In this episode, Barb and Ted are joined by safety professional Tracy Krieger, a seasoned expert with 14 years in the field, who is now leading her own consulting business, Safety LLC.

Tracy shares her unique approach to safety management, passionately advocating for its importance both in and out of the workplace. She discusses the benefits of her new online training program, offering a sneak peek into how it meets regulatory requirements and helps prevent potential OSHA issues.

They delve into the often overlooked topic of safety for temporary and seasonal workers, with Tracy highlighting strategies to reduce their high injury rates. Listen in as she uncovers why California's safety regulations are more stringent and how this proactive approach is reshaping safety norms.

Moreover, Tracy reveals her insights on the significance of investing in seasonal workers and the potential payoff. You won't want to miss her clever solutions to common language barriers in training and her strong belief in the power of mentoring for temporary worker success.

Tune in to hear Tracy's practical advice on training temporary workers effectively, capped with a surprising emphasis on a particular aspect: confidence building. All this and more when you listen to the episode!

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Tracy Krieger, MPH, ASP

LinkedIn

Email

Barb and Ted Carew sit down with Tim Pigott, a safety veteran with a diverse background ranging from the Navy to construction, in this insightful episode. Listen as they delve into the intricate process of building a safety program from the ground up and the art of overcoming complacency in a workplace.

You'll hear Tim share some invaluable safety nuggets, including the importance of "baby steps" in implementing changes and the power of leading by example. Meanwhile, Barb emphasizes the critical role of effective teaching and mentorship in safety education. Ted enlightens us with insights from his extensive field experience, revealing how it aids in identifying potential distractions and maintaining a focus on safety.

But the conversation doesn't stop at the workplace. Discover how the principles of safety can permeate into the retirement phase and beyond, ensuring the well-being of not only employees but also family and friends.

Don't miss out on hearing more about the importance of mentorship in the safety profession, and how you can benefit from it through Total Health and Safety Solutions. Tune in and join us as we explore these topics and more!

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Tim Pigott

LinkedIn

Email

Phone 920-810-1369

Join Ted and Barb Carew in a compelling discussion with safety expert Jerome Spear. With 33 years of experience supporting organizations in preventing injuries and controlling losses, Jerome's expertise is unmatched. From his background as a Certified Safety Professional and Certified Industrial Hygienist, to his academic achievements in Industrial Engineering and Business Administration, Jerome brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.

Jerome's passion for safety and desire to help businesses shine through as he discusses his own journey, from managing finances in starting his business to earning multiple certifications. He shares his insights on industrial hygiene, covering chemical, physical, and biological hazards.

Tune in to discover the invisible risks in the workplace posed by welding fumes, silica, and other hazardous materials. Learn how IH assesses risk, evaluates contamination levels, and ensures workplace safety. Don't miss out on Jerome's expert advice to enhance workplace safety and well-being.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Jerome Spear

Website

Podcast

Are you prioritizing safety in your workplace? Curious about effective fall protection measures to keep your employees safe? Ted and Barb Carew dive into the world of workplace safety with special guest Brent Rehberg, who brings a wealth of experience to the conversation with 15 years in operations and 3 years dedicated to safety. Recently, he and his business partner launched Access Safety Specialists, a company providing engineered systems for fall protection, including guardrails, platforms, anchor points, and more.

Education and training play a crucial role in fall protection. Brent emphasizes the importance of everyone understanding the risks associated with working at heights before donning a harness. With their expertise, Brent and Ted are here to guide and support companies in enhancing their health and safety processes.

Discover the fair and logical approach to fall protection that Access Safety Specialists offers. They prioritize exceptional customer service and are prepared to handle any unexpected challenges that may arise. Ted shares a similar mission of keeping families together by assisting companies in their safety processes. Together, Ted and Brent provide invaluable insights and resources to create a safer work environment.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your workplace safety practices and ensure the well-being of your employees. Remember, a proactive approach to safety is key to a thriving and secure work environment. Take action today and make safety a top priority.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Brent Rehberg

Website

Are you tired of traditional safety approaches that focus on blame rather than learning? Ready to explore innovative ideas that can revolutionize safety practices? Dr. Ivan Pupulidy, a seasoned expert with 25 years of experience as the US Forest Service Director, brings a fresh perspective to the table. He developed the revolutionary Learning Review process, which shifts the focus from rules to creating learning opportunities for leadership and frontline personnel.

Discover how Ivan's background as an Air Force Reserve pilot influenced his approach to safety culture. Through thought-provoking discussions, Ivan delves into the importance of understanding human action, mapping systemic conditions, and promoting inquiry for learning. Explore the concept of Human & Organizational Performance (HOP) and the capacity building approach, which emphasizes sense making, learning, and improvisation. Ivan shares insights from Ruben McDaniel's complex adaptive systems framework, demonstrating how failure can be reframed as a valuable opportunity for growth.

Learn how aviation's margin-based systems provide room for errors without catastrophic consequences, inspiring lessons for industries of all kinds. Uncover the power of sense making, learning, and improvisation to navigate novel situations and enhance safety outcomes through experimentation. Tune in now to gain fresh insights, challenge conventional safety practices, and take your safety culture to new heights. Your organization and your employees will thank you.

And remember, safety is a continuous journey. Apply the principles discussed in this episode to create a learning culture within your organization. Embrace inquiry, experiment, and foster a blame-free environment that encourages growth and improvement. Together, we can make safety a top priority.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Ivan Pupulidy, PhD

Email

Are you concerned about safety in the workplace? Wondering how even minor incidents can lead to major improvements? In this gripping episode, join Ted and Barb Carew as they talk to Frank Bell, an esteemed Health and Safety Manager with over three decades of experience.

Discover the power of reporting even the smallest injuries or incidents, as Frank reveals how they can become invaluable opportunities for root cause analysis. Through compelling anecdotes and real-life examples, Frank and Ted underscore the importance of preventing accidents to keep families together.

