Safety Labs by Safety Products Global

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Trevor Farr, a safety manager who only joined the profession 5 years ago - so brings a fresh perspective to the Safety Labs podcast.Trevor advocates a blended approach to safety management, combining human understanding with rules and regulations.Leaning on HOP principles, Trevor challenges traditional accident investigation methods, emphasizing their limitations and the need for a broader, more inclusive inquiry process. He encourages safety practitioners to move beyond blame to foster genuine care and authentic relationships within organizations.Throughout the conversation, Trevor reflects on the evolving nature of safety management, sharing guidance on navigating complex systems by embracing curiosity, collaboration, and a learning-based approach that values multiple perspectives, especially from frontline workers.This episode helps EHS professionals discover a more humanistic path to keeping workers safe.The LinkedIn post featured in the show: LaGuardia Fire Truck Plane Collision: Human Performance AnalysisBook recommended by Trevor: Next Generation Safety Leadership: From Compliance to Care: Lloyd, CliveTrevor Farr on LinkedIn: Trevor Farr, MEng, CSP | LinkedIn Safety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Domini Montgomery, who leads safety and risk management at St. Louis Zoo, offering a fascinating perspective grounded in biology, public health, and occupational safety.Domini shares compelling stories from managing safety where the needs of staff, animals, and the public intersect, including the pandemic’s contribution to raising awareness of the role of mental well-being in workplace safety.With a strong focus on trust, communication and collaboration, Domini explains how total worker health approaches foster engagement, innovation, and safer cultures. She offers valuable insights into integrating psychological safety and becoming a genuine changemaker in your organization.This episode provides EHS professionals with thoughtful strategies to enhance safety by embracing a human-centered approach that balances organizational mission with worker well-being. (And you’ll be glad you don’t have to consider animal-centered approaches as well!)Recommended resources for safety professionals:ASSP - American Society of Safety Professionals | ASSPBoard of Certified Safety Professionals | BCSPWomen in the Safety Profession Member Community | ASSP Domini Montgomery on LinkedIn: Domini Montgomery, MPH, ASP, CSP, CEAS | LinkedIn Safety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Mark Gobert, a seasoned retail safety expert with nearly 30 years of experience managing safety programs at major companies like Macy’s and Williams Sonoma.Mark reflects on how safety has evolved over his career and the specific challenges he faced in retail.He shares his innovative approach to translating the cost of injuries into business metrics that helped leadership appreciate the true costs and benefits of effective workplace safety.Throughout the conversation, Mark emphasizes the importance of listening to frontline workers, whose insights are crucial to effective safety solutions, and offers EHS professionals practical guidance on building credibility throughout your organization.Mark’s insights may come from his distinguished career in retail, but they offer universal wisdom for safety managers across all sectors.Mark Gobert on LinkedIn: Mark Gobert | LinkedIn Safety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr. Robert Long, founder of the social psychology of risk and an uncompromising voice in the world of safety.Drawing on over 50 years of experience across multiple careers, Rob delivers a forthright challenge to the safety industry’s status quo, even maintaining that it doesn’t deserve to be called a profession.“Nonsense” ideologies such as zero harm, and “meaningless” slogans like ‘blame fixes nothing’ are torn to shreds as Rob reveals safety’s ethical and educational deficiencies, and its lack of contextual awareness.He critiques the dominant technicist worldview - narrowly focused on engineering and regulation - and calls for a radical shift towards a person-centered, transdisciplinary approach embracing disciplines outside of safety’s comfort zone.This no-holes-barred interview will sound many alarm bells for safety ‘professionals’ who happily accept the current approaches to keeping workers safe.Find out more about Rob’s work:Human Dymensions - Dr Rob Long - Culture, Learning and RiskSocial Psychology of Risk (SPoR) – The Social Psychology of Risk, Safety and Leadership MaturityDr. Robert Long on LinkedIn: Robert Long | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Mike Fears, who describes himself as a recovering academic and has more than 20 years of experience in occupational health and safety across multiple industries.This is a fascinating deep dive into New View Safety: its principles, how it developed, its originality and, most importantly, whether it improves safety outcomes.Mike evaluates the core tenets of this approach to help us uncover the validity of maxims such as ‘error is normal’, ‘blame fixes nothing’ and ‘workers should decide how work is done’. His research findings help us separate unrealistic assertions from useful applications. But context and nuance are always key!This episode gives safety professionals a balanced and measured perspective on New View Safety, encouraging thoughtful application of its ideas - rather than uncritical adoption or rejection.Learn more about Mike’s work: The Recovering AcademicRecommended reading:Fears, M. R. (2025). The promise and problems of the "New View" of Safety. Vegetation Manager Magazine, 24 October 2025;18-20. Fears M.R. (2024). 349 Pushing the right buttons: creating conditions for developing personal motivation towards safe behaviours. Injury Prevention; 30: A74.Fears M.R. (2024). 698 The promise and problems with the “new view” of safety: weaknesses, limitations, and suggestions for further research. Injury Prevention; 30: A145. Cooper, M. (2022). The emperor has no clothes: A critique of Safety-II. Safety Science, 152, 105047. Mike Fears on LinkedIn: Mike Fears – LinkedIn Profile Safety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Brandy Zadoorian, a certified safety professional and CEO of Triangle Safety Consulting, who helps organizations build robust and sustainable safety programs through her expertise in regulatory compliance.Unusually, Brandy is a passionate supporter of workplace safety regulations and highlights OSHA’s key role in keeping workers safe in America. She addresses common misunderstandings about the agency’s purpose and approach before exploring the major citation trends.Brandy analyzes the effectiveness of fines as a compliance tool and stresses the importance of proactive safety training, especially for smaller businesses. In addition to robust regulations, she also emphasizes the critical need for thorough follow-up on corrective actions to protect your workforce and prevent repeat incidents.This compelling conversation will help EHS professionals work with regulatory agencies, build trust within your organizations, and improve safety programs before enforcement or penalties are necessary.Find out more about Brandy’s services and resources, including her OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 workbooks: Triangle Safety Consulting LLCThe book recommended by Brandy: Basics of Occupational Safety, The: Amazon.com: Goetsch, DavidBrandy Zadoorian on LinkedIn: Brandy Zadoorian, CSP, CSD, LMSS | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Zoë Nation, a human factors and safety expert with over 25 years of design and implementation experience across rail, oil and gas, logistics, mining, marine, manufacturing, and aviation industries.Zoë challenges safety professionals to be more curious, move beyond ‘tribalism’, and adopt more context- and research-driven approaches to safety management: “There isn’t one right answer!”She highlights the common pitfalls organizations face when implementing change and emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique maturity and culture of your organization.Drawing on her extensive experience, Zoë stresses the critical role of end-user engagement, reminding EHS professionals that frontline workers don’t care about safety camps or jargon - they just need solutions based on their work realities.Throughout the conversation, Zoë shares practical tools and insights to help EHS professionals learn from the workforce, influence decision-makers, avoid common blind spots, and create effective safety systems that resonate across all levels of the business.Safety resources/authors recommended by Zoë:The Field Guide to Understanding 'Human Error': Amazon.com: Dekker, SidneyBob's Guide to Operational Learning: How to Think Like a Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) Coach: Amazon.com: Edwards, Bob, Baker, AndreaHumble Inquiry, 3rd edition: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling (Humble Leadership): Amazon.com: Schein, Edgar