S16 E12: Shedding Light on Manhole Safety with Shane Jacobson & Jacob Swanson

In this episode of the DooDoo Diva’s Smells Like Money Podcast, host Suzan Chin Taylor sits down with Shane Jacobson and Jacob Swanson, founders of Light Ring Inc., to explore a groundbreaking innovation improving manhole safety, visibility, and efficiency across the wastewater and utility industries.What started as a simple job site question — “Isn’t there a better way to light a manhole?” — evolved into the Light Ring, a hands free lighting system designed by contractors for contractors.Shane shares his journey from operating a sewer maintenance company in Iowa to creating a multifunctional safety solution now used by municipalities, contractors, and utility crews nationwide. Together, Shane and Jacob explain how real world field testing transformed the Light Ring into far more than a light — becoming a safety barrier, tool protector, aerosol shield, and productivity enhancer.Throughout the episode, we discuss how the Light Ring improves job site safety, reduces confined space risks, prevents tool and nozzle loss, minimizes jetting aerosol exposure, and solves cold weather fogging challenges during CCTV inspections. Its bright safety orange design, non slip surfaces, raised edges, and quick release features make it a practical and OSHA compliant solution for underground infrastructure work.This conversation highlights how field driven innovation can dramatically improve worker safety, public protection, and operational efficiency.Key Topics Covered• The origin of the Light Ring and how it was invented• Hands free lighting for manholes and underground utilities• Improving safety beyond illumination• Preventing tool and nozzle loss• Reducing aerosol exposure during jetting• Solving winter CCTV fogging issues• Enhancing pedestrian and job site safety• Safety grant eligibility for municipalities• Additional Light Ring products including the Torch and Torch Light• Future innovations in utility safety equipmentConnect with Light Ring Inc.Website: https://lightringinc.comEmail: [email protected] Shane Jacobson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-jacobson-8b149882/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/light-ring-incI hope you find this episode as informative and as exciting as we have.Please let us know your thoughts about the episode!Connect with Suzan Chin-Taylor, host of The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast:Website: www.creativeraven.com | https://thetuitgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeraven/Email: [email protected] Telephone: +1 760-217-8010Listen and subscribe here to your favorite platform:Apple Podcast - Google Podcast - Cast Box - Overcast - Pocket Casts - YouTube - Spotifyhttps://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/ Subscribe to the Podcast:https://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/Be a guest on our show:https://calendly.com/thetuitgroup/be-a-podcast-guestCheck Out my NEW Digital Marketing E-Course & Coaching Program just for Wastewater Pros:https://store.thetuitgroup.com/diy-digital-marketing-playbook-for-wastewater-pros#WastewaterIndustry #ManholeSafety #UtilitySafety #CCTVInspection #JettingOperations #ConfinedSpaceSafety #InfrastructureInnovation #MunicipalUtilities #TrenchlessTechnology #SmellsLikeMoneyPodcast