Explore the key principles of root cause analysis as Frank shares practical techniques for breaking down incidents and involving employees in the corrective action process. Learn about the powerful concept of "care enough to act" and how it applies not only in the workplace but also in everyday life. Frank's personal story of intervening to prevent a dangerous situation with his neighbor will leave you inspired to prioritize safety in all aspects of your life.

So, if you're ready to elevate your safety practices, gain insights from seasoned professionals, and make a positive impact on your organization, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now and discover the power of proactive safety measures. Your employees and loved ones will thank you.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Frank Bell

Email

Barb and Ted Carew speak with Ernesto Solorzano - an experienced safety professional with over 16 years of experience in managing safety programs in general industry and construction. Ernesto's career began in 2007, working in the oil and gas industry and taking OSHA classes, before moving into the role of safety specialist for a demolition company. Ernesto has also earned an associate's degree in Fire Science, a bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, and a master's degree in Public Policy; he continues to expand his knowledge in the field. Ernesto shares that safety culture revolves around communication that enables individuals to speak up about hazards or unsafe practices and also gives them the right to stop work if necessary. Management needs to encourage constructive conversations and act upon worker concerns to promote engagement and build trust. Ernesto emphasizes that integrating a safety culture into the company's overall culture, including production and quality, is essential. This helps employees recognize the value and importance of safety within the company, which positively influences a strong safety culture. Barb, Ted and Ernesto discuss the challenging aspects of building a safety culture. Changing an established safety culture is a more challenging task than forming one from scratch. This process would require small, incremental, and concrete changes, implemented with input from management to maintain their support. Management support for safety culture helps promote a team approach to identifying and addressing for improvement, which directly affects worker safety. They also emphasize that every company is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution while building safety culture. This episode provides great insights into building and maintaining safety culture in various industries. The importance of open and transparent communication, a team approach, and an on-going commitment to improvement. Tune in to this episode to learn more about the uniqueness of every company safety needs and the importance of tailoring safety culture to fit each one individually. 

References: 

Safety FM 

Barb & Ted welcome Nicholas Moe, a soon-to-be graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Platteville with a major in occupational safety management and a minor in production and manufacturing management. Nick is also the vice president of the American Society of Safety Professionals at UW Platteville and has worked as a safety intern at Wisconsin Homes. Nick hopes to contribute to companies’ established safety culture as a safety specialist, starting at Crystal Finishing Systems after graduation. He feels that safety is all about keeping people safe, building a safety culture, and protecting companies from fines. Nick emphasizes that the best way for people to learn and understand safety protocols is through hands-on experience, in addition to learning through reading books or attending lectures. He highlights the importance of safety culture in the safety programs of companies, emphasizing open communication and trust with employees. Nick also shares the significance of safety culture in a company's safety program or process. He suggests that building a culture of safety requires not only commitment from the safety department but also upper management's trust and support. Barb and Ted agree that forming a culture that values safety and open communication can positively impact the entire organization's culture. They discuss the importance of PPE safety and addressing employee pushback to safety protocols or concerns. Barb, Ted, and Nick offer some tips for younger individuals pursuing a career in safety. Nick recommends staying open-minded, looking for opportunities to grow and learn, and being able to communicate effectively through public speaking and involvement in safety committees and boards. Whether you are a young safety professional or a seasoned veteran, this episode provides valuable information and insights into building a successful safety program, developing a safety culture, and effective training methods.

References: 

Safety FM 

Total Health & Safety Solutions 

Nicholas Moe 

Ted and Barb Carew interview Vince Daliessio, the Industrial Hygiene and Safety group manager for Pennoni Associates, who has over 30 years of experience in the industry. Vince's passion for science led him to specialize in Environmental Science and Industrial Hygiene, where he began his safety career. Vince's expertise is chemical assessments, and he is passionate about helping companies handle hazardous materials more safely. The conversation focuses on the biggest topics currently affecting industrial hygiene, such as Hexavalent Chromium standards and Silica exposure, where Vince served as the subject matter expert in his company when the standards were initially released. He emphasizes the importance of OSHA's inclusion of Table 1 in construction, making it easier for smaller businesses to comply with the regulations.

The discussion also highlights Vince's personal investment in safety and helping others, making him a valuable asset in the industry. He stresses the significance of building a good safety culture and interacting with people, resolving safety issues, and helping people as the core recipe for success in the industry.

Vince cites his father, uncles, and first safety director Patricia Dapolito as mentors who helped him become confident in his decision-making skills and taught him to use all the tools available to achieve his goals. Ted and Barb stress the importance of building confidence in children and younger professionals and highlight the crucial role mentoring plays in the professional world to help individuals develop the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their career. Tune in now and gain valuable insights into the world of industrial hygiene and safety. 

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Vince Daliessio

Ted and Barb discuss their passion for safety and how the industry has evolved over the years. With three years of experience running their own safety business, Total Health and Safety Solutions, Ted and Barb are dedicated to helping clients stay safe and healthy in their workplaces.  Before diving into the topic, Ted and Barb share some exciting news - they now offer online safety training through their website, healthandsafetynow.com. We encourage you to check it out and provide feedback on the new courses. While in-person training is often more effective, they recognize the need for online options and are committed to providing their clients with all the resources they need to succeed.

Ted and Barbdelve into the evolution of safety over the years, from the early 1900s when safety was not taken seriously, to the present day. Despite progress over the years, the safety industry still has a long way to go. Ted expresses frustration that over 5,000 people still die each year from workplace accidents, and emphasizes the need for continued improvement. He believes that while technology has helped, it's important to also focus on human error and behavioral aspects of safety.

