The Safety Consultant Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Unlock the power of the OSHA data and statistics resource page to help you find clients, value your services, and set you apart from competitors. Sheldon uses this tool for many clever ways to get true context on a hazard and who can benefit from your services. 

In Part 4 of our "Starting a New Business" series on the Safety Consultant Show, we are wrapping things up by talking about credentials. You don't need every letter in the alphabet behind your name to be successful, but you do need the right ones.

Here are a few key takeaways from today’s episode:

• 🎯 Match your certs to your niche: Don't just guess. Look at what potential clients in your specific industry (like construction or oil & gas) are actively asking for in their job listings and get those exact credentials.
• 🎓 Degrees vs. Certificates: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in EHS will always carry the most weight, but if college isn't an option, programs like the COSS (Certified Occupational Safety Specialist) or COSM provide incredible value based on your real-world experience—no degree required!.
• 🦺 The OSHA 10 & 30 Advantage: Becoming an authorized OSHA 10 and 30-hour instructor (through the OSHA 501 or 500 train-the-trainer courses) is one of the best ways to gain local recognition and instantly open up new revenue streams.

If you are ready to take your safety experience and turn it into a profitable consulting business, this episode is a must-listen.

OSHA has a new leader, a new poster, and a very clear inspection strategy for 2026. Are you ready?

In this quarterly OSHA update, Sheldon breaks down the biggest changes safety professionals and consultants need to know — from the new “OSHA Cares” poster to federal enforcement reductions and the 24,929 inspections planned for the year.

You’ll learn:

• What the new OSHA poster means for employers
• Who the new head of OSHA is and why it matters
• Where enforcement dollars are shrinking (and where focus is tightening)
• Why 70–80% of inspections will be unprogrammed
• The four hazards that will dominate construction inspections

If you're a consultant, safety manager, or building your own safety business, this episode helps you anticipate where OSHA is headed — so you can position yourself (and your clients) ahead of the curve.

Stay proactive. Stay strategic. Stay inspection-ready.

🚀 Dive into the future of workplace safety with our latest blog post on revolutionizing EHS training through Learning Management Systems (LMS)! Say goodbye to boring binders and hello to engaging, interactive learning. Discover how an LMS can transform compliance, cut costs, and create a culture of safety that sticks. 💡🔒 Whether you're looking to streamline your safety training or enhance compliance, this post has all the insights you need. Let's make safety training exciting again! #SafetyFirst #EHS #LMS #WorkplaceSafety #DigitalLearning #ComplianceTraining #FutureOfWork #InnovateSafety #SafetyTech #LearnSmart

Employers hire safety and health consultants for a variety of reasons, often related to ensuring a safe and compliant work environment. Here are some of the primary reasons:

1. Expertise and Specialization: Safety and health consultants have specialized knowledge and skills in identifying and managing workplace hazards. They can provide expert advice that the internal staff may not possess.

2. Regulatory Compliance: Employers must adhere to various local, state, and federal regulations. Consultants are well-versed in these laws and can help businesses avoid costly fines and legal issues by ensuring compliance.

3. Risk Assessment: Consultants can conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential hazards and suggest preventive measures, thereby reducing the likelihood of workplace accidents and injuries.

4. Training and Education: Consultants can provide training to employees on safety practices, proper use of equipment, and how to handle hazardous materials, contributing to a safer work environment.

5. Objective Third-Party Perspective: An external consultant can provide an unbiased review of workplace safety practices and policies, which can be beneficial in identifying issues that internal staff might overlook.

6. Program Development and Implementation: Consultants can assist in developing and implementing comprehensive safety programs tailored to the specific needs of the business, including emergency response plans, safety protocols, and accident prevention strategies.

7. Incident Investigation: In the event of a workplace accident or injury, consultants can conduct an objective investigation, identify the root cause, and recommend corrective actions to prevent future incidents.

8. Health and Wellness Programs: Beyond immediate safety concerns, consultants can also help develop programs that promote overall employee health and wellness, contributing to a more productive and positive work environment.

9. Cost Savings: By preventing accidents and ensuring compliance, safety consultants can help businesses avoid expensive fines, legal fees, and workers' compensation claims.