H., Schein, Peter ASafetyInsights.org – Home of safety & risk research summariesGlobal Safety Innovation SummitZoë Nation on LinkedIn: Zoë Nation | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Edward Tenner, a renowned author and lecturer at Princeton University, whose work explores the intersections of history, technology, and safety.Edward draws on his seminar “Understanding Disasters,” examining major events like the Titanic, the World Trade Centre, Fukushima and Covid to expose how hidden risks can break safety systems.He highlights how overlooked factors such as ‘gray rhinos’ and ‘mode errors’ have contributed to serious failures, demonstrating the unintended consequences of well-meaning safety measures.Through examples of expert decisions and system designs that didn’t work as intended, he encourages safety managers to vigilantly scan the horizon for subtle signals of weaknesses..This episode offers EHS professionals practical insights and historical lessons that help you identify emerging hazards to make workplaces safer.Find out more about Edward’s work, books and essays: Edward Tenner - WelcomeYou can read Edward’s latest essay here: Are We Getting Dumber? - Milken Institute ReviewOther books recommended by Edward:Engineers of Dreams: Great Bridge Builders and the Spanning of America: Petroski, HenryNormal Accidents – Living with High Risk Technologies: Perrow, CharlesEdward Tenner on LinkedIn: Edward Tenner | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Sarah Ischer, CIH, CSP, the Senior Director of Expertise at the What Works Institute, who recently published a ground-breaking report investigating neurodiversity in the workplace.Roughly 1 in 5 people are neurodivergent, meaning their brains process information, perceive hazards, or communicate differently. Yet many traditional safety programs still assume a single way of thinking.Sarah explores why neurodiversity isn’t given the same focus in the workplace as it now receives in the education system and highlights how this negatively impacts the well-being of your workers.She provides EHS professionals with practical and affordable tactics to improve workplaces for neurodiverse - and neurotypical - workers, giving you a new lens to enhance safety systems at your organization.Find out more about Sarah’s work: What Works InstituteThe full report into neurodiversity at work: Neurodiversity in EHSSarah Ischer on LinkedIn: Sarah Ischer, CIH, CSP | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this special 100th episode, we look back at the conversations that have shaped Safety Labs by Safety Products Global over the past 99 shows.The series has consistently explored the major challenges facing today’s EHS professionals, providing a platform for expert guests to share candid perspectives on the realities of workplace safety.Inevitably, certain subjects have consistently shaped the conversations and sparked wider debate on LinkedIn - so you’ll find lots of firmly-held views on hot topics including safety theories, metrics, and blame; frank assessments of the role of EHS professionals, psychological safety and Heinrich; and emphatic statements on safety porn, Zero Harm, and safety culture.Expect rallying calls to action, powerful messages, and hard-hitting insights. And some of the language is as strong as the opinions.Thanks for being part of the Safety Labs journey, and we hope you enjoy this celebration of its success - here’s to the next 100 episodes!Featured guests (in order of appearance):Sam Goodman (Episode 27): Making Safety Suck LessFred Sherratt (Episode 84): The Ever-Changing World of Construction SafetyDavid Provan (Episode 58): What Is the Role of a Safety Professional?Tim D’Ath (Episode 61): A Human-Centric Approach to Safety ManagementBrye Sargent (Episode 11): Who is Ultimately Accountable for Safety?Tony Muschara (Episode 70): The Critical Steps in Workplace SafetyScott Gesinger (Episode 24): The Past, Present and Future of SafetyLeslie Rex Stockel (Episode 91): Making Sense of Evolving Safety ApproachesStephen Harvey (Episode 38): Why Safety Needs More Fun and ConnectionTodd Loushine (Episode 96): Redefining Safety SuccessGary Namie (Episode 41): How Bullying Impacts Workplace SafetyTim Marsh (Episode 01): How Can You Make a Case for Empowering Safety Culture?Stephanie Benay (Episode 42): Women in SafetyI. David Daniels (Episode 30): Workplace Safety is for EveryoneCrista Vesel (Episode 94): The Power of Words in Workplace SafetyDr Tristan Casey (Episode 40): What Does Safety Culture Mean?James Junkin (Episode 37): Thoughts From a Safety OutlawBob Edwards (Episode 53): Managing Complexity in Workplace SafetyKym Bancroft (Episode 05): The End-to-End Process of Safety Culture ChangeStephen Scott (Episode 28): Embracing New Approaches to Workplace SafetyClive Lloyd (Episode 44): The Key Component of Workplace Safety: TrustGreg Smith (Episode 80): The Safety Profession’s Disconnect Between Process and PurposeElisa Lynch (Episode 14): Is New View Safety More Effective Than Traditional Approaches?Logan F. Martin (Episode 22): The Safety Profession: Where are We and Where Do We Go From Here?Josh Bryant (Episode 26): Using Multiple Safety Theories to Implement Critical Risk ManagementNippin Anand (Episode 99): Is Safety Learning the Right LessonsLori Guasta (Episode 95): Getting Back to Safety BasicsMikel Bowman (Episode 51): Leading From the Middle To Enhance Workplace SafetySafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Nippin Anand, an event investigation expert who founded a consultancy specialising in human-centred approaches to learning.Using the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster, Nippin examines how investigations often produce explanations that satisfy the need for closure but fail to reflect the complexity of events and help organizations actually learn.Drawing on social psychology, mythology and anthropology, Nippin challenges many “safety myths” including normal work, zero harm and the role of blame in the workplace. He encourages the safety profession to uncover deeper insights through surfacing the unconscious, using our three minds and focusing on intelligent cues in accident investigations.A key theme is that real learning lies in the tension, and Nippin argues for transdisciplinary thinking in safety, moving beyond root cause and corrective action towards context, meaning, individuality and uncertainty. This interview offers EHS professionals a more reflective approach to safety learning.Find out more about Nippin’s work: About Nippin - Nippin AnandNippins’s book: Are We Learning from Accidents?Nippin’s consultancy (including knowledge space): Home - Novellus SolutionsRecommended resources about the iCue (intelligent cues) process:The iCue engagement program™iCue engagement processDr. Robert Long’s excellent work: Social Psychology of Risk (SPoR)Nippin Anand on LinkedIn: Nippin Anand | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Doug Parker, former US Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, whose illustrious career has spanned labor law, federal and state oversight, worker advocacy, policy leadership and consultancy.Doug explains why regulators are often seen only through the lens of enforcement and what that view misses. Drawing on his time leading OSHA, he describes the broader role of guidance, dialogue and worker voice in improving safety outcomes.The conversation explores how trust shapes the relationship between regulators and organizations, why engagement matters and how fear of enforcement can limit learning and transparency. Doug also reflects on the constraints regulators operate under and what that means in practice.This episode gives EHS professionals a rare regulatory perspective on how to engage more constructively with oversight bodies and use regulation as a lever to support meaningful, lasting safety improvement.Find out more about OSHA: Home | Occupational Safety and Health AdministrationCalifornia State OSHA resources and templates: Cal/OSHA - Division of Occupational Safety and Health - Home PageWorker-focused global resources Doug recommends: Hesperian Health Guides | Knowledge for Action - Action for HealthDoug Parker on LinkedIn: Doug Parker | LinkedInContact Doug directly: [email protected] Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Shawn Connick, a safety consultant with decades of experience across construction and energy.Shawn reflects on why safety professionals are surrounded by ideas yet often struggle to turn them into practice. Drawing on his own experience, he shares his success operationalizing new workplace safety approaches with (all too familiar) resource constraints.Discover how to effectively implement learning teams, ensuring safety is aligned with production and quality, insights emerge before workers get hurt, and your organization improves in all these areas together.Shawn emphasizes the importance of building ‘safety fluency’, helping leaders understand that organizational change is the key to creating safer workplaces. This episode gives EHS professionals invaluable guidance on making new safety