Barb adds that she's seen a positive change in the field of safety, with more young professionals entering by choice rather than just falling into it. She also notes that technology can play a significant role in improving safety, as discussed in a previous episode with guest Don Elswick. They highlight the importance of communication and networking in the safety profession and how it can make everyone better in their careers and lives. Overall, Ted and Barb stress the importance of ongoing education and improvement in the safety industry to protect employees and prevent workplace accidents. Listen in as they share their thoughts on the importance of limiting fatalities and severity of injuries in the workplace, and don't miss their humorous banter and jokes.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Ted and Barb welcome Donald Elswick, a former commander in the United States Navy and an occupational environmental health and safety solutions specialist for ELSMART Associates, LLC. He has over 30 years of experience in government and multi-industry and currently serves on the State of Alabama's Technical Advisory Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. 

Ted, Barb and Donald discuss the pros and cons of virtual safety training versus in-person training. While virtual training is cost-effective and timely, in-person training is necessary for life-critical situations, where hands-on practice and instructor-led sessions are required. Virtual training can be used to engage participants before in-person training and help them prepare questions. Donald also stresses the importance of making safety training engaging and effective by involving participants in projects and qualitative analysis. Ultimately, a combination of virtual and in-person training can be an effective way to train employees and make them feel confident in their safety skills. Donald talks about how everyone has their own frame of reference that they can share, and everyone can be lifelong learners, although it is harder for some than others. However, working together, having each other's back, and doing it for the right reason make a difference in the end.

This episode also discusses the future of the workforce and how technology can keep employees safe. Donald encourages emerging professionals, mid-career professionals, and mature professionals to consider a career in occupational and environmental health and safety. He reminds listeners that safety is not business confidential, and it's okay to steal from others in safety to improve. This episodes highlights the importance of safety, quality, productivity, and cost-effectiveness in the workplace. Tune in now and discover how technology is being used to keep employees safe and promote a safer workplace.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Donald Elswick

In this episode of Ted Speaks, Ted and Barb, talk with Carly Baez, a safety manager and a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals. The discussion revolves around the issue of distracted driving, which is a major safety concern in the construction industry and beyond. Carly shares her experience in educating the public about distracted driving and discussed strategies for reducing distractions while driving. Carly also highlights the importance of combining work safety with public safety, and how laws alone are not enough to create a safer environment without proper training and education.

Behavior is often rooted in past experience and Carly shares her experience in creating a community challenge that addresses the behavior of distracted driving, rather than simply telling people to stop texting and driving. The challenge requires participants to hold their phones in their hands, face up, with the ringer and volume on, and ignore any calls or messages for 30 minutes. The goal is for people to experience and understand their own response style and relationship with their phones, which is crucial to changing the behavior behind distracted driving. Ted, Barb and Carly also share personal anecdotes about their own experiences with distractions while driving and the importance of this approach, as well as the difficulty of mentally shutting off the automatic response to phone notifications.

This episode provides valuable insights into how to address distracted driving and emphasizes the importance of creating awareness about distracted driving and promoting safe driving habits to keep employees and families safe.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Carly Baez

In this riveting episode of Ted Speaks, we're joined by a veteran of the EHS field, Brian Zoeller of Johnson Controls. With over 25 years of experience under his belt, Brian shares his insights on the essential role technology plays in EHS processes.

Get a sneak peek into how a renowned organization like Johnson Controls utilizes innovative tools like BESafe and leverages cutting-edge technologies— think cell phones, google glass, and drones—to ensure the safety of their workforce.

Discover how this app, designed specifically for subcontractors, aids in identifying potential risks, ensuring compliance with OSHA standards, and how user feedback has transformed it over its five years of use. We also delve into some intriguing policies of JCI, such as the "no cell phone usage while driving" rule and the empowering "Stop Work" tool.

But that's not all. Brian also emphasizes the importance of senior leadership's engagement in EHS matters and why safety should be a value deeply embedded in all decision-making processes. Intrigued? Tune in for the full discussion and learn from the best in the industry. We guarantee, it's an episode you won't want to miss!

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Brian Zoeller, MS, CSP

LinkedIn

In this episode, Ted is joined by Peter Evans and Brad Herda, where they discuss compliance and safety or loss prevention and safety, with a focus on checking boxes and ensuring compliance with regulations. They talk about shifting focus to making sure that accidents don't happen again by changing the culture around safety as well as safety as a dynamic process that is bigger than just checklists. They argue that the greatest danger during times of change is not the change itself, but rather the use of antiquated methods to deal with the change. Resilience is important to be able to adapt to changes as they come. Organizational structures need to be designed in a way that allows for adaptation and responsiveness in order for them to be resilient. Frontline workers are a big part of an organization's foundation for resilience. In today's business world, there is a lot of M&A activity, which can make it difficult to create a cohesive culture within an organization. Tune in to learn why safety professionals need to be aware of this and be prepared to help leaders navigate these challenges and discover why it is also important to trust your employees and give them the tools they need to be successful.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Peter Evans

Mobile

Email

Brad Herda

In this episode, Ted is joined by James Boretti and Brad Herda, where they discuss why safety is important in terms of it touching every aspect of a business, from those working on construction sites to those in the office.They talk about the fact that marketing safety can be challenging, but that it is essential to remind business leaders of the significance of the subject. When interacting with employees on the shop floor, it is essential for office personnel to remember to respect their skill and knowledge, especially those who are doing potentially unsafe work. It is important for safety professionals to bring out the knowledge that workers already have to create a safe environment. Businesses need to properly incentivize their employees to encourage them to question and come up with better, safer ways of doing things. They explain how businesses should align their safety efforts with their business metrics in order to improve overall profitability. Listen to learn how reducing injuries at a company while it is experiencing rapid growth can be considered a great success and why setting expectations and understanding each individual's motivator is critical in creating a culture of success.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

