds a global community where companies and suppliers work without worry. Our unified platform streamlines compliance, safety, and performance so every partner is aligned, verified, and ready to deliver. https://www.avetta.com/  
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  Episode 231: A Conversation with OSHA's David Keeling 20.06.2026 18мин

  At ASSP Safety 2026 in Anaheim, OH&S Executive Editor David Kopf sat down with Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health David Keeling for a wide-ranging conversation about OSHA's priorities and direction. Keeling discusses the status of OSHA's heat stress rulemaking efforts, the agency's renewed focus on small and medium-sized businesses, the new Safety Champions initiative, hiring efforts to rebuild agency expertise, the role of AI and emerging technology, and his vision for strengthening relationships between OSHA, employers and safety professionals. The discussion also explores leading indicators, serious injury and fatality prevention, and why safety must be embedded into organizational culture to succeed.
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  Episode 230: Preparing Safety Professionals for the AI Era 11.06.2026 33мин

  In this episode of the SafetyPod, Columbia Southern University Faculty Lead Dr. Bart Eltz joins OH&S editor David Kopf to discuss how artificial intelligence is changing the occupational safety profession. Eltz explores emerging applications for AI in safety management, risk assessment, and program development while emphasizing the continued importance of foundational safety knowledge, critical thinking, and professional judgment. The conversation also examines how safety educators are teaching students to use AI responsibly and what safety professionals can do today to prepare for an increasingly AI-driven future. Sponsored By Columbia Southern University: For more than 30 years, Columbia Southern University has been a leader in occupational safety and health education. Taught by experienced safety experts, CSU's bachelor's and master's degree programs in occupational safety and health are recognized by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as Graduate Safety Practitioner® Qualified Academic Programs. Visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu/OHS to learn more.  
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  Episode 229: Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety in the Workplace 14.05.2026 19мин

  In this episode of the OH&S SafetyPod, CSA Group Fire Test Specialist Josh Dinaburg joins the podcast to discuss the growing presence of lithium-ion battery systems in workplaces and the unique fire safety challenges they create. Dinaburg explains how thermal runaway events occur, why lithium-ion battery fires differ from traditional fire hazards, and what safety professionals need to understand about toxic gases, electrical hazards, re-ignition risks, and post-fire cleanup. The conversation also explores the evolving standards and large-scale fire testing efforts helping make modern energy storage systems safer for workers, facilities, and first responders.
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  Episode 228: Building Safety Programs for SMBs That Actually Work 07.04.2026 23мин

  In this episode of the OH&S SafetyPod, safety expert Greg Zigulis discusses the unique challenges small and medium-sized businesses face when building effective health and safety programs. Drawing on insights from his new book, "Health and Safety Programs in Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses," Zigulis explains how limited resources, lack of formal training, and competing priorities often lead organizations into reactive safety practices. He shares practical guidance on how to prioritize risks, understand injury causation, and develop a structured approach that goes beyond compliance to create meaningful, sustainable safety outcomes.
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  Episode 227: Ladder Safety Month — Turning Awareness into Safer Habits 18.02.2026 16мин

  March marks National Ladder Safety Month, and in this episode of the OH&S Safety Pod, we explore how safety leaders can reduce preventable ladder-related injuries through better habits, training, and daily reinforcement. Pat McAuliffe of the American Ladder Institute and Ryan Mittelmeier of Werner share insights on common ladder safety mistakes, practical jobsite corrections, and how employers can use free Ladder Safety Month resources to strengthen their programs year-round. Sponsored by the American Ladder Institute: The American Ladder Institute is proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Ladder Safety Month this March. The monthlong campaign promotes ladder safety awareness to help prevent injuries and fatalities. Access free safety resources and learn more at laddermonth.com.
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  Episode 226: Navigating the New Frontier of Maritime Safety Education 06.11.2025 21мин

  In this episode, Dr. Travis Smith and Bobby Oberlechner of Columbia Southern University discuss the university's new maritime safety concentration—a program designed to equip safety professionals for one of the world's most complex and high-risk environments. They explore why maritime safety has historically lacked academic focus, how CSU's curriculum bridges that gap, and what students can expect to learn about global regulations, port operations, and systemic risk management. The conversation also highlights how this program helps shape the next generation of safety leaders both on land and at sea. Sponsored by Columbia Southern University: For more than 30 years, Columbia Southern University has been a leader in occupational safety and health education. Taught by experienced safety experts, CSU's bachelor's and master's degree programs in occupational safety and health are recognized by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as Graduate Safety Practitioner® Qualified Academic Programs. Visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu/OHS to learn more.
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  Episode 225: Opioids on the Job—Planning to Protect 03.10.2025 11мин