approaches work in practice - and on a limited budget.Find out more about Shawn’s consultancy work: Shawn Connick Construct StrategiesBooks recommended by Shawn:- Sidney Dekker’s: The Field Guide to Understanding 'Human Error'- Todd Conklin’s: The 5 Principles of Human Performance- Bob Edwards and Andrea Baker’s: Bob's Guide to Operational Learning- Edgar Shein’s: Humble InquiryPodcasts recommended by Shawn:PreAccident Investigation Podcast | Todd ConklinA HOP Podcast (With No Name)Podcasts - FreakonomicsShawn Connick on LinkedIn: Shawn Connick, CSP | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr. Todd Loushine, an Associate Professor, EHS professional, scientist and Data Analytics enthusiast who has extensively researched how we track safety.Todd challenges the profession’s reliance on familiar aspirations and indicators, questioning whether established goals and metrics actually enhance workplace safety.In this stimulating interview, he explores the current balance between compliance and people, and shares his extensive critical analysis of the data we rely on to measure performance. Other big-picture questions, such as safety’s role and alignment within an organization, also come under the spotlight.Todd pushes EHS professionals to raise ambitions for safety. He urges you to think more deeply and critically about metrics, while broadening your perspective beyond hazards to a more empathetic approach.Resources recommended by Todd:Home - Safety On The Edge ConferenceSafetyInsights.org – Home of safety & risk research summariesDr. Todd Loushine on LinkedIn:Todd William Loushine, PhD, PE, CSP, CIH | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Lori Guasta, a safety leader whose career spans frontline practice, academia and consultancy.Lori reflects on the profession’s obsession with the next shiny object, even though the fundamentals that support safe work have been understood for decades. She explains that chasing the latest silver bullet will actually distract organizations from doing safety well.Leadership development and cultural change are key themes throughout this inspiring conversation; however, Lori’s experience allows her to cover many important areas, including generational change and women’s role in workplace safety.Lori encourages EHS professionals to step back from the noise, reconnect with proven principles and focus on what genuinely supports people to work safely. This episode offers practical guidance to get back to basics and ignore the temptation to search for safety shortcuts.Explore the life’s work of Edgar Schein: Edgar H. Schein: books, biographyLori Guasta on LinkedIn: Lori Guasta, Ph.D. | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Crista Vesel, an academic, author and safety communication specialist whose work focuses on how language influences learning and decision-making in safety-critical environments.Crista explores why safety professionals often rely on familiar approaches even though they fail to produce meaningful learning. She explains how language used around incidents can steer inquiry in particular directions, narrowing what is explored and what gets left out.Drawing on her pioneering work on learning reviews, Crista explains how certain language patterns can unintentionally shut down inquiry, reinforce blame and limit understanding. She contrasts this with approaches that support open and collaborative dialogue to give organizations deeper understanding of workplace safety.This conversation offers EHS professionals practical insight into using language more deliberately, strengthening insights after events and creating cultures where workers share and organisations learn.The Masters of Engineering program where Crista teaches: Graduate | Advanced Safety Engineering and ManagementHer (open access) thesis on agentive language: Language Bias in Accident InvestigationCrista and Ivan’s book: Human & Organization PotentialFind out more about their work: Dynamic Inquiry | All change starts with a questionKenneth Gergen’s book recommended by Crista: An Invitation to Social ConstructionCrista Vesel on LinkedIn: Crista Vesel, MSc | LinkedInIvan Pupulidy on LinkedIn: Ivan Pupulidy, PhD | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr. Simon Goncharenko, a respected thought leader and author on a mission to make safety management theory more accessible. He examines why many organizations continue to rely on specific philosophies, frameworks and metrics to manage safety, even as serious injuries and fatalities remain stubbornly high. He questions what established measures, such as TRIR, tell us and where they can distract attention from more meaningful risk.Known for challenging narrow thinking in safety management, Simon revisits key concepts, including behavior-based safety and safety culture, highlighting the crucial gaps between theory and practice. Throughout the interview, Simon returns to a central theme: safety is not a single-solution challenge. He encourages EHS professionals to broaden their approach, push boundaries and resist over-reliance on specific ideas. Safety is a journey, not a destination.Simon’s safety management books:Save Lives: Pushing Boundaries in Human FactorsOperationalizing Twenty-First Century SafetyFind out more about Simon’s work: Save Lives Global – Safety ConsultingDr. Simon Goncharenko on LinkedIn: Dr. Simon G. | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Diane Chadwick-Jones, a former BP safety leader and long-time researcher whose work has shaped how organizations think about safety incentives.Diane explains why linking pay and bonuses to injury rates often creates unintended consequences, including suppressed reporting and reduced learning. Drawing on years of internal and external research, she shows how incentives can reinforce belief systems that feel right but undermine safety in practice.She shares how BP and other high-hazard organizations have moved away from injury-based bonuses, what replaced them and why peer recognition, transparency and supportive leadership matter more than annual rewards.This conversation offers EHS professionals practical insight into influencing senior leaders, changing belief systems over time and building conditions where people feel safe to speak up about problems before they escalate.Diane’s published research on safety incentives: Rewarding safety performance: Improving safety or maintaining beliefs?Find out more about Diane’s work: Diane Chadwick-Jones / Safety Leadership / Human PerformanceEnergy Institute videos Diane recommends:The modern view of incident causationHuman performance - what does it mean?Walk through a task to prevent incidentsSafety leadership in the fieldDiane Chadwick-Jones on LinkedIn: Diane Chadwick-Jones | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Leslie Rex Stockel, Associate Professor of Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology at Oklahoma State University and a long-time leader in safety education.Drawing on decades of experience and teaching, Leslie reflects on how safety ideas evolved from Taylor and Heinrich to behavior-based safety and human performance. And assesses the impact of approaches like safety third.She questions whether leaders are patient enough to give new approaches a chance and warns against the profession’s tendency to chase silver bullets rather than focusing on sustained incremental improvement.Leslie explores the growing imbalance between cultural and technical safety, warning that strong people skills cannot compensate for weak technical foundations.Throughout the conversation, she offers candid, practical advice for EHS professionals to assess their own gaps, strengthen both sides of their practice and focus on what truly keeps people safe at work.Find out more about Leslie’s work: Leslie Stockel | About | Oklahoma State UniversityOSHA’s website: Home | Occupational Safety and Health AdministrationASSP website: ASSP - American Society of Safety ProfessionalsLeslie Rex Stockel on LinkedIn: Leslie Rex Stockel, PhD, CSP, SMP, FASSP | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Martijn Flinterman, a sociologist, researcher and author, specializing in how organizations deal with safety. Drawing on the work of Niklas Luhmann, Martijn challenges many assumptions that underpin traditional safety management.He explores why focusing primarily on accidents can obscure crucial safety insights, and why categories such as “safe” and “unsafe” often create blind spots. Martijn explains how systems manage risk through distinctions, narratives and routines, and how these can unintentionally suppress reflection, dissent and learning.The conversation also covers interesting ideas including harmony bias, constructive distrust and humble confidence. Martijn argues that too much trust can become negligent, silence can itself be a risk, and safety professionals must learn to act decisively while acknowledging that their understanding is always partial.This wide-ranging discussion offers EHS professionals a sociological lens to better understand complexity, challenge comfortable assumptions and create