IOSH magazine podcast

In this thought-provoking discussion, IOSH's Dr Chris Davis explores the rapidly evolving skills landscape of the OSH profession: generational skills gaps, the growing importance of a well-rounded skill set combining technical expertise with personal and soft skills and the transformative role of technology to meet the complex demands of modern workplaces. The conversation reinforces a powerful message: in a field as dynamic as OSH, continuous learning and adaptability are not optional – they're essential.

Kellie Williams hosts IOSH future leaders Danielle Thorburn and Jessica Edwards. Danielle, with a background in veterinary science, transitioned into bio safety management at the Crick Institute, where she stayed for nine years. Jessica, initially in health and safety by chance, emphasises the importance of soft skills such as listening and empathy. For the next half an hour, listen to them discuss the rewarding yet challenging aspects of their careers, including navigating legal terminology and adapting to new roles, while highlighting the value of qualifications, and the importance of mentorship and continuous learning. Danielle aims to increase women's involvement in bio safety, while Jessica aspires to achieve Fellowship. Enjoy!

In the second episode of this new series on thought leadership, IOSH's Dr Chris Davis discusses the concept of worker engagement, its relationship with burnout, and the importance of fostering a positive work environment. He explores the theoretical background of engagement, its organisational benefits, and the challenges of measuring it, especially in hybrid work settings. The conversation emphasises the role of leadership and job design in enhancing engagement and the need for sustainable interventions to maintain worker motivation and productivity, with some key takeaways for OSH professionals.

In the final part of our interview, new IOSH president Kelly Nicoll explains why she's passionate about telling the story of the true value of OSH and why the profession makes for an excellent career choice.

In part 1 of our interview, new IOSH president Kelly Nicoll sits down with us to discuss why her presidential year will be deeply influenced by her personal experiences, which have shaped her priorities for the OSH profession.

In this episode, Dr Chris Davis discusses the multifaceted concept of workplace wellbeing, emphasising its importance in creating a supportive work environment. He explores the definition of wellbeing, the significance of psychosocial risks, insights from the OECD forum, challenges in measuring wellbeing, and the ethical considerations surrounding surveillance. The conversation also touches on the impact of hybrid working, future trends in workplace wellbeing, and the necessity for organisations to prioritise employee wellbeing to attract and retain talent.TakeawaysWellbeing encompasses all aspects of life, not just work.Safety and health are core components of wellbeing.Psychosocial risks are crucial to address in the workplace.The OECD forum highlighted major trends affecting wellbeing.Measuring wellbeing is challenging but essential for progress.Surveillance can be beneficial but raises ethical concerns.Hybrid working has changed perceptions of wellbeing.Younger workers demand more from their employers regarding wellbeing.Wellbeing should be viewed as a fundamental right.Organisational culture plays a key role in employee wellbeing.

In this episode of the IOSH Podcast, two members of the IOSH Future Leaders Steering Group, Debbie Linzell and Abhijith Jose, discuss their career transitions into occupational health and safety.Debbie, originally a dancer, shifted to OSH after an injury and now holds a NEBOSH certificate and is pursuing a Level 7 apprenticeship. Abhijith, a mechanical engineer, transitioned to OSH through safety training and now works as a full-time trainer.Both emphasise the importance of qualifications and certification, and highlight the value of networking, particularly through LinkedIn and IOSH mentoring. They also discuss the diverse backgrounds entering OSH and the need to change perceptions of the profession. 

What does it mean to be socially sustainable in the the world of OSH?  What role do OSH professionals play when creating a work culture where social sustainability is at its core?  Hear from Kelly Nicoll, IOSH President-Elect, and Richard Bate, IOSH Vice President on their experiences around social sustainability.

Undoubtedly, adapting to climate change is becoming an increasingly critical factor within the realm of occupational safety and health (OSH). Inevitably, as our environment undergoes changes, it will have consequences for the safety and health of workers, which will result in new hazards or increased risks. Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at IOSH, and Mike Whiting, certification and compliance engineer at Newmac Ltd, look at the impact of climate change on OSH and provide insights on what we must consider at present to ensure the safety of our workers.

Former chief inspector Kevin Myers and staunch campaigner Janet Newsham debate the usefulness of the Health and Safety at Work Act as it reaches its 50th anniversary. Reflecting on the impact this legislation has had, we question its relevance and impact on today's constantly evolving work environment.

In this episode, IOSH's Future Leaders Alanah Campbell and Carly Hughes share their experience of mentoring, discussing the benefits and the pitfalls to look out for.

Professor James Brown, co-founder of ADHDAdultUK, stops by the IOSH Podcast booth at the Health and Safety Event in Birmingham to explain how employers can unlock the potential of workers with ADHD.

Algorithmic management is a technology that can be utilised to manage workers, but what effect does this have on work culture, especially where employees may see it as a threat to their psychological safety and autonomy? Special guests Andrew Mawson (EVCargo) and Tess Buckley (TechUK) explore the risks and opportunities of AI for worker management in the world of OSH.  

This interview explores the distinction between simple ethics and applied and professional ethics and how this can empower the profession to fulfil our ethical responsibilities. Featuring Leeds University's Jim Baxter and Simon Cassin from Ouch Learning and Development.

Special guests James Pomeroy and Bridget Leathley join us to discuss the challenges and opportunities the future world of work holds, and what this could mean for the OSH profession and the workforces it looks after.

Renowned technology expert Cameron Stevens visits the IOSH Podcast booth to tell us about the latest trends took look out for.

In this new series, recorded live at the 2024 Health & Safety Event in Birmingham, we speak to HSE specialist and IOSH future leader Fiona Fullerton and Phillip Muston, head of careers at recruitment firm Shirley Parsons, about maintaining workforce behaviours in a shifting workforce paradigm.

