OH&S SafetyPod

Jennifer McNelly, CAE, CEO of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), discusses the Intersociety Forum (ISF) and a recent report calling for a shift in how safety is embedded in business strategy. Representing nearly 30 safety and health organizations, the ISF advocates moving beyond legal compliance toward risk-based, proactive safety management systems. Jennifer explores why compliance alone hasn't lowered fatality rates and how industry consensus standards, predictive data insights, and integrated safety strategies can drive better outcomes—not just for workers, but for business performance. She also highlights why now is the time for unity and how safety professionals can become influential change agents within their organizations. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for safety leaders looking to align safety and strategic value—and to help shape the future of workplace protection.

In this episode, Nick Brown, Senior Director of Ansell Services, explores why safety assessments are a foundational part of proactive hazard identification and facility safety. Every worksite presents its own risks, and Nick shares how a tailored, systematic approach to safety assessments helps EHS professionals identify hazards, ensure compliance with OSHA and industry standards, and take meaningful action. The discussion also highlights best practices for walkthroughs, common pitfalls to avoid, and how digital tools are helping organizations make smarter safety and PPE decisions.  Sponsored by Ansell Sponsored By Ansell—because safety starts with identifying and understanding workplace risks. Thanks to Ansell for this discussion on the importance of safety walkthroughs and Ansell's complimentary service, AnsellGuardian® which helps businesses proactively assesses hazards, ensure compliance, and implement targeted safety solutions. Learn more at https://www.ansell.com/us/en/ansellguardian.

In this episode, Ethan Fight, Executive Director of Operations at Medcor Safety, joins the podcast to explore how strategic safety staffing can give high-risk industries such as construction a competitive advantage. Drawing on his 12 years of experience managing safety professionals across more than 100 construction accounts, Ethan shares insights into how investing in the right safety talent can reduce incidents, lower costs, and improve overall operational efficiency. The conversation covers how companies can approach staffing amid today's competitive labor market, the pros and cons of full-time versus on-call safety professionals, and why effective staffing can boost both compliance and employee morale. Sponsored by Medcor  Medcor Safety provides experienced safety professionals to help businesses create safer job sites, reduce risks, and ensure compliance. Medcor's customized safety staffing solutions support projects of all sizes, keeping workers protected and operations running smoothly. With expert guidance and proven safety protocols, Medcor helps businesses build a culture of safety. Visit  https://medcor.com/services/ to learn more.

Is the future of OSHA at risk? Samuel Pond, founding and managing partner of Pond Lehocky Giordano, joins the SafetyPod to discuss the future of OSHA under shifting political tides. With more than 30 years of experience representing injured and disabled workers, Pond offers a front-line perspective on how changes at OSHA could impact worker safety and employer accountability. The conversation explores political developments that could weaken the agency, the viability of the NOSHA Act, and the implications of President Trump's nomination of David Keeling as OSHA administrator. Pond also dives into the critical role of safety culture, the challenges of state-level enforcement, and what safety professionals can do to lead internally in times of regulatory uncertainty.

Properly fitting PPE is critical for ensuring comfort, effectiveness, and safety on the job, but for women in the workforce, sourcing PPE that is designed with their dimensions in mind isn't always easy. That's why women's PPE advocacy organization The Safety Rack and the Alliance of Women's Safety Apparel Manufacturers (AWSAM) partnered with other women's groups to launch the #MyBodyMyPPE campaign last year to raise awareness about the issue. The co-founders of #MyBodyMyPPE, Amy Roosa, the founder of The Safety Rack, and Emily Soloby, founder and CEO of Juno Jones Safety Boots, join the SafetyPod to discuss why women-specific PPE is essential, how to ensure women workers' PPE needs are addressed, and what's coming up for the campaign this year.

In November 2024, OSHA released new arc flash guidance for the first time in almost 20 years. The guidance covered various areas of concern, including low-voltage hazards; PPE and arc-rated (AR) clothing; hierarchy of controls; worker training and establishing boundaries for arc flash hazards. Scott Margolin, Vice President of Technical at Tyndale and Chairman of the Board for the Partnership for Electrical Safety (PES), joins the podcast to discuss the key elements of the guidance, as well as why OSHA chose to release the guidance and how the PES is working to increase electrical safety for workers.  

Workers entering and working in confined spaces face a number of potentially fatal hazards such as insufficient oxygen, physical hazards including falls, and toxic or flammable atmospheres. Fortunately, new technology innovations are helping to improve their safety. Todd Connelly, Rental Sales Manager for Blackline Safety, joins the podcast to discuss why confined space entries persist as a safety concern; key considerations when evaluating CSE approaches; and how smart, connected safety solutions can help manage confined space hazards. This episode is sponsored by Blackline Safety. Over 2 million workers in the United States conduct permit-required confined space entries per year and can face life-threatening challenges. The threat of toxic and explosive gases, oxygen deficiency, and extreme temperatures mean working conditions can quickly turn deadly. But thanks to innovations in smart technology, times have changed—and safety has improved. Learn more at www.blacklinesafety.com.

If you're a regular reader of Occupational Health & Safety, then you're probably familiar with Robert Pater. Pater is the managing director and creator of the MoveSMART system to reduce soft-tissue injuries and slips, trips, and falls, and he's quickly approaching his 20-year anniversary of writing the Breakthrough Strategies column for OH&S. Moreover, he's written nearly 200 articles for OH&S as well. Robert joins the podcast to talk about the upcoming anniversary of his column, as well as to discuss why slips, trips and falls continue to be a significant workplace safety topic, as well as other safety trends and risks that he thinks