space for critical reflection in safety systems.Learn more about Martijn’s work: Unter Soziologen / Among SociologistsMartijn’s book featured in this interview: Managing Safety in ComplexityLuhmann’s most accessible writing: Introduction to systems theory : Luhmann, Niklas, 1927-1998Martijn also recommends the sociologist Stefan Kuhl: Stefan Kühl – UklitagMartijn Flinterman on LinkedIn: Martijn Flinterman | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Ben Goodheart, a human-centred safety consultant and podcast host who advocates a design thinking mindset to improve safety outcomes.Ben introduces EHS professionals to the concept of design thinking and its practical application in workplace safety. He explores the importance of workers’ experiences, small-scale experiments and incremental change - and how these alternative approaches can positively impact your organization.He shares cool real-world examples of how design thinking has driven greater safety success and provides actionable guidance to replicate this in your workplace.You’ll also discover what Ben wants you to focus on instead of technical knowledge, how “safety improv” can help and why it’s good to be comfortable with uncertainty.Learn more about Ben’s work: Magpie Human SystemsListen to Ben’s safety podcast: Punk Rock SafetyThe Empathy Map Ben suggested: Empathy Map - XPLANEBen recommends this website: IDEO - A Global Design & Innovation CompanyBen Goodheart on LinkedIn: Ben Goodheart, Ph.D. | LinkedInContact Ben: [email protected] Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Aaron Potash, an experienced EHS Design Program leader with a background in emergency response and diving instruction.Drawing parallels from these two high-pressure, unpredictable environments, Aaron explores why rule-heavy approaches often fail to support real-world decision-making.He explains how practice, repetition and exposure to realistic scenarios - rather than regulations - are key to helping people develop resilience and reliable judgement.This wide-ranging interview provides practical tools rooted in trust, curiosity and open communication to help EHS professionals support workers in making safer decisions.Find out more about Aaron’s work: Original Oaktown DiversBooks recommended by Aaron:There are no accidents by Jesse SingerHumble Inquiry by Edgar H. ScheinAaron Potash on LinkedIn: Aaron Potash, CSP | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Donna Carter, a psychology-informed transformational safety consultant with extensive experience of suicide prevention in remote workplace situations.Drawing on compelling stories from her frontline work, Donna discusses the complex challenges of suicide prevention and how EHS professionals can support workers in this extremely sensitive area.She explores the key roles of trust, education and community and warns us that leadership decisions and messages can influence workers’ mental wellbeing in ways organisations may not anticipate.Donna’s wisdom offers safety professionals crucial guidance on what genuine care requires in practice and how humanising safety can make a meaningful difference for people who may be struggling.This powerful conversation raises difficult but necessary questions and encourages you to look beyond physical risks to protect lives.Find out more about Donna’s work: Home | The Person FactorGet in touch with Donna via email: [email protected] suicide prevention resources: 24/7 Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention. - Beyond BlueBlack Dog Institute | Better Mental Health | Science. Compassion. Action.Donna Carter on LinkedIn: Donna Carter | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr. Ashley Gill, an experienced safety consultant whose passion for developing the next generation of EHS professionals led her to teaching.Through her work educating the next generation of EHS professionals, experienced practitioners and engineers, Ashley has firsthand knowledge of the habits, assumptions and gaps that shape how students understand safety. She shares stories from the classroom and explores the importance of teaching safety principles to professionals in adjacent roles.Ashley explores how OHS education has evolved over recent years and how it can improve even further. She recognizes that certain elements including non-physical psychosocial risks, soft skills and wider culture enhancement should be key areas of focus going forward.Dr. Gill’s unique perspective offers EHS professionals practical guidance to raise safety standards in the real world - and not just in theory.Find out more about Ashley’s consultancy work: ERM - Environmental Resources ManagementLearn more about WISE: Women in the Safety Profession Member Community | ASSPAshley highly recommends the work of Sydney Decker: Sidney Dekker: Safety DifferentlyDr. Ashley Gill on LinkedIn: Ashley Gill, DBA, CSP | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Jake Mazulewicz, a former firefighter, EMT and paratrooper, who is now a Human Reliability consultant and author. Jake translates ideas from Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) and High Reliability Organizations (HRO) into clear, practical actions EHS professionals can use on the job.He explains why incidents rarely have a single root cause and shows you how to learn from accidents without blame, strengthen team performance, and build resilience so mistakes don’t disable operations. Jake shares many helpful safety enhancement ideas including balancing control-based and learning-based approaches, active vs latent errors, and separating the error from its consequence.Jake also tackles myths about psychological safety, outlines different review types, and highlights classic defenses - which have been keeping workers safe for decades. This interview is packed with actionable steps you can implement immediately.Jake’s company: JMA Human Reliability StrategiesJake’s book: Seven Practical Steps: How to Build Reliability, Safety, and Trust in Technical TeamsJake Mazulewicz on LinkedIn: Jake Mazulewicz, Ph.D. | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr. Fred Sherratt, a world-leading academic in the field of construction safety and the founder of Straight Talk Safety. Drawing on her decades of experience and research, Fred explains why safety in construction is never static, and why, at its heart, safety is a people’s game.She describes the unique challenges of an industry where crews, work areas, and priorities constantly shift, positioning construction as a powerful case study for EHS professionals managing change. Fred discusses how production pressures, subcontracting, and evolving environments affect performance, and how leadership, respect and communication keep people safe when conditions are unpredictable.Fred also explores why measuring “safety culture” misses the point, arguing that safety is continually recreated through human relationships and shared understanding. Her perspective and wisdom offer highly practical ways to make systems more adaptable, guide teams effectively, and build trust in complex workplaces.Fred’s company: Straight Talk SafetyFred’s book: Unpacking Construction Site SafetyDr. Fred Sherratt on LinkedIn: Fred Sherratt | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr. Matt Law — certified safety professional, researcher, strategist, author, and podcast host. Matt explores why safety research often fails to actually help EHS practitioners in the workplace.He breaks down what makes research “bad,” the roles of qualitative and quantitative methods, and how statistical findings can be better translated for real-world use.Dr. Law also discusses academic limitations, the communication barriers caused by paywalls and jargon, and how digital platforms — from podcasts to TikTok — are changing the way research reaches safety professionals.This interview is packed with practical advice for practitioners to evaluate research critically, stay curious, and collaborate with researchers to measure what really works in practice.Matt’s podcast: Prove It To Me - Real Research, Real Data, No BS | Dr. Matt LawLearn more about Matt’s work: Dr. Matt Law | Explore Proven Environmental, Health, and Safety StrategiesMatt currently serves on the Board of Directors for the: Society for Total Worker HealthDr. Matt Law on LinkedIn: Matt Law, DrPH, CSP, REHS | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Ron Gantt, Vice President of EHS at Beal Infrastructure and a leading voice in safety management. Ron helps safety professionals navigate the challenges of working with contractors, where hidden coordination costs and fragile common ground often undermine safety.He explains why contractors add complexity, how authority differentials distort information flow and risk, and why coordination needs to be treated as real work. Ron introduces practical approaches to build stronger relationships, from co-locating teams and aligning work hours to asking the unexpected question: “How do we want to argue together?”Ron also shares his views on who should be responsible for overseeing coordination, and offers a more