James Boretti

Website

Phone

Brad Herda

In this episode, Ted is joined by Chris Seider and Brad Herda, where they discuss all about safety professionals. Constantly preparing yourself is key to being successful in the role and everybody in an organization should be aware of safety procedures. Chris shares his biggest regret of not having enough foresight to spread the wealth of knowledge and responsibility when he left his previous company, causing the culture to rapidly decline without him. He advises safety professionals to mind their passion and energy for safety, and to find the legitimate reasons why they're pursuing this field. He also suggests that they focus on building followship, so that people will want to follow their lead. Brad speaks of the importance of involving everyone in an organization in safety initiatives, rather than just those with "safety" in their title. Tune in to hear about the importance of preparation and constant polishing of skills in order to be ready for any situation that may arise.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Chris Seider

Brad Herda

In this episode, Barb and Ted are joined by James Junkin to discuss what is the bigger picture of safety culture and practices. James shares how safety culture is the shared values, beliefs and attitudes that influence the commitment to, and engagement in, safe practices. James also talks about how a strong safety culture is vital to any organization as it can help prevent accidents, injuries and fatalities. He mentions the factors that contribute to a strong safety culture, including leadership commitment, employee involvement and effective communication. A key factor in creating a strong safety culture is leadership commitment. Systems play a vital role in setting the tone for the whole organization and setting the example for others to follow. In his past years of experience as a safety professional, James has learned that it's important to keep learning and to be trained to have safety culture and practices.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

James Junkin LinkedIn

https://marinergulf.com/

In this episode, Barb and Ted are joined by Ethan Kaschak to discuss how building relationships and earning trust are key in the workplace. Ethan shares his journey to becoming a safety professional and how he started by working a blue-collar job. Ethan also talks about how he handles the role and how he takes care of relationships with everyone he works with. He shares that one of the keys to creating a good rapport is acknowledging everyone’s knowledge. This will promote respect and will encourage everyone to listen well. It is also important to always uplift everyone to positively influence the working environment. Ethan shares how he views his profession as the greatest job in the world because he gets to care about people and guide them to be productive and create a better quality of work while also keeping them safe. As a young safety professional, it's important to remember that building relationships and earning trust are key to success.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Ethan Kaschak

In this episode, Cory Goldschmidt joined Barb and Ted to talk about creating a positive influence and how beneficial it is to gravitate towards good traits and leverage these strengths that will fit into your organization. During the episode, they talk about the significance of exposing yourself to positive people to continue to grow as a person and also as a safety professional. Cory shares some of his unique experiences that are truly valuable and attests to the importance of learning that helped him to be the professional that he is now. He discusses how vital it is to understand other people’s points of view and be ready to help as a safety professional. Cory also talks about humility and how it can help you recognize your strengths and weaknesses and create a constant drive to learn as a professional. Learn more about seeking growth opportunities in order to lead and manage better.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Cory Goldschmidt

In this episode, Barb and Ted are joined by Gabe Encarnacion to discuss Providing Product, Producing Knowledge. Gabe is currently Vice President of Operations for a safety distributor and is constantly adjusting operations of the company to guide it into the future. During the episode, Gabe talks about how work has changed since he started in the industry and how safety has always been a top priority. He also discusses how the company is always looking for ways to improve processes and products to better serve their customers. Lastly, Gabe shares some advice for other businesses who are looking to provide a high-quality product or service. By staying up-to-date on industry changes and trends, being willing to adapt to new technologies, and always putting the customer first, businesses can set themselves up for success.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Gabe Encarnacion

In this episode, Barb and Ted are joined by Kelsy Lee to talk about the topic of Humans Can't Do a Don't. Kelsy is an active supporter of safety training and coaching, and she stresses the importance of emotional and mental safety for employees. She believes that leadership plays a key role in creating a safe environment, both physically and mentally. By providing coaching and support, leaders can help employees feel safe to speak up about potential hazards. In turn, this can help to create a safer workplace for everyone. Ultimately, Kelsy's goal is to make sure that everyone understands the importance of safety in the workplace. By working together, we can create a safer environment for all.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Kelsy Lee

LinkedIn

In this episode, Barb and Ted are joined by Patrick Van Abel, and they talk about Servant Leadership – An Intentional Act. Patrick, coaching is all about identification and meeting legitimate needs as a leader. He believes that leaders need to be curious all the time in order to really understand what their team is going through. Only then can they be effective in coaching them. Safety is also a huge consideration for Patrick. He believes that leaders need to create an environment where people feel safe to take risks, experiment, and fail. Ultimately, these things are essential for growth and development. By creating a safe space for coaching and leadership to occur, Patrick is helping to change the world – one leader at a time.

Resources:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Patrick Van Abel

In this episode, Ted and Barb talk to Ted Hayes. Ted consults with businesses, school districts and municipalities throughout the United States to conduct security assessments, provide armed intruder active shooter training and to develop safety programs and risk management strategies. 

Ted has served on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials and is a member of the WASBO safety and risk management committee.

Hayes was a featured presenter at the Wisconsin School Safety Summit hosted by Attorney General James Doyle in 2014. Hayes was also chosen to the Hot 100 list by Insurance Business in America. 

In this episode they discuss some of the best ways to secure your facility and protect your employees and customers.They also provide tips for keeping your facility safe from intruders. This episode is sure to offer some valuable insight into keeping yourself and your workplace safe. 

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Ted Hayes

Jasmine San Nicolas, a recruitment specialist at Shirley Parsons firm, offers invaluable expertise in EHS fields, particularly in higher education, consultancies, and manufacturing. In a post-pandemic landscape, the demand for safety roles has surged, creating a job market with more opportunities than qualified candidates.

Jasmine highlights the changing dynamics, as candidates now hold higher expectations from employers. She emphasizes the importance of ensuring both clients and candidates are genuinely committed to finding the right fit, advocating for an efficient interview process that respects everyone's time.