  Content Editor Stasia DeMarco speaks with Claire Bryant, Senior Program Manager of Workplace Safety Programs at the National Safety Council, about a new tool designed to help manage the opioid epidemic in the workplace. With overdoses now linked to nearly one in ten workplace deaths, NSC has launched a free Overdose Emergency Planning Tool to help employers prepare for opioid emergencies and determine how much naloxone to keep on hand. Bryant also highlights the importance of quick response and recovery-supportive workplace policies to save lives and prevent future crises.      
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  Episode 224: A+A 2025 Gears Up to Host Global Safety Community 30.08.2025 18мин

  Lars Wismer, Director of A+A at Messe Düsseldorf, joins Executive Editor David Kopf to discuss the upcoming A+A 2025 International Trade Fair and Congress for Safety and Health at Work, happening November 4–7 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Wismer shares insights on the theme People Matter and previews highlights including global exhibitors, PPE innovations, exoskeletons, smart technology, and congress sessions on climate, mental well-being, and AI. It's a truly global event, with the 2025 edition expected to attract roughly 65,000 visitors and 2,200 exhibitors.
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  Episode 223: Building Trust -- Protecting Employees' Mental Health 05.08.2025 25мин

  Increasing attention is being placed on workers' mental health, as well as their physical health, but how do safety managers approach this challenge? Sean Egan, the Deputy Director of Labor for the State of Michigan, joins the OH&S Safety Pod to discuss Michigan's groundbreaking workplace mental health initiative. Launched through the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), the program aims to help businesses reduce stress, burnout, and stigma in high-risk, high-pressure industries like construction. Drawing from both policy expertise and lived experience, Egan explains how the initiative blends neuroscience, trauma-informed training, and innovative resources, such as the Man Therapy campaign, to support workers' behavioral health. More than awareness, Michigan's program calls for systemic changes, including revisiting work design, hazard assessments, and access to care to make mental health a core part of safety culture.  This episode offers safety professionals a timely and practical roadmap for embedding mental well-being into their overall risk strategy, as well as redefining what it means to truly protect workers.    
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  Episode 222: AIHA Launches Heat Stress AP 2.0 17.06.2025 9мин

  Larry Sloan, CEO of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), joins the OH&S Safety Pod to discuss the evolving risks of heat stress and how AIHA's newly updated Heat Stress App is helping organizations protect workers in both indoor and outdoor environments. The app uses live weather data and user inputs to calculate wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), delivering personalized risk levels and clear, practical guidance. With multilingual support and a user-friendly interface, it empowers frontline workers, supervisors, and safety leaders to make smarter heat-related decisions. Larry explains why heat stress is often underestimated, how app feedback shaped its latest features, and why real-time tools like this are essential for modern safety programs. He also outlines the app's global usability, practical applications, and the role of prevention in reducing costly, often avoidable incidents. This episode offers timely insights for safety professionals preparing for peak heat season—and committed to keeping teams safe, alert, and productive.  
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  Episode 221: The ISF and Moving Beyond Compliance 11.05.2025 22мин

  Jennifer McNelly, CAE, CEO of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), discusses the Intersociety Forum (ISF) and a recent report calling for a shift in how safety is embedded in business strategy. Representing nearly 30 safety and health organizations, the ISF advocates moving beyond legal compliance toward risk-based, proactive safety management systems. Jennifer explores why compliance alone hasn't lowered fatality rates and how industry consensus standards, predictive data insights, and integrated safety strategies can drive better outcomes -- not just for workers, but for business performance. She also highlights why now is the time for unity and how safety professionals can become influential change agents within their organizations. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for safety leaders looking to align safety and strategic value -- and to help shape the future of workplace protection.
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  Episode 220: The Importance of Safety Assessments 15.04.2025 19мин

  In this episode, Nick Brown, Senior Director of Ansell Services, explores why safety assessments are a foundational part of proactive hazard identification and facility safety. Every worksite presents its own risks, and Nick shares how a tailored, systematic approach to safety assessments helps EHS professionals identify hazards, ensure compliance with OSHA and industry standards, and take meaningful action. The discussion also highlights best practices for walkthroughs, common pitfalls to avoid, and how digital tools are helping organizations make smarter safety and PPE decisions.  Sponsored by Ansell Sponsored By Ansell—because safety starts with identifying and understanding workplace risks. Thanks to Ansell for this discussion on the importance of safety walkthroughs and Ansell's complimentary service, AnsellGuardian® which helps businesses proactively assesses hazards, ensure compliance, and implement targeted safety solutions. Learn more at https://www.ansell.com/us/en/ansellguardian.
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  Episode 219: The Strategic Edge of Safety Staffing 11.04.2025 22мин

