On the Safe Side

Cristina Campbell Harris, industrial hygiene supervisor and program director in the Department of Labor and Industry at Maryland Occupational Safety and Health, joins us to discuss heat illness prevention during National Safety Month. We also review content from the June issue of Safety+Health.

Jason O. Harris joins us to talk trust in the workplace and share a sneak peek of his upcoming keynote presentation to be delivered in May at the NSC Safety Summit in Baltimore. We also share highlights from the April issue of Safety+Health.

Nancy Tippins, principal of the Nancy T. Tippins Group, led a team of experts in researching generational differences in the workplace. She joins us to discuss the findings. We also review content from the March issue of Safety+Health.

Mike Van Bree, president of the American Ladder Institute, joins us to discuss National Ladder Safety Month, observed each March. We also review content from the February issue of Safety+Health.

Rommie Duckworth, member of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians board of directors, joins us to discuss the value of volunteer first aid response teams at work. We also review content from the January issue of Safety+Health.

National Safety Council Senior Director of Research Jay Vietas joins us to discuss OSHA’s list of the Top 10 most frequently cited standards in fiscal year 2025. We also review content from the December issue of Safety+Health.

National Safety Council senior safety consultant Mike Ezzell joins us to discuss forklift safety. We also review content from the November issue of Safety+Health.

International Safety Equipment Association experts Cam Mackey and Andrew Funk join us to discuss hand protection. We also review content from the October issue of Safety+Health.

Safety leader, author and keynote speaker Brian Fielkow joins us live at NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Denver to discuss various elements of safety leadership. We also discuss what’s ahead at NSC’s premier event, which draws thousands of safety professionals from around the globe.

Merle Heckman, a Dale Carnegie master trainer and safety podcaster, joins us to discuss how safety pros can take advantage of professional development offerings, networking opportunities and more at the 2025 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, set for Sept. 12-18 in Denver. We also review content from the August issue of Safety+Health.

Abby Ferri, Networks Senior Leader at the National Safety Council, joins us to discuss how safety professionals can benefit from education throughout their careers and lifelong learning. We also review content from the July issue of Safety+Health. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/27035-safe-side-podcast-episode-65-career-education-safety-pros This episode is sponsored by Columbia Southern University. Learn more about them at https://columbiasouthern.edu/ Published July 2025.

Cristina Campbell Harris, industrial hygiene supervisor in the Department of Labor and Industry at Maryland Occupational Safety and Health, joins us to discuss worker protections against heat illness. We also review content from the June issue of Safety+Health and talk about the arrival of National Safety Month. This episode is sponsored by SafeStart. Learn more about them at https://safestart.com/ Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/26922-safe-side-podcast-episode-64-heat-illness

Lori Guasta, senior director of consulting operations at the National Safety Council, joins us to discuss continuous improvement – one of the four weekly themes of National Safety Month (June). We also discuss content from the May issue of Safety+Health. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/26798-safe-side-podcast-continuous-improvement This episode is sponsored by Babbel for Business. Learn more about them at https://www.babbelforbusiness.com Published May 2025

Carl Heinlein, senior safety consultant at the American Contractors Insurance Group, joins us to discuss the impacts of fatigue on construction workers. We also discuss content from the April issue of Safety+Health. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/26670-safe-side-podcast-fatigue-construction

Jason Kunz, keynote speaker at the NSC Spring Safety Congress & Expo (set for April 24-25 in Charlotte, N.C.), joins the podcast to discuss habits of highly effective safety pros. We also discuss content from the March issue of Safety+Health, Distracted Driving Awareness Month and memories from our first five years of the podcast. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/26561-safe-side-podcast-top-habits-safety-pros

Kate Crawford, senior research manager for Workplace Safety Programs at the National Safety Council, joins the podcast to discuss tips and guidance on adopting new safety technologies in the “Five Questions With …” segment. We also discuss content from the February issue of Safety+Health, including our annual recognition of CEOs Who Get It when it comes to safety. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/26444-safe-side-podcast-episode-60-adoption-new-safety-technology This episode is sponsored by KPA. Learn more about them at https://kpa.io/ Published February 2025

Veteran safety pro/speaker/podcaster/columnist Richard Hawk joins the podcast to discuss conflict resolution skills in the “Five Questions With …” segment. We also discuss content from the January issue of Safety+Health, including feature stories on OSHA’s latest batch of most interesting cases and overlooked winter hazards for workers. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/26319-on-the-safe-side-podcast-episode-59-conflict-resolution-for-safety-pros-winter-hazards-for-workers Published January 2025

We discuss content from the December issue of Safety+Health, including feature stories on OSHA’s Top 10 most cited standards and how safety professionals “sell” safety to leadership. Also, Tim Neubauer, joins us to discuss falls and how to protect workers in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/26237-safe-side-podcast--preventing-falls-selling-safety This episode is sponsored by Cintas. Learn more about them at Cintas.com Published December 2024