Face-to-face interaction remains crucial in interviews, and Jasmine encourages candidates to leverage resources for interview preparation and resume formatting. Her dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion shines through initiatives like employee resource groups and active participation in special interest groups.

The discussion emphasizes the value of real-life skills for young individuals, underlining the importance of hands-on experiences. The episode culminates in a powerful message: embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, and let passion be the driving force in the pursuit of safety careers.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Jasmine San Nicolas

LinkedIn

Email

In this episode, Ted and Barb talk to Joe Conrad, who leads a team of safety professionals that drive a culture that prioritizes safety above all else and supports operational excellence at the highest level. A director of safety that brings years of utility construction and safety experience to his role at Blattner. He is part of a team that develops and executes strategies, and operations, directly related to organizational, wide environmental health, and safety working with internal and external stakeholders.

They discuss the capacity for safety by using the traditional and non-traditional safety and adding the elements of learning and then building capacity for failure. Whether you work in the health and safety industry or not, this episode is sure to offer some valuable insight into keeping yourself and your workplace safe.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Joe Conrad

In this episode, Ted and Barb talk to Mike Kinney, President of Safety Culture Strategies. Mike has extensive experience, providing senior level support to companies pursuing DOE OSHA voluntary protection programs, star designation as well as ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Environmental Management System certifications. Mike is a BCSP Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and certified lead auditor ISO 45001 occupational Health and Safety Management Systems applying over 30 years of proven expertise to facilitate safety culture improvements for numerous private sector companies across the United States as well as commercial nuclear power and Department of Energy facility programs. He is a keynote speaker for numerous safety conferences, led a series of breakout sessions, authored dozens of articles, addressing safety culture, and enhanced employee communications, including his award-winning latest book entitled Navigating Your Safety Culture Journey. His insight and expertise are routinely sought after by companies who want to enhance their safety culture processes. 

They discuss how the organization can be efficient once they get the safety culture implemented. They talk about how to create a positive safety culture in your workplace and cover the benefits of having a safe environment for employees, as well as some tips on how to get started.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Mike Kinney

In this episode, Ted and Barb talk to Bob Molitor. He founded a business in the industrial distribution industry and focused on the manufacture and distribution of overhead material handling equipment. Through the years he developed experience in sales, marketing, production, operations, human resources, finance and administration, banking, negotiations, and government regulations. Recently he invested in a start-up in this same industry, Entrepreneurs helping Entrepreneurs.

They discuss the importance of health and safety in the Rigging and Fall Protection areas. Bob provides insights on how to keep workers safe in these high-risk environments. Ted and Barb emphasize the importance of following proper health and safety procedures when working with rigging equipment, and Bob provides tips on how to identify potential hazards. This is a must-listen for anyone who works in or around rigging or fall protection areas!

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Bob Molitor

In this episode, Ted and Barb talk to Mark Wright who is a trusted Risk, Health and Safety professional committed to preventing harm and building high levels of business performance. Mark’s career has included senior leadership positions and work in over 15 countries across high risk industries such as mining, oil & gas, facilities management, construction and utilities.

Mark is the Managing Director of FEFO Consulting and the Health and Safety Index. He has a proven track record of leading organization transformation projects, organizational design, leadership development, human performance and training.

They discuss some of the challenges faced by professionals in this field, and offer helpful tips for staying safe on the job. Whether you work in the health and safety industry or not, this episode is sure to offer some valuable insight into keeping yourself and your workplace safe.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Mark Wright

In this episode, Ted and Barb talk to Tyler Beegle who is a Diverse Safety Leader in Industrial Manufacturing. He was able to adapt in fast paced environments and has thrived at doing so through 13 years of experience in manufacturing. He loves a challenge and has worked successfully with team members across one facility to across the globe to improve multiple companies. 

Health and safety are of the utmost importance in the workplace. However, too often, employees are hampered by outdated policies and procedures that don't take into account the real dangers they face. Tune in to this episode and hear more about their topic and to learn how to create a safer workplace for your employees.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Tyler Beegle

In this episode, Ted and Barb talk to Nick Berger who is a Safety Director at August Winter & Sons. He has garnered a reputation in his field as an environmental health and safety professional. He manages job sites throughout the state to ensure safety in the workplace and safety compliance. Nick’s goal is to change his department’s philosophy from reactive to proactive. He’s also a Civil Affairs Officer for the US Army Reserve since 2018 and served between 2004 and 2018 in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. 

Nick started the conversation by sharing how his military career helped with his work in the safety profession. He talks about the importance of understanding regulations in this field. He also talks about safety in the personal actions of employees. He made a point about the importance of influencing and encouraging them to follow the rules. Nick also talks about a trend he’s seeing in the past months which relates to people coming in and going out of the industry. 

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Nick Berger

In today’s episode, Ted and Barb introduce us to Taner Cetinkaya who is an experienced Health and Safety Professional with 20 years of international experience on large scale building infrastructure, oil and gas and pipeline projects. He has spent the last 12 years in the Gulf working on top class oil and gas refinery and airport construction projects. He is currently working as Head of Health and Safety at AW Rostamani Group in the United Arab Emirates. 

Taner shares some of his experience being in the health and safety profession. He gave us a background of how he started and the things he does now. In the conversation, Taner touched some important topics to remember when you’re working in this profession. He reiterated the importance of continuous learning especially now that everything is evolving. He also talked about the importance of this profession and how making sure that the employees get home to their families is one of the main goals every day. Taner also mentioned how essential it is to build trust and relationship with employees to ensure that they know their value in the company. Positive reinforcement is one of his major tactics when approaching people in his work. 

Tune in and learn more about Taner and his experience in this profession. 