  In this episode, Ethan Fight, Executive Director of Operations at Medcor Safety, joins the podcast to explore how strategic safety staffing can give high-risk industries such as construction a competitive advantage. Drawing on his 12 years of experience managing safety professionals across more than 100 construction accounts, Ethan shares insights into how investing in the right safety talent can reduce incidents, lower costs, and improve overall operational efficiency. The conversation covers how companies can approach staffing amid today's competitive labor market, the pros and cons of full-time versus on-call safety professionals, and why effective staffing can boost both compliance and employee morale. Sponsored by Medcor  Medcor Safety provides experienced safety professionals to help businesses create safer job sites, reduce risks, and ensure compliance. Medcor's customized safety staffing solutions support projects of all sizes, keeping workers protected and operations running smoothly. With expert guidance and proven safety protocols, Medcor helps businesses build a culture of safety. Visit  https://medcor.com/services/ to learn more.
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  Episode 218: The Future of OSHA 27.03.2025 26мин

  Is the future of OSHA at risk? Samuel Pond, founding and managing partner of Pond Lehocky Giordano, joins the SafetyPod to discuss the future of OSHA under shifting political tides. With more than 30 years of experience representing injured and disabled workers, Pond offers a front-line perspective on how changes at OSHA could impact worker safety and employer accountability. The conversation explores political developments that could weaken the agency, the viability of the NOSHA Act, and the implications of President Trump's nomination of David Keeling as OSHA administrator. Pond also dives into the critical role of safety culture, the challenges of state-level enforcement, and what safety professionals can do to lead internally in times of regulatory uncertainty.
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  Episode 217: The Importance of Women's PPE 07.03.2025 21мин

  Properly fitting PPE is critical for ensuring comfort, effectiveness, and safety on the job, but for women in the workforce, sourcing PPE that is designed with their dimensions in mind isn't always easy. That's why women's PPE advocacy organization The Safety Rack and the Alliance of Women's Safety Apparel Manufacturers (AWSAM) partnered with other women's groups to launch the #MyBodyMyPPE campaign last year to raise awareness about the issue. The co-founders of #MyBodyMyPPE, Amy Roosa, the founder of The Safety Rack, and Emily Soloby, founder and CEO of Juno Jones Safety Boots, join the SafetyPod to discuss why women-specific PPE is essential, how to ensure women workers' PPE needs are addressed, and what's coming up for the campaign this year.
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  Episode 216: Understanding OSHA's Arc Flash Guidance 31.01.2025 23мин

  In November 2024, OSHA released new arc flash guidance for the first time in almost 20 years. The guidance covered various areas of concern, including low-voltage hazards; PPE and arc-rated (AR) clothing; hierarchy of controls; worker training and establishing boundaries for arc flash hazards. Scott Margolin, Vice President of Technical at Tyndale and Chairman of the Board for the Partnership for Electrical Safety (PES), joins the podcast to discuss the key elements of the guidance, as well as why OSHA chose to release the guidance and how the PES is working to increase electrical safety for workers.  
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  Episode 215: New Developments in Confined Space Entry Monitoring and Safety 30.10.2024 23мин

  Workers entering and working in confined spaces face a number of potentially fatal hazards such as insufficient oxygen, physical hazards including falls, and toxic or flammable atmospheres. Fortunately, new technology innovations are helping to improve their safety. Todd Connelly, Rental Sales Manager for Blackline Safety, joins the podcast to discuss why confined space entries persist as a safety concern; key considerations when evaluating CSE approaches; and how smart, connected safety solutions can help manage confined space hazards. This episode is sponsored by Blackline Safety. Over 2 million workers in the United States conduct permit-required confined space entries per year and can face life-threatening challenges. The threat of toxic and explosive gases, oxygen deficiency, and extreme temperatures mean working conditions can quickly turn deadly. But thanks to innovations in smart technology, times have changed—and safety has improved. Learn more at www.blacklinesafety.com.
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  Episode 214: 20 Years of Breakthrough Strategies 23.10.2024 25мин

  If you're a regular reader of Occupational Health & Safety, then you're probably familiar with Robert Pater. Pater is the managing director and creator of the MoveSMART system to reduce soft-tissue injuries and slips, trips, and falls, and he's quickly approaching his 20-year anniversary of writing the Breakthrough Strategies column for OH&S. Moreover, he's written nearly 200 articles for OH&S as well. Robert joins the podcast to talk about the upcoming anniversary of his column, as well as to discuss why slips, trips and falls continue to be a significant workplace safety topic, as well as other safety trends and risks that he thinks should be on safety professionals' radars. Like Robert's columns, this interview is full of safety insights.
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  Episode 213: How Certifications Transform Industries with NFPA's Top Expert 09.10.2024 21мин

  Certifications in the fire, life, and electrical safety fields play crucial roles. Daniel Pickel, the Director of Certification and Accreditation at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), joins the podcast to discuss topics such as how certifications help safety professionals stay up-to-date, how is technology influencing the certification landscape, and recent trends in certifications and emerging certifications that should professionals be aware of. Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering their mission. Visit www.nfpa.org to learn more.