collaborative alternative to punitive contractual agreements.Beyond contractors, he also shares valuable advice to help EHS professionals move away from regulations or best practices and thoughtful guidance on truly understanding how people work.Packed with insights and real-world advice, this conversation shows how better collaboration and evidence-based practice can transform safety outcomes.Recommended coordination research:Dr Laura McGuire:Dr Laura McGuire - Edge Hill UniversitySarah ButtSarah BUTT | Research profileSafety podcast co-hosted by Ron:Punk Rock SafetyRon Gantt on LinkedIn:Ron Gantt | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we’re conducting a thorough investigation of the different theories and frameworks Safety professionals can adopt to keep their co-workers safe.There’s been a palpable shift in attitudes towards workplace safety over recent years, with multiple more-human-centred approaches emerging. But their key differences and relative effectiveness often polarize the safety profession.We’ve compiled a collection of clips from 16 of our previous guests to help define the the different approaches, including:Safety DifferentlyNew View SafetyHuman and Organizational Performance (HOP)Critical Risk ManagementHigh-Reliability Organization (HRO) frameworkBehavior-Based SafetyAnd also bring some clarity to the ongoing debate about which philosophy is best.Featured guests (in order of appearance):Pam Walaski (Episode 66): Changing attitudes to SafetyJosh Bryant (Episode 26): The 3 key principles of Safety DifferentlyMoni Hogg (Episode 39): Defining New View Safety?Andrea Baker (Episode 13): An understanding of what Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) meansBob Edwards (Episode 53): Does HOP lack accountability?Stephen Scott (Episode 28): Adopting Critical Risk ManagementJodi Goodall (Episode 67): The High-Reliability Organization (HRO) frameworkClive Lloyd (Episode 44): The problem with Behavior-Based SafetyMurray Ritchie (Episode 72): In defense of Behavior-Based SafetyTim D’Ath (Episode 61): An alternative to Behavior-Based SafetyAndrea Baker (Episode 13): Comparing Safety TheoriesElisa Lynch (Episode 14): New View versus traditional SafetyJames MacPherson (Episode 64): Bickering over Safety labelsCarsten Busch (Episode 76): Is there an ideal blend of Safety approaches?Dr Linda Martin (Episode 22): The problem with Safety theoryElisa Lynch (Episode 14): Are Safety approaches debates helpful?Murray Ritchie (Episode 72): Get rid of the Safety labelsDr Todd Loushine (Episode 74): Welcoming Safety ideasSam Goodman (Episode 27): Respecting our Safety predecessorsPam Walaski (Episode 66): Safety evolutionSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Greg Smith, an international award-winning author and qualified lawyer who has spent more than two decades specializing in Safety and Health management. Greg is also regarded as a leading provider of Safety training, particularly in the areas of management responsibilities and contractor safety management.Describing himself as ‘Safety agnostic’, Greg doesn’t care how HSE professionals approach Workplace Safety - he just wants to help you be effective. However, he knows how challenging this can be and explains why Safety is a ‘wicked problem’ that is essentially unsolvable.Gregs discusses the impact of legal frameworks on Safety Management and shares real-life examples of the unintended consequences of the criminalization of Safety.Safety processes and measurement are the key themes of this fascinating conversation, as Greg highlights where the profession has become disconnected from its purpose and how this can be addressed.Greg’s highly acclaimed book:  Paper SafeGreg recommends the following podcasts:Safety Labs by SliceThe Safety of WorkSpeakRebranding SafetyAlso this subscription service: OHS Alert | Premium Workplace health and safety newsAnd Ben Hutchinson’s research: Ben Hutchinson | LinkedInGreg Smith on LinkedIn: Greg Smith | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we’re conducting a thorough investigation of Safety metrics to help HSE practitioners measure (and manage) the factors that most accurately reflect Safety performance.We’ve compiled a collection of thoughts, opinions and ideas about safety data, analysis and reporting from 19 of our previous guests discussing various aspects of this diverse and divisive subject.Many question the existing reliance on lagging indicators and proxy KPIs, while the value of Zero Harm initiatives is particularly challenged.But what are the alternatives? Are they easily quantifiable, will they satisfy senior leaders, and where does psychological safety fit into this discussion?This Safety Measurement special features multiple perspectives on these crucial questions from experienced HSE professionals, consultants, authors and academics. We can’t promise definitive answers, but it will help you come to your own conclusions about Safety metrics - and how they can best keep your co-workers safe.Featured guests (in order of appearance):Tim D’Ath (Episode 61): Measuring the wrong things in SafetyBob Edwards (Episode 53): Safety metrics need contextJoelle Mitchell (Episode 75): The problem with proxy Safety measurementsChristian Hunt (Episode 68): Measure the Safety outcome - not the input.Clive Lloyd (Episode 44): Safety KPIs that undermine trustJodi Goodall (Episode 67): Understanding Safety metrics is crucialCameron Stevens (Episode 62): Health and Safety data sucksBrent Sutton (Episode 60): Looking at Safety data differentlyStephen Scott (Episode 28): The trap of Zero HarmDr Nektarios Karanikas (Episode 08): Asking the right questions to evaluate SafetyDr Peter Brace (Episode 73): Can you measure Psychological Safety?Stephan Wiedner (Episode 69): Measuring Psychological SafetyMurray Ritchie (Episode 72): Unhelpful Safety incentivizationMoni Hogg (Episode 39): Measuring the impact of new Safety approachesAngelina Badri (Episode 50): A bad way to measure good Safety performanceJerry Smith (Episode 06): Measuring the adoption of Safety proceduresGareth Lock (Episode 43): The fallacy of using lagging indicatorsKym Bancroft (Episode 05): Alternative Safety metricsMikel Bowman (Episode 51): Perfection doesn’t exist in Safety managementSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Christian Harris, the founder of Slips Safety Services, who also hosts the Safety Roundtable and the Safety and Risk Success podcast. Christian, a social media communications expert, joins us today to offer EHS professionals practical guidance to strengthen your online presence.Christian begins this insightful conversation by sharing his life-changing personal journey into Safety before explaining the concept of personal branding and why it’s so valuable for modern HSE professionals.He provides a comprehensive guide to developing your personal brand and discusses the dos and don’ts of leveraging social media.Packed with actionable advice such as being prolific rather than perfect, which channels to focus on, and the importance of developing a unique style, Christian also shares his fascinating views on the future of safety branding…Find out more about Christian’s work:Slip Safety ServicesThe Safety Roundtable:Take part in the Safety RoundtableThe Safety and Risk Success Podcast:The Safety and Risk Success Podcast on Apple PodcastsChristian highly recommends this book:Key Person of Influence Book - Daniel PriestleyChristian Harris on LinkedIn:Christian Harris | LinkedInChristian Harris on Youtube:Christian Harris - YouTubeSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we’re conducting a thorough investigation of a EHS practitioner’s job description to help you focus on the areas of workplace safety that matter most.We've compiled a collection of thoughts, opinions and ideas about Safety professional’s key responsibilities from 20 of our previous guests.All agree that practitioners are no longer “Safety Cops” but what should they be instead: facilitators, conduits, coaches? Are they best placed to write policies, implement procedures or conduct investigations? Do duties need to expand into workplace bullying, mental health and full psychosocial risk management? And is Safety even the HSE professional's responsibility??This Safety role special presents multiple perspectives on these crucial questions from experienced HSE professionals, consultants, authors and academics. It doesn't conclude with a definitive job description, but will help you decide what to do more of - and what is no longer in your remit.Featured guests (in order of appearance):James Junkin (Episode 37): What is a Safety Professional?Tanya Hewitt (Episode 7): What do we think the Safety manager's job is?Sam Goodman (Episode 27): Redefining the role of SafetySubena Colligan (Episode 34): Organizations don’t understand what Safety practitioners doChris Smith (Episode 2): Safety is the ultimate change leadership positionChris Moulden (Episode 31): From Safety Cop to ultimate team playerMikel Bowman (Episode 51): The power of Safety professionalsDavid Provan (Episode 58): Safety professionals can’t be everywhere!Bob