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Taner Cetinkaya

This is Part 2 of Barb and Ted’s interview with Dr. Scott Geller Ph.D.  He is a Distinguished Professor completing 52 years as a teacher and researcher at the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech. He is also the Director of the Center for Applied Behavior Systems.

This episode is about applying active caring to the workplace, schools and even the police force. He and his daughter co-founded GellarAC4P Inc to spread the mindset of actively caring for people and launched a bracelet campaign. He discusses why STEP is important. Ted, Barb and Scott proceed to talk about social media and how to use it for positivity rather than spreading hate. The actively caring mindset connects directly to workplace safety in that it motivates people to think about wearing safety gear or reducing at-risk falls. Actively caring can be applied in all areas of life. 

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

GellerAC4P, Inc

In today's episode, Ted and Barb talk to Dr. Scott Gellar Ph.D.  He is a Distinguished Professor completing 52 years as a teacher and researcher at the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech. He is also the Director of the Center for Applied Behavior Systems. He is the co-founder and senior partner of Safety Performance Solutions. He authored and co-authored 52 books, 40 training manuals, 275 magazine articles and 300 research papers addressing the development and evaluation of behavior-focused interventions to improve human welfare and life satisfaction.  

They open the show by highlighting the difference between being a leader and a manager. They also share the 3Cs for inspiring better leaders. This relates to work safety solutions and camaraderie that can build a better team. They also talk about supportive and corrective feedback and how it can improve staff morale. Dr. Geller highlights interdependence and how working together can result in doing the job efficiently and safely. They also talk about employee empowerment and how it helps in improving and assessing workplace processes. 

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

GellerAC4P, Inc

Barb and Ted welcome Tom Fitzgerald to Ted Speaks in today’s episode. Tom holds a BA in Personnel Administration Management from MSU and a Master of Science in Organizational Behavior and Management from Silver Lake College, with a minor in Training and Development. He started his management career as a foundry line supervisor, rose in the ranks to become a plant manager, and retired as a human resources health and safety manager, before starting his own company - Safety Ftz, LLC. His company is devoted to building safety cultures and giving employers and employees the tools to keep each other safe through teamwork and employee engagement. He is also an OSHA Outreach Instructor for general industry. 

Tom talks about how he got into the business, changes that he’s seen in the health and safety field over the past 50 years, advice for people just entering the safety field, and differences in working with various sizes of companies. He explains the niche Safety Fitz fills in working with companies such as figuring out what needs to happen to make sure there are no fatalities, creating good safety cultures, and working through the OSHA citation process.

Safety and quality are very similar. When we can learn from others, it can only make us better in safety. 

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Tom Fitzgerald 

Safety Fitz

Join hosts Barb and Ted Carew on this enlightening episode with their guest, David Collingwood, a seasoned expert in carrier Work Comp claims management.

The discussion sheds light on the pivotal role of EMRs/Moderates in calculating premiums, emphasizing the significance of understanding safety protocols to secure lower premiums and competitive advantages. Return-to-work programs emerge as a vital cost-saving tool, incentivizing employers to maintain lower mods.

David advocates for a proactive, advocacy-based approach to handling worker comp claims. He stresses consistent communication between all stakeholders, from injured workers to insurers, to foster transparency and prevent surprises. This open dialogue proves instrumental in not only addressing claims effectively but also in formulating strategies to prevent future incidents.

For safety professionals seeking comprehensive insights into Workers' Compensation claims, this episode provides invaluable guidance.

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

David Collingwood

LinkedIn

Phone - 9208867651

In this week’s episode, Barb and Ted speak with Jim Haak from Black-Haak Heating-Cooling-Electrical-Plumbing, founded in 1956. Jim is co-owner, with his brother Jeff, in their 4th generation family-owned and operated business located in Greenville, Wisconsin. Black-Haak’s mission is to provide customer comfort and safe operations of heating and cooling equipment in the homes and businesses of Fox Valley residents by providing superior customer service and professionalism which is above industry standards. 

Jim talks about the responsibilities of being an owner and the importance of bringing on employees to take over some of the work and delegating responsibilities. He shares the factors that have attributed to his success, such as valuing employees and customers. Regarding safety, Jim shares the challenges of building a safety program as a company grows, including creating uniformity on what is safe and what is not. Developing policies and procedures for new employees is important especially for  those who may have had different safety experiences with other companies or values that might differ from Black-Haak. 

Black-Haak is a company that’s willing to work and commit to safety!

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Jim Haak Black-Haak

In today’s episode, Ted and Barb introduce us to Jason Kunz who is a Corporate Safety Specialist at 3M company. Jason has over a decade of experience when it comes to a variety of technical and leadership roles. He got his Master’s Degree in Industrial Hygiene from University of Minnesota. He demonstrates his passion for the safety and health profession across multiple platforms. Jason is a husband, co-founder, speaker, coach and community advocate. He uses his voice to amplify the profession and the professional. 

The work that Jason has at the 3M company gave him the opportunity to elevate the health and well-being of his workers. His work varies from event investigation, work at height and organizational and cultural excellence. He shares some of his experience while working at 3M and the value that the company gives towards their employees. Jason mentions that he believes in appreciating, caring and respecting the people who show up for the workforce. Another aspect of safety that 3M focuses on is the psychological aspect of safety. He gives us a brief explanation on how the company achieves this within their workforce. It is important in empowering the employees’ ideas, thoughts and suggestions. Jason shares that the main goal is to drive psychological safety and reduce risk in their workplace. 

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Jason Kunz on LinkedIn

In today’s episode, Ted and Barb introduce us to Nate Ortlieb who is a Self-Perform Carpentry Vertical Lead at The Boldt Company. Nate has 20 years of experience in the construction industry, mainly focusing on commercial and industrial sectors from schools and churches all the way to turn key combined cycle power generation plants. He also had the opportunity to travel to the Midwest for these projects and work with people from all around the world. The new role he has in The Boldt Company requires him to manage multiple self-performed projects, from pursuit to turnover, driving the importance of procedures and communication in these projects.