We discuss content from the November issue of Safety+Health, including a feature story about combustible dust. Also, Eric Persaud, a health scientist with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences’ Worker Training Program, joins the podcast to discuss the safety concerns for workers after a natural disaster in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/26134-safe-side-podcast-post-disaster-worker-safety This episode is sponsored by SafeStart. Learn more about them at safestart.com Published November 2024

We discuss content from the October issue of Safety+Health and share our thoughts on the 2024 NSC Safety Congress & Expo. Also, Jamie Osborne, a public health analyst at NIOSH, joins us to discuss recovery-friendly workplaces in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/26032-safe-side-podcast-recovery-friendly-workplaces This episode is sponsored by The Hub. Learn more about them at bcsphub.com/ Published October 2024

In a live episode from the 2024 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Orlando, FL, the S+H editorial team interviews the National Safety Council's Lori Guasta. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/25899-on-the-safe-side-podcast-episode-55-live-from-congress Published September 2024

We discuss content from the August issue of Safety+Health, including the latest details about the 2024 NSC Safety Congress & Expo. Also, Dale Lesinski, vice president of DiVal Safety, joins us to discuss how safety pros can get the most out of going to Congress & Expo in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/25728-safe-side-podcast-get-the-most-out-nsc-congress-expo This episode is sponsored by SafetyHQ. Learn more about them at myhqsuite.com/safetyhq Published August 2024

We discuss content from the July issue of Safety+Health, including the latest news about musculoskeletal injuries. Also, National Safety Council Principal Consultant Rich Fairfax joins the podcast to discuss what safety pros should know about recent changes to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/25646-on-the-safe-side-podcast-episode-53-hazcom-standard-updates-and-whats-new-with-msds This episode is sponsored by Gateway Safety. Learn more about them at Learn more about them at https://gatewaysafety.com/ Published July 2024

In Episode 52, the S+H team examines content from the June issue, including a feature story with tips on keeping your safety committee fresh and effective. Also, Iowa OSHA Bureau Chief Peggy Peterson joins the podcast to discuss how to keep workers safe in the heat during the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/25519-safe-side-podcast-keeping-workers-safe-in-heat This episode is sponsored by Babbel for Business. Go to babbelforbusiness.com to learn more. Published June 2024

In Episode 51, the S+H team examines content from the May issue, including a feature story on five reasons why falls in construction have remained persistent, and what to do about it. Also, National Safety Council senior consultant Richard Flynt joins the podcast to discuss the four weekly themes of National Safety Month – coming in June – during the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/25401-safe-side-podcast-national-safety-month Published May 2024

In Episode 50, the S+H team celebrates a milestone and examines content from the April issue, including the results of the annual Training Survey, safety and health for remote workers, and work zone safety. Also, SafeStart’s Tim Page-Bottorff joins the podcast to preview his presentation on Safety I vs. Safety II, in partnership with Corrie Pitzer, to be made at the 2024 NSC Spring Safety Conference and Expo – set for May 14-16 in Rosemont, IL – during the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/25282-safe-side-podcast-episode-50-safety-i-vs-safety-ii Published April 2024

In Episode 49, the S+H team examines content included in the March issue, such as a quiz on ladder safety, advice on having difficult conversations at work and issues for women in construction. Also, National Safety Council colleague Amy Artuso joins the podcast to discuss Distracted Driving Awareness Month in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/25139-safe-side-podcast-ladder-safety-distracted-driving

In Episode 48, the S+H team examines the February issue’s CEO’s Who “Get It” feature and some of OSHA’s most unique cases. Also, National Safety Council colleague Maria Cordova joins the podcast to discuss the benefits of first aid at work in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24994-safe-side-podcast-first-aid-workplace

In Episode 47, the S+H team examines the January issue’s feature story on how the safety and health professional’s job has changed over the years. Also, National Safety Council colleague Rich Fairfax joins the podcast to discuss changes to OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24911-safe-side-podcast-changing-safety-pro-job

In Episode 46, the S+H team examines the December issue’s feature story on best practices for preventing workplace violence. Also, Atanu Das, owner of MSDS Writer, a consulting company, joins the podcast to discuss Safety Data Sheets in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24825-safe-side-podcast-workplace-violence

In Episode 45, the S+H team examines the November issue’s feature story on common electrical safety errors. Also, T.J. Lentz, a lead health scientist at NIOSH, joins the podcast to discuss workplace chemical safety in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24723-safe-side-podcast-common-electrical-safety-errors-chemical-safety

In a special episode live from the 2023 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in New Orleans, the S+H editorial team interviews Jane Terry, National Safety Council vice president of government affairs, on pending OSHA regulations, NSC's naloxone initiatives, and more. Taped October 23, 2023. Follow all of the news coming out of the 2023 NSC Safety Congress & Expo https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/congress-live

In Episode 44, the S+H team examines the October issue’s feature story on respirable crystalline silica. Also, Suzi Craig, vice president of workplace mental health at Mental Health America, joins the podcast to discuss normalizing conversations and attitudes around mental health in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24576-safe-side-podcast-respirable-crystalline-silica