Edwards (Episode 53): Safety practitioners can’t fix everything!Tony Muschara (Episode 70): Safety is not the Safety professional's responsibilityBrye Sargent (Episode 11): Safety practitioners shouldn’t implement Safety policiesBridget Leathley (Episode 19): Safety professionals aren't solely responsible for proceduresDr Gary Namie (Episode 41): Safety should be responsible for workplace bullyingJason van Schie (Episode 33): Safety’s role in managing psychosocial risksMark Alston (Episode 16): Facilitation is more important than ComplianceTim D’Ath (Episode 61): Safety professionals are conduitsCameron Stevens (Episode 62): Safety practitioners' role as a conciergeNicolai Massyn (Episode 63): Safety professionals are ideally placed to manage ESGDr Todd Loushine (Episode 74): The heightened value of Safety practitionersRosa Carrillo (Episode 57): Safety is an overlooked resourceDavid Provan (Episode 58): The future role of a Safety professional…Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Carsten Busch - the "Indiana Jones of Safety", who has over 25 years of experience in HSEQ Management. and is a tutor in the Lund University human factors and system safety program.Carsten is also a Safety historian and has extensively researched and written about the work of Herbert William Heinrich - and shares his finding with us in this fascinating interview.Heinrich is considered by many to be the founder of modern Safety practice, but has become a polarizing figure in today’s safety discourse.Carsten believes Heinrich’s work and legacy should be reappraised, and he helps Safety professionals understand what he actually wrote - rather than basing their knowledge on hearsay.One of Carsten’s main concerns is that New View Safety authors aren’t applying their own principles when they criticize Heinrich and could be positioning his work to reinforce their own approaches.Context is key and you’ll discover what Heinrich actually said, who his primary audience was (not Safety professionals!), and the surprising role insurance companies played in enhancing Workplace Safety in the 1930s.Carsten’s book investigating Heinrich:Preventing Industrial Accidents: Reappraising H. W. HeinrichRecommended additional reading from Heinrich’s time:Men and machines: Amazon.com: Chase, StuartFind out more about Carsten’s work:Home (mindtherisk.com)Carsten on LinkedIn:Carsten Busch | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Joelle Mitchell, an organizational psychologist and human factors specialist, who translates academic research findings from psychology, OHS and human factors into actionable risk management insights.Joelle tells the story of her journey to specializing in psychosocial health, and helps simplify psychological safety for EHS practitioners.She explores key hot topics, such as who should be responsible for psychosocial safety, and explains how organizational structures can significantly impact Workplace Safety.Joelle proposes a well-balanced and highly practical approach to psychosocial risk management that allows HSE and HR to work together in an evolving model.This fascinating discussion covers many elements of modern Workplace Safety, including managing inevitable trade-offs, incentivization issues, the vitality of risk management controls, moral injuries and the importance of humble inquiry.Find out more about Joelle’s current role and work as Global Head of Psychological Health and Safety at: Flourish DXWhere you can also find psychosocial health and safety webinars, podcasts, training and tools.Papers/books recommended by Joelle:On the Folly of Rewarding A, While Hopig for B - by Stephen KerrRisk Management in a Dynamic Society - by Jens RasmussenOrganising for Safety: How structure creates culture - by Andrew HopkinsConnect with Joelle Mitchell on LinkedIn: Joelle Mitchell | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr Todd Loushine, a former OSHA compliance officer and EHS practitioner who now teaches the next generation of Safety professionals as an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin.Todd uses his wide-ranging experience to improve worker success, satisfaction and safety - and in this highly-engaging discussion, he focuses his wisdom on the importance of learning and practicing civil discourse.Many guests on our show believe Safety education doesn’t adequately prepare tomorrow’s HSE professionals, but Todd provides a more positive perspective.He explains how students can be given the right level of challenge, guidance and soft-skill training to help them become successful Safety practitioners.Debates about Safety do not always remain civil - especially on social media - and Todd explores why this happens and how the professional can raise the standards of discussion, openness to ideas and collaboration.Both entertaining and enlightening throughout, Todd compares Safety to a teenager(!) and shares his vision of the profession without a regulator.You can find most of Todd’s lectures on YouTube:T William Loushine - YouTubeTodd recommends Safeopedia:Safeopedia - Empowering the workplace with free health and safety infoDr Todd Loushine on LinkedIn:Todd William Loushine, PhD, PE, CSP, CIH | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr Peter Brace, a psychological safety consultant who helps organizations link respect and accountability through psychological safety to improve team performance.He begins this engaging conversation by clarifying how much influence Safety professionals can have on psychological safety. Perhaps surprisingly for a consultant, Peter explains that you can’t create psychologically safe workplaces. Instead he describes the conditions required for this emergent quality.Peter reveals the 5 key aspects of psychological safety (as defined by leading neuroscientist David Rock): Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Fairness - and how these conditions can be assessed and cultivated.He also clears up the common misconceptions about psychological safety, highlights the key benefits and explains how this quality can be easily measured.Safety practitioners will learn how psychological safety is an important precursor for physical health and safety, while deepening awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion.Find out more about Peter’s work:Human Capital RealisationPeter recommends the work of Professor Amy Edmondson and Dr. Timothy ClarkDr Peter Barce on LinkedIn:Peter Brace PhD | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Murray Ritchie, an experienced OHS practitioner, researcher, educator, and speaker who’s worked with various industries, governments, and NGOs.He joins us to discuss the content of his new book: ‘Seven Bad Habits of Safety Management - Examining Systemic Failure’ (published September 2023).Murray gives EHS professionals an honest, open and comprehensive appraisal of current approaches to Safety Management, covering education, regulations, Plan Do Check Act, the right to refuse, Heinrich, BBS, Zero Harm, Safety Culture, and so much more.This insightful interview is packed with real-life examples from his 40-year career and extension academic research, highlighting where the industry is failing to improve.Murray’s on a mission to propel Safety out of its ‘comfort zone’. This conversation helps HSE professionals focus on what’s important: finding facts and fixing them before somebody gets hurt.Find out more about Murray’s work:Tri-Lens Safety (trilenssafety.com)Murray’s book:Seven Bad Habits of Safety Management: Examining Systemic FailureMurray recommended the work of Sydney Dekker and Clive LloydContact Murray by email:[email protected] Ritchie on LinkedIn:Murray Ritchie MSc | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we’re conducting a thorough investigation of ‘safety culture’ to help HSE practitioners bring some clarity to this controversial term.We've compiled a collection of thoughts, opinions and ideas about safety culture from 15 of our previous guests discussing various aspects of this nebulous subject.The main dispute is whether safety culture actually exists, but even when we get past this, people rarely agree on its definition, measurement and implementation.This safety culture special presents multiple perspectives on these crucial questions from experienced HSE professionals, consultants, authors and academics. We can’t promise definitive answers, but it will help you come to your own conclusions about safety culture - and what it means for your practice.Featured guests (in order of appearance):Dr Tristan Casey (Episode 40): Confusion and Clarity About Safety CultureJames Junkin (Episode 37): There’s No Safety CultureDr Tristan Casey (Episode 40): Defining Safety CultureDr Linda Martin (Episode 22): There’s No Such Thing as Safety CultureClive Lloyd (Episode 44): 5 Levels of Safety CultureDr Tristan Casey (Episode 40): 3 Different Perspectives of Safety CultureDr Drew Rae (Episode 55): Culture has been corrupted in SafetyTim Marsh (Episode 1): Elements of Safety CultureChris Smith (Episode 2): Importance of CultureDr Tristan Casey (Episode 40): Avoid Catch-All Definitions