The role that he has at The Boldt Company gave him the opportunity to handle a lot of people and he talks about the different challenges he faced while working with his employees. He shared some of the incidents that happened at the job site and how he handled them. He said that implementing rules and regulations helped him in managing his people. He shared how setting up these rules improved the morale of the job site. Communication was also one of the key elements in handling people and Nate focused on talking to his employees regarding accountability and engagement when it comes to the projects that they work on. It may be hard and challenging for Nate but he said it’s so rewarding especially because he has the chance to share his knowledge with his people. 

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Nate Ortlieb on LinkedIn

In today’s episode, Ted and Barb introduce us to Aaron Johnson who is the owner of Craft Coating, Inc. The company provides the highest quality zinc plating and black oxide for a wide range of original equipment manufacturers including military agriculture, heavy machinery and many more. Aaron shares with us different ways to ensure safety in his company. It is important to always make sure that your people’s safety is a priority. 

Aaron started his company by working hard and making sure that the right people are hired. It’s essential to hire people to do what they do best. Handling a big company could be chaotic and challenging at the same time especially when you have a lot of employees in your hands so Aaron found ways to help him manage the safety of his employees by researching best practices. He learned from all the experience that he encountered. He shared that the safety of his employees has a personal aspect to it since he treats them as a family. Aaron shared that one of the most important recommendations he could give is to make sure that somebody is going to take ownership of the safety of employees. You need someone who is going to be focused on the job and find ways to make everything simpler. 

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Aaron Johnson on LinkedIn

In this episode, Ted and Barb welcome Chris Burns. He is a digital marketing consultant, entrepreneur, published author and a father of three. Chris is the co-founder of Midwest Fleet and Safety which is a company that provides products such as GPS Trackers, Back-Up Cameras, Dash Cams and a variety of safety solutions that help businesses build efficiency and profitability. Chris is focused on finding the gaps in the marketplace such as service communication and supplementing with safety products. In this episode, he shares the journey he encounters as he helps businesses and companies to attain their goals. 

Chris and his friend started their own company to help their clients fill in the gaps that they encounter with other companies. Their goal was to educate people and inform them of their best possible options and serve them rather than take advantage of them. Chris realized that the goal of one company is the same as the other, which is to have the best safety standards for their employees because it will help them be more efficient and productive resulting in more work done during the day. It’s important to understand that investment is needed to protect your people and to protect your assets. 

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Chris Burns on LinkedIn

In this episode, Ted and Barb introduces us to Michael Teague, CSP. He started his journey by being enlisted in the US Air Force in 1983. He then completed his training as an EMT while serving the country. After being discharged, he worked as a paramedic for an ambulance company. Once he retired, he decided to go back to school and earn a degree in Fire Technology and Psychology. He is currently enrolled in the Masters of Psychology degree program while currently working as the Senior Health and Safety specialist at Heavenly Mountain Resort in Lake Tahoe, California. Michael is very passionate about his work and talks about the importance of knowing how to make the right decisions especially in high-risk environments. He gave us some of his insights on the journey and challenges he encountered in his profession as a Safety Specialist. 

According to Michael, he became interested in Psychology and Safety when he encountered two significant incidents that almost killed 10 firefighters while working as a Department Safety Officer.  He shared that he was trying to figure out why certain decisions were made. He wanted to figure out all the different ways that we make mistakes during a decision making. He also shared that making decisions is part of our daily lives and it’s part of the safety realm that we should be looking at because it really does affect us every day.

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Michael Teague on LinkedIn

In this episode, Ted and Barb welcome Matthew Herron, MS, PE, CSP, CPE. Matthew has over 10 years of experience as a Safety Professional. He is currently the Senior Safety Engineer for the Mechanical Engineering Division at Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. Matthew is very passionate about safety and he even gives back by being a mentor who teaches young students the importance of safety and being a safety professional. He talks about the Professional Education grants offered by ASSP, his journey with the foundation and the start of his career as a Safety Professional. 

According to Matthew, he started his career by hearing about it from someone. He said he didn’t have any idea about safety until someone told him about it which is usually what happens to most of the Safety Professionals. Safety Profession is something that people are not much aware of which is why Matthew is eager to let students and kids know about it. He added that we need the next generation of Safety Professionals since it’s tough to find them these days. Shedding light on the subject is his means of helping the community be aware of the importance of Safety Professionals. 

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Matthew Herron on LinkedIn

In this episode, Ted and Barb welcome Gina Vanderlin, CSP. Gina is an accomplished Environmental, Health, and Safety professional with more than a decade of experience supporting industry-leading organizations. She currently resides in New York, where she serves in an EHS Leadership role. Gina is passionate about personal branding. She talks about what personal branding is, what strategies and techniques can be used for developing and building a personal brand, what can damage your brand and how to fix it, and how you can leverage your brand to impact safety leadership. 

According to Gina, there are a lot of connections between personal brand and safety leadership. And it is a great tool that we do not talk about often enough.  You have to be clear about who you are and what are your strengths, and use them to maximize your potential. Your values guide your choices and your behaviors. People use leadership and management interchangeably. Leadership is what drives culture, and culture is essential to a positive safety environment. Your personal brand influences your leadership style. It represents who you are as a person and what you’re delivering, what values you bring to the equation.  

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Gina Vanderlin on LinkedIn

In this episode, Ted and Barb welcome Patrick Harel, Fall Protection Specialist. As one of the experts on fall protection, Patrick talks about what needs to be improved within the field and gives some good advice and tips. He also shares some of the worst behaviors he sees in the industry today. According to Patrick, everybody knows the basics and the general, but everybody seems to overlook training and education. We take it for granted that people understand and know things. But people do not know how to use the equipment properly, or they misuse it. Younger generations look at the senior people and make the same mistakes. They need basic training. And they learn better when they can touch it and feel it. Fall protection is not simple. It cannot solve every issue. But when you need it, it is a great thing to have. 