In this special episode, the S+H team looks ahead to the 2023 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, set to take place Oct. 20-26 in New Orleans. The team discusses daily highlights and interviews keynote speaker Cam Stevens about the intersection of technology, innovation, and safety and health. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24531-safe-side-podcast-nsc-congress-preview

In Episode 43, the S+H< team examines the September issue’s feature story on aerial lifts. Also, Ryan Pietzsch, a program technical consultant for driver safety at the National Safety Council, joins the podcast to discuss fleet safety in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24431-safe-side-podcast-episode-43-aerial-lifts-fleet-safety

In Episode 42, the S+H team examines the August issue’s feature story on math for safety professionals. Also, Kenna Carlsen, research associate for the National Safety Council Work to Zero initiative, joins the podcast to discuss wearable technologies in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, visit links, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24282-safe-side-podcast-math-wearable-technologies

In Episode 41, the S+H team examines the July issue’s feature story on influence in safety. Also, Mike Kassman from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training discusses trenching and excavation safety in the “Five Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24182-safe-side-podcast-episode-influence-trenching

In Episode 40, the S+H team examine the June issue’s feature story on eye and face protection. Also, Tarah Kile, director of Michigan OSHA’s Consultation, Education and Training Division, discusses safety walkarounds in the “5 Questions With …” segment. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/24051-on-the-safe-side-podcast-eye-face-protection

In this special 2023 National Safety Month episode, the S+H team examines the four weekly themes for this year’s NSM – emergency preparedness; slips, trips and falls; heat-related illness; and hazard recognition – with special guest David Consider, a senior safety consultant at the National Safety Council. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23990-safe-side-podcast-special-national-safety-month

In Episode 39, the S+H team examines the May issue’s feature story on workplace violence prevention. Also, Cal/OSHA Heat and Agriculture Program Coordinator David Hornung discusses heat illness awareness in the “5 Questions With …” interview. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/ext/resources/Podcasts/on-the-safe-side/safe-side-ep39-may2023-workplace-violence.mp3

In Episode 38, the S+H team examines the April issue’s feature story on workplace fire drills. Also, Lori Guasta, senior director of consulting services at NSC, discusses fatigue in the workplace and beyond in the “5 Questions With …” interview. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23812-safe-side-episode-38-fire-drills

In this special episode, the Safety+Health team previews the 2023 NSC Spring Safety Conference & Expo – set for May 17-19 in Indianapolis – and interviews keynote speaker Brandon Schroeder. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23779-safe-side-podcast-2023-spring-conference-preview

In Episode 37, the S+H team celebrates the third anniversary of the podcast by diving into the March issue’s feature story on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Additionally, Reginald Jackson, a safety and health specialist in OSHA’s Office of General Industry and Agricultural Enforcement, discusses loading dock safety in an expanded “5 Questions With …” interview. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23669-safe-side-podcast-pregnant-workers-loading-dock-safety

In Episode 36, the S+H< team dives into the February issue’s feature story on the hazards of working in cold weather. Additionally, Mike Kassman, director of OSHA and disaster response training at CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training, discusses ladder safety. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https:///safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23545-safe-side-podcast-working-cold-weather-ladder-safety

In Episode 35, the S+H team dives into the January issue’s feature story on adoption and acceptance of safety technology. Additionally, senior safety consultant and keynote speaker Jack Jackson discusses how safety professionals can use storytelling to spread safety messages. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23417-on-the-safe-side-podcast-episode-35-safety-technology-and-the-value-of-storytelling

In Episode 34, the S+H editorial team dives into the December issue’s feature story on head protection. Additionally, veteran safety expert and keynote speaker Richard Hawk discusses how safety professionals can enhance their listening skills. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23325-safe-side-podcast-episode-34-head-protection-lessons-listening

In Episode 33, the S+H editorial team dives into the November issue’s feature story on OSHA’s Multi-Employer Citation Policy. The team also discusses how to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, in the workplace with Jack Lu, co-manager of NIOSH’s Musculoskeletal Health Program. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23214-on-the-safe-side-podcast-episode-33-osha-multi-employer-citation-policy-msds

In Episode 32, the S+H editorial team dives into the the October issue’s feature story on how to help reduce the stigma around workers’ mental health. The team also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced changes in safety training with Douglas Castro, operations manager of EHS911 and Global ERA Training. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23122-safe-side-podcast-episode-32-reducing-stigma-mental-health

The S+H editorial team interviews OSHA Administrator Doug Parker live at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo in a special episode of the magazine's "On the Safe Side" podcast taped Sept. 19 in San Diego. Follow all of the news coming out of the 2022 NSC Safety Congress & Expo. https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/congress-expo-live-feeds

In Episode 31, the S+H editorial team dives into the September issue’s feature story on setting up a volunteer first aid response team in your workplace, and discusses the ins and outs of worker engagement and buy-in with Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety. Read episode notes, sign up to be notified by email when each new episode has been published, and find other ways to subscribe. https://safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/22989-safe-side-podcast-episode-31-first-aid-response-teams This episode is sponsored by Bulwark FR. Learn more about them at bulwark.com/wearefr.html