of Safety CultureMary Ann Baynton (Episode 45): How EHS Professionals Can Extend Safety CultureRey Gonzalez (Episode 23): Fostering Safety CulturesDavid Heap (Episode 36): Safety Culture and Positive PsychologyStephen Harvey (Episode 38): Impact of Language on Safety CultureAmy Roosa (Episode 48): Creating Inclusive Safety Cultures for WomenDr I. David Daniels (Episode 30): Open and Inclusive Safety CulturesGareth Lock (Episode 43): Safety Culture’s Role in Accident InvestigationsChris Moulden (Episode 31): Authentic Leadership’s Impact on Safety CulturesTim Marsh (Episode 1): Culture is KingDr Tristan Casey (Episode 40): Safety Culture Versus Safety ClimateSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Tony Muschara, a Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) specialist and owner of Mushara Error Management Consulting.He’s also the author of several Safety books, including ‘Risk-based Thinking’, and its follow-up ‘Critical Steps’ -  which is the main focus of this fascinating interview.Tony begins by exploring the role of an EHS professional and reveals his strongly-held views on where responsibility for workplace Safety lies within an organization.He then describes the 4 elements of risk-based thinking (anticipate, monitor, respond and learn), before sharing his recent research into the importance of critical steps in Safety management. Safety professionals will learn what they are, how they can be identified and what can be done to ensure they are completed successfully - first time and every time - to avoid significant harm.This discussion is packed with wisdom from Tony’s distinguished career in Safety, including why aiming for excellence isn’t always good enough, when to think slow, how to fail safely, and his mantra: “If you don’t have doubts, you haven’t been paying attention”.Your approach to Safety will definitely be enhanced by paying attention to this interview!Find out more about Tony’s work: MuscharaBooks recommended by Tony:Managing the Risk of Organizational Accidents and Organizational Accidents Revisited by James ReasonOperational Risk Control by Derek VinerManaging the Unexpected: Assuring High Performance in an Age of ComplexityBy Karl E. Weick and Kathleen M. SutcliffeOrganizing for Safety by Andrew HopkinsEngineering a Safer World by Nancy LevesonTony Muschara on LinkedIn:Tony Muschara | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Stephan Wiedner, an entrepreneur on a mission to abolish apathy in the workplace. He’s the cofounder of Noomii.com, the web’s largest network of independent life coaches and Skillsetter.com, a platform similar to a flight simulator for practicing interpersonal skills.Safety management relies on trust, persuasion, and approachability, yet EHS professionals may not have been taught these skills during their training. In fact, there’s a common conception these qualities are inherent and can’t be taught.Stephan presents an upbeat and convincing case for why Safety professionals can - and should - develop their interpersonal skills.He explains that the key to improving nebulous concepts, such as empathy, is to break them down into specific learnable practical skills. Stephan teaches HSE professionals how this is done - with a strong emphasis on the importance of psychological safety -  while dispelling ongoing misconceptions about interpersonal skills.Find out more about the foundational academic research undertaken by Tim Anderson investigating the impact of interpersonal skills:A prospective study of therapist facilitative interpersonal skills as a predictor of treatment outcomeThe books recommended by Stephan:Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise: Amazon.com: Ericsson, Anders, Pool, RobertStephan Wiedner on LinkedIn:Stephan Wiedner | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find us at www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Christian Hunt, author of 'Humanizing Rules' and founder of Human Risk, a consultancy and training firm that brings behavioral science to ethics & compliance.Christian helps Safety practitioners understand and minimize their exposure to human risk, and he begins by explaining why he wrote his latest book.Packed with entertaining anecdotes, this lively conversation explores the 3 key drivers of human behavior and introduces a simple framework (‘HUMANS’) that will help EHS professionals evaluate and design behavioral interventions (e.g. a new rule or communication program).Throughout the interview, Christian emphasizes the importance of looking at things from the workers’ perspective - who are humans, not robots:“Think not about what we would like people to do, but what they're likely to do.”In this action-packed episode, we also learn 6 golden rules of compliance, including ‘Compliance is an outcome, not a process’, and ‘Just because you can doesn’t mean you should’.This was Christinian’s second appearance on our podcast (his first was episode 4), and we hope he returns for a third time!Find out more about Christian’s work:Human Risk | Make your compliance programme more effectiveChristian’s new book: ‘Humanizing Rules’:Humanizing Rules: Bringing Behavioural Science to Ethics & ComplianceChristian’s Podcast:The Human Risk PodcastBooks recommended by Christian:“Thinking Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman – https://www.amazon.com/dp/0374533555“Influence is Your Superpower: The Science of Winning Hearts, Sparking Change, and Making Good Things Happen” by Zoe Chance – https://www.amazon.com/dp/198485433XChristian Hunt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humanrisk/Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find us at www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Jodi Goodall, a High-Reliability Organization (HRO) expert who’s been in the safety profession for 20 years. Her operational experience spans mining, defense, explosives, heavy maintenance and logistics, and she’s currently head of organizational reliability at Brady Haywood, a consultancy in Brisbane.Jody’s approach to Safety is based on systems thinking and the practices of HROs - and she begins this enlightening interview by explaining what strategies and organizations this acronym covers.She walks EHS practitioners through the 5 characteristics of HROs, using practical examples of how they can enhance workplace safety:Preoccupation with failureReluctance to simplifySensitivity to the operationsCommitment to resilienceDeference to expertiseJodi explains that HRO is dotted throughout all the current safety theories and calls for HSE professionals to focus on practices, not academia and recognize that we’re all heading in the same direction.She believes there’s too much investment in traditional Safety approaches and encourages the profession to welcome failure, trust the workforce, and be less judgemental and more helpful.Find out more about Jodi’s work:Brady Heywood | Complex Systems ThinkingJodi recommends the work of Andrew Hopkins:Amazon.com: Andrew Hopkins: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, KindleAnd this book about the US Nay culture:Extreme Operational Excellence: Applying the US Nuclear Submarine Culture to Your Organization eBook : DiGeronimo, Matt, Koonce, Bob: Amazon.com: BooksJodi Goodall on LinkedIn:Jodi Goodall | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find us at www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Pam Walaski, Senior Vice President of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), who uses her considerable experience to teach the next generation of HSE practitioners.Pam shares her insightful views on the current state of safety education. She highlights the key gaps, limitations and challenges and explains which elements need to evolve.Safety professionals will also learn about Pam’s personal journey from “safety cop” mentality to seeing workers as the solution rather than the problem. This mindset shift has significantly influenced her approach to safety education, and rapport, empathy, respect, and dignity are key themes in this compassionate interview.Pam helps EHS professionals to stop thinking in terms of “right” and “wrong” and instead focus on learning, evolution and being open to change.Pam recommends these online resources for Safety practitioners:Safety Differently – Innovative and critical safety thinkingHuman and Organizational Performance | HOP HubAuthors recommended by Pam:Todd Conklin, Sidney Dekker and Rosa Antonia CarrilloPam also suggests listening to these podcasts:PreAccident InvestigationThe Safety of WorkPam Walaski on LinkedIn:Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find us at www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr L. Casey Chosewood, Director of Total Worker Health (TWH) at the American National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Dr Chosewood provides a comprehensive overview of the origins and purpose of the TWH initiative - an emerging discipline that he hopes will change the way Safety professionals practice.In this uplifting interview, he discusses his role in promoting the protection and improvement of