10. Enhanced Reputation: A commitment to safety can enhance a company's reputation with clients, investors, and potential employees, and a consultant can help communicate and implement this commitment effectively.

Use these point in your marketing material to help gain new clients.

In this enlightening episode titled "2024's Compliance Horizon: Navigating OSHA's Expanded Recordkeeping Rule," we delve into the pivotal updates to OSHA's Recordkeeping regulations that came into effect on January 1, 2024. Aimed primarily at high-hazard industries, these amendments are set to reshape how establishments report and submit injury and illness data. The episode provides a detailed walkthrough of the expanded electronic submission requirements, emphasizing the inclusion of OSHA Form 300 and Form 301 details along with the previously required Form 300A. Listeners will gain insights into the significance of these changes and how they are expected to enhance workplace safety and transparency.

The conversation further explores the intentions behind OSHA's strategy to improve data quality and public accessibility. By mandating the inclusion of legal company names in submissions and planning to make the data publicly accessible on its website, OSHA aims to foster an environment of informed decision-making and accountability. The episode discusses the potential impacts of these measures, including the reduction of occupational injuries and illnesses and the provision of valuable insights at the industry level, thereby enabling employers, employees, and the public to make more informed decisions regarding workplace safety and health.

Lastly, the episode guides employers through the technicalities of the submission process, detailing the functionalities of the Injury Tracking Application (ITA) and the various methods available for data submission. With the deadline for submission set for March 2nd of the year following the calendar year covered by the forms, the episode emphasizes the importance of compliance and timely action. Listeners will come away with a comprehensive understanding of the new OSHA Recordkeeping rule, equipped with the knowledge to navigate these changes effectively for your clients.

In this engaging episode of the "Safety Consultant Show with Sheldon Primus," host Sheldon Primus expertly navigates the crucial topic of strategic hiring in the realm of safety consulting. Sheldon addresses a pivotal challenge many safety consultants face: discerning the right time and approach to expand their team. He offers a comprehensive guide on recognizing the signs indicating the need for team expansion, underscoring that hiring should be a strategic choice aligned with business growth, not just a means to handle excess workload. The episode delves into crucial aspects such as evaluating current workload capacity, financial preparedness for hiring, identifying skill gaps within the business, and the importance of cultural fit in prospective hires. Sheldon also sheds light on the legalities of hiring and the significance of having a robust training plan in place, presenting a holistic view of the hiring process.

Featuring insights from a seasoned expert in business growth, the episode enriches the conversation with practical advice and real-world examples. Sheldon emphasizes the importance of making financially prudent hiring decisions, the role of a new hire in embodying the business culture, and utilizing professional networks for finding suitable candidates. Additionally, he explores alternatives like outsourcing or contracting for businesses not ready for full-time hires, providing versatile solutions. Overall, this episode of the "Safety Consultant Show with Sheldon Primus" serves as a vital resource for safety consultants looking to strategically expand their team, ensuring that new hires are not only skilled but also align with the long-term goals and ethos of the business.

Join Sheldon Primus in this insightful episode of 'Safety Consultant with Sheldon Primus' where he shares top strategies for growing your safety consulting business without financial strain. Discover the power of networking, social media, content creation, and much more in the safety consulting industry. Sheldon provides valuable tips on utilizing free resources effectively for business expansion. Perfect for safety professionals and consultants eager to enhance their business with cost-effective methods. Don’t miss these expert insights – tune in now and elevate your safety consulting journey!

In this episode, I review an incident that was told to me on my Facebook group "Safety Consultant". A supervisor was bullying a new hire by constant teasing. The new hire got fed up and shook his can of coke and it spewed in the supervisor's face during lunch. Everyone laughed at the supervisor. The new hire later on took of his hard hat to wipe some sweat off his head and the supervisor wrote him up for not having his safety gear on as retaliation. The people in the group reading this post gave all comments addressing the symptoms, but not the problem. This episode will help you consider finding a company's true problem and not just treating a symptom.

In this episode, Sheldon speaks to a former OTIEC student, Justin Barksdale of Barksdale Safety Solutions. Justin talks about his safety consulting journey and gives tips on how to work your business part-time and even grow to employ workers.