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Patrick Harel’s phone: 920-216-9825

Patrick Harel’s email

In this episode, Ted and Barb welcome Dan Goosen. Dan’s professional background consists of roles as supervisor, safety professional, and safety consultant. Over the thirty-six years of experience in printing and supervisory management, Dan has found accomplishments come when all within the organization strive for the same goals, thus motivating individuals to become unparalleled in their positions. To lead by example, Dan shows leadership through honesty, commitment, goal setting, and a true appreciation for the people he interacts with daily. He has a passion for people and loves working with people and a team. He is looking for improvement not only in the manufacturing process but also in improving safety and quality.  

As a spiritual person, Dan compares safety rules and regulations to the Bible, with the law that we have to follow and the challenging part to be on the floor and connect with people. It is important to be present, with boots on the ground, build relationships – building the culture and get people involved. 

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Dave’s LinkedIn

E-mail

Barb and Ted Carew welcomes Brad Scheer, a Safety Engineer with Mortenson Construction. Brad brings a unique perspective to safety, shaped by five years of hands-on experience and a significant incident at work. He stresses the importance of trust, relationships, and pre-planning to prevent mistakes and enhance productivity.

Sharing his personal story, Brad reinforces safety practices, advocating for a culture where safety takes precedence over production. He highlights Mortenson's commendable approach, valuing morale as integral to both productivity and safety.

Brad's wisdom extends to prioritizing training, mentoring, and offering positive incentives for workers. He emphasizes the collective responsibility for safety and encourages proactive engagement. 

Don't miss this episode packed with actionable safety strategies!

References:

Safety FM

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Brad Scheer 

In this episode, Ted and Barb talk to Rebecca Keating and Paul Radke from Columbia Southern University. Rebecca has a Master’s in Marketing and has worked for CSU for five and a half years. Paul has been working in higher education for over 45 years and at CSU for seven years. They share about Columbia Southern University and their nationally recognized Occupational Safety and Health program. There are over 7000 students in associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in occupational safety and health. 75% of those are full-time working safety professionals who are non-degree. Certificate, certification, and degree programs help them to do their job better and to be more credible within their profession and stable within their company. The general process to become a certified professional is unique to this university. They take a lot of the training and certifications that safety professionals have gone through and assess that as potential college degree transfer credit so they can move forward towards graduation. The evaluations of credit are complimentary, and there is no commitment to enroll. Listen to this episode and find out, among other things, how to enroll and get a 10% tuition discount. 

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Columbia Southern University

Paul Radke e-mail

Rebecca Keating e-mail

Phone: 8009778449

In this episode, Ted and Barb welcome Fred Evenson, Vice President of Operations at CR Structures Group. Fred started his career at Miller Electric and worked there for 12 years. He has been in the construction industry since he was 16, and with CR Structures for over four years. 

Fred shares about how businesses can implement safety measures into work practices. And how to encourage subcontractors and vendors to follow safety measures. It all starts in their office, how they look at safety, how they implement it within their group and then bring those practices and details onto the site. It is important to be proactive, not reactive. Training on site is very important for safety. The more experienced team will be more safety orientated. Younger workers need to understand why safety is important. Training programs should be more interactive for younger employees, while more experienced employees want to hear and see somebody talking. If you have a strong safety program, you are going to be more efficient and profitable. 

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Fred’s phone: 920 851 9959

Fred’s e-mail

CR Structures

In this episode, Ted and Barb welcome Kevin Miranda. Kevin is the Vice President of MAC Intelligence and Chief of Operations of MAC Safety Consultants, Inc. The consultants and the staff at MAC Safety have over two decades of experience servicing industries such as oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, power plants, nuclear plants, and many others. They are working on projects across the country. They want to better understand the process and try to not have the outcome bias that always exists.  MAC Intelligence is a culmination of safety professionals data scientists and software developers working together to bring dynamic products to market that help companies better assess, identify, quantify, and mitigate risk. MAC Intel’s purpose is to identify and extract new data points that help companies understand not only risk but how to best mitigate risk at a task level. 

According to Kevin, there is always a better way to do safety. Just because there are no injuries, it does not mean we are safe. The numbers are not actually significant in terms of performance and terms of the value of safety. We are not only looking at the indicators, but we are trying to create more. The larger companies have a larger dataset. They have seen more things happen, so therefore they can make a better adjustment. Listen to this episode to find out how they use this data to make safety better.

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

MAC Safety Consultants

MAC Intelligence 

Kevin’s LinkedIn

In this episode, Ted and Barb welcome Steve Doyle, CEO at Professional Business Coaching, inc., and Brad Herda, a President/CEO of Vision Forward LLC. Both Steve and Brad are fellow podcasters co-hosting a show Blue Collar BS, where they debunk the myth of “we can’t find good people”. 

They talk about differences in communication between different generations in the workspace. According to Steve, there are currently four different generations in the workforce, and each of those generations prefer a different style of communication. There are Boomers, Gen X, Millennials (Gen Y) and Gen Z. The Boomers are the closest to the retirement, while Gen Z are entering the workforce at the moment. When it comes to communication, Boomers prefer face-to-face or telephone communication. On the other side of spectrum we have Gen Z who solve all their problems through text messages and various online communication platforms. 

Listen to the episode and find out how to set up better communication in your working environment if there are multiple generations involved.

Resources:

Total Health & Safety Solutions

Safety FM

Simple Safety Coach

Phone: 888.489.0997

Blue Collar BS podcast

Steve Doyle:

Website

LinkedIn

Email

Brad Herda:

Website 

LinkedIn

Email