workers' health, safety, and wellbeing through research, intervention, development and partnerships.Casey discusses the key workplace safety initiatives his team is implementing and shares essential tools for EHS practitioners who want to learn more about TWH.Total Worker Health isn’t just focused on helping organizations keep their workforce safe. Additionally, it aims to improve workers’ health and wellbeing. Dr Chosewood explains how this benefits everyone - including wider society - and shares his inspiring vision for people to go home from work healthier than they arrived.Learn more about Total Worker Health:https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/twh/totalhealth.htmlTo contact Casey and his team:[email protected] TWH Essential Guide:Fundamentals of Total Worker Health Approaches | NIOSH | CDCThe NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire:Worker Well-Being Questionnaire (WellBQ) | NIOSH | CDCDr L. Casey Chosewood on LinkedIn:L. Casey Chosewood, MD MPH | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find us at www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with James MacPherson, the straight-talking host of the influential podcast and YouTube channel, ‘Rebranding Safety’, who also recently founded his own consultancy, ‘Risk Fluent’ (with his wife).In this unrestrained interview (with some colorful language), James leaves Safety professionals with no doubt about how the profession can improve itself.After describing his journey, he dives straight into his forthright views about Safety’s image problem and the “bickering” about Safety theory.James is never afraid to challenge traditional approaches to Safety, but he also challenges the ‘labeling’ of alternative views and clearly defines the role he’d like academics to play.He doesn’t hold back in his damning assessments of Safety Associations and HSE training and shares his concerns about the prevalence and impact of “Trickle-down Safety’.James completes his passionate appraisal of the Safety world by urging EHS practitioners to embrace AI, focus on critical thinking and calm down!Find out more about James’ work:Risk Fluent Ltd - Health, Safety and Culture consultantHis ‘Rebranding Safety’ podcast and Youtube channel:Rebranding Safety on Apple PodcastsRebranding Safety | Podcast on SpotifyRebranding Safety - YouTubeJames highly recommends these other podcasts for Safety practitioners:The Safety of WorkPodcast - The World of Work ProjectCautionary Tales | Tim Harford…and the following books:The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and GrowthBy Amy EdmondsonRebel-IdeasBy Matthew SyedJames MacPherson on LinkedIn:James MacPherson | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find us at www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Nicolai Massyn, a corporate compliance and risk management expert who’s founded several companies focused on EHS compliance tech, regulatory tech, and consulting services. Nicola is also a successful writer and has recently co-authored: ‘The Safety Professional’s Role in Environmental, Social & Governance Initiatives’ (with Linda Martin).Nicolai opens this fascinating conversation with a comprehensive overview and brief history of all the initiatives included in the Environment, Social and Governance elements of ESG.He then explains where Safety and ESG converge and why Safety professionals are so well-placed to manage ESG going forward.We also learn why ESG training is essential for forward-thinking EHS professionals and where to start your learning journey. Nicolai believes that digitization will greatly help practitioners of safety assume ESG responsibilities and encourages you to embrace the exciting opportunities this will present - after all, ESG is here to stay!The Safety in ESG article Nicolai co-authored with Linda Martin:f1martinmassyn_0323.pdf (assp.org)Nicolai Massyn on LinkedIn:Nicolai Massyn | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find us at www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Cameron Stevens, a technologist and a Chartered Health and Safety professional who’s worked in the OHS profession for over 15 years developing expertise in transforming organizations with his unique approach.Cameron works at the intersection of technology and safety, and in this fascinating discussion, he helps EHS professionals understand how safety tech will impact their roles.After reflecting on current perceptions about technology, Cameron explains why Safety professionals are perfectly placed to be the concierges who help bridge the gap between tech specialists and frontline workers.He discusses the opportunities AI offers the profession but also explores the current limitations and ethics of safety data and why some safety professionals may be reluctant to adopt new tech.Cameron’s interview is a call to action for EHS practitioners to develop an innovation mindset and be curious about the benefits of adopting new tech.Find out more about Cameron’s work:https://hseq-academy.com/pocketknife-group/Cameron Stevens on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronmstevensAdditional resources recommended by Cameron:The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Klaus SchwabDeep Tech: Demystifying the Breakthrough Technologies That Will Revolutionize Everything (Audio Download): Eric Redmond, Patrick O’ConnellInternational Labour OrganizationAbout Work to Zero - National Safety CouncilCameron Stevens on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronmstevensSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find us at www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Tim D'Ath, an experienced Head of Safety & cultural transformation leader of high-performing teams in both corporate and high-risk environments. He specializes in the psychology of safety and explains to HSE professionals how they can bring a more human-centric approach to safety management.Regulations and humanity often seem at odds, and this friction is probably most apparent in high-compliance industries - where Tim has had great success implementing progressive safety programs and psychosocial wellbeing strategies.He shares his 4 principles of designing safety management systems and explains that compliance is a byproduct of getting things right. A key theme is workforce engagement, and he provides practical tips on how safety professionals can crowdsource and co-design solutions that interpret regulations into relatable formats for the worker.Tim reflects on current mainstream approaches to safety and voices his frustration at various elements, including imposing solutions on workers, lag indicator metrics, BBS programs, and Zero Harm initiatives. However, this is an uplifting interview with plenty of advice for disillusioned safety practitioners and many reasons to be optimistic about the future of safety.Tim could not recommend Clive Lloyd’s best-selling book highly enough:Next Generation Safety Leadership: From Compliance to Care: Lloyd, Clive: 9780367509538: Amazon.com: BooksTim D'Ath on LinkedIn:Tim D'Ath | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find us at www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Brent Sutton, safety author, consultant and podcaster. Well regarded as a safety coach, he takes organizations on a learning journey to understand how people are seen as the solution so everybody benefits without replacing your existing health and safety system.Brent actively advocates for doing safety when both workers and the organisation learn and improve, and he begins by explaining why HSE professionals need to shift from learning through accidents to learning through normal work.Listeners will learn the importance of variability, comlexity and coupling in in safety systems and the difference between weak and strong signals as Brent reveals how “death hides in normal work”.He shares a simple technique - the 4 Ds - to help safety professionals instigate meaningful conversations with the frontline and explains how making space for post-work reflection can significantly improve workers curiosity, resilience and overall workplace safety.Increased reflection is a key theme of this thought-provoking interview  where Brent isn’t afraid to challenge existing safety practice. He questions the over-reliance on contextless data, observations without engagement and even suggests that workers should lead safety initiatives, with the organization supporting them.Forget everything you’ve been taught about safety management and let Brent show you new ways to support the frontline and allow them to lead in understanding and managing the adaptability of the work they do every day.Find out more about Brent’s work:Home | Learning Teams (learningteamscommunity.com)Download Brent’s ‘Learning From Everyday Work’ White Paper:Everyday Learning | Learning Teams (learningteamscommunity.com)Brent’s podcast:The Practice of Learning Teams (bcast.fm)Brent Sutton on LinkedIn:Brent Sutton | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find us at www.sliceproducts.comIf you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]