CEO series hosted by Stuart Hughes with special guest Katy Dowding, SkanskaSkanska CEO Katy Dowding talks to IOSH president Stuart Hughes about her long and varied career in the construction industry, and how important health and safety legislation is to her and her organisation.

CEO series hosted by Stuart Hughes with special guest Will Metcalfe, CBREIOSH president Stuart Hughes sits down with CBRE's managing director, Will Metcalfe, to discuss how the commercial real estate services and investment firm views the health and safety of its people.

Livv Housing group CEO Léann Hearne talks to IOSH president Stuart Hughes about turning the business around to keep both staff and customers happier and healthier.

Siemens' chief executive, Carl Ennis, gives us an insight into how the technology giant looks after the health and safety of its 320,000 employees globally.

Farnborough International's CEO Gareth Rogers shares his views on health and safety, in conversation with IOSH President Stuart Hughes.

Neil Carberry, CEO of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, discusses the latest OSH pay figures and gives us an insight into the health and safety jobs market.

Construction remains one of the industries with the highest risks for worker health and safety. In discussion with Rita Zhang, Associate Professor at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, we unpack the broad issues in the industry, safeguarding for young and future construction workers, and approaches to international benchmarking.Trigger warning: this episode includes discussion of suicide.

Featuring: Martyn Hill, Outback Safety

FEATURINGChia Chia ChangNIOSH

The state of Social Security globally is troubled; only 50% of the global population has access to some form of social security. ISSA is dedicated to improving this statistic with a goal to make social security for all a reality. In discussion with Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano, Secretary General, International Social Security Association, we dig into the challenges of policy and legislation for worker rights, explore ISSA's approaches to their goal, and delve into the importance of major events like the World Congress.

FEATURINGThuthula BalfourHead of Health, Minerals Council South Africa 

IOSH Future LeadersNishma Mistry, Charles Fidler and Tor Bennett-Williams

Featuring Siong Hin HoMinistry of Manpower

Featuring Ockert DupperInternational Labour Organisation

In part 2 of our interview, IOSH president Stuart Hughes discusses the biggest challenges OSH faces, the regulations he thinks should be amended, and his new series interviewing CEOs on safety culture in large organisations.

New IOSH president Stuart Hughes tells us how he landed a job at Mercedes AMG, what his plans are for his presidency, and how he'll be marking the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

We speak to Sir Cary Cooper about how OSH professionals can positively influence wellbeing in the post-pandemic workplace.

In this special series, recorded live from the 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 2023 in Sydney, Australia, we interview experts from around the globe to cover some of the biggest challenges and trends in occupational health and safety. In this episode, Kellie Williams sits down with Samantha Connell, President-Elect of the International Occupational Hygiene Association, to discuss deadly dust, occupational hygiene, and how to be 'tactfully tactical'.

In this special series, recorded live from the 23rd World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 2023 in Sydney, Australia, we interview experts from around the globe to cover some of the biggest challenges and trends in occupational health and safety. In our next exclusive episode, hear from guest Dr Andreas Flouris from the University of Thessaly in Greece. He explains why climate change is an opportunity to shift the lens to focus on worker safety and how it impacts the responsibilities of businesses.

In this special series, recorded live from the 23rd World Congress on Safety & Health at Work 2023 in Sydney, Australia, we interview experts from around the globe to cover some of the biggest challenges and trends in occupational health and safety.In this episode, Kellie Williams speaks to guest Dr Susan Peters, a research scientist from Harvard's School of Public Health. They discuss the importance of worker wellbeing and how we should strive to ensure our workforces thrive! Spoiler: it's all about working conditions and job design that promote worker wellbeing.

In this episode, we speak to two IOSH Future Leaders about leading safely with intent – what it is, why it's important, and how it can benefit you and your organisation.

In this episode, we speak to Lawrence Webb  about the highlights and challenges during his year as IOSH president, his hopes for the health and safety profession, and what's next for him.

We speak to Paul Singh CMIOSH, about the issues that continue to keep him fresh and motivated after a quarter of a century in health and safety.

IOSH Future Leaders Carly Hughes and Mathew Cooper discuss what led them to choose a career in health and safety, how they got into the profession, and what advice they'd give to those starting out in their first OSH roles.

An interview with Liz Sebag-Montefiore, director at leadership, development and executive coaching consultancy, 10Eighty and qualified executive coach and career coach. She talks about leadership development, coaching and mentoring and what it takes to be a strong leader.

An interview with Karl Simons, Co-founder and Chief Futurist at FYLD, who has more than 30 years' experience in the industry. We discuss the use of artificial intelligence in health and safety, his work in mental health, the benefits of gaining international experience and the projects he is currently working on.

In this episode, two future leaders talk to us about the challenges and benefits of being a women in the safety industry.Featuring:Sheena O'Brien Terlunen GradIOSH, group risk manager, Sun InternationalNicole Morrison GradIOSH, HSE manager of policies, systems and accreditations at Travis Perkins.

Featuring: Future Leaders Josh Callaway and Megan ColemanIn this episode, IOSH Future Leaders Josh Callaway and Megan Coleman discuss the impact of impostor syndrome and the subsequent stress it can evoke on people and workplaces.

Featuring: IOSH president Lawrence WebbNewly elected IOSH president Lawrence Webb discusses his emboldened approach for the coming year.

We speak to the immediate past president of IOSH, Louise Hosking, to reflect on her year at the helm. Louise tells us about the highlights, the benefits of volunteering, who inspires her, and what she plans to do next.

A truly inclusive approach to safety should encompass all aspects of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). In this episode, two IOSH Future Leaders share ideas of how they've used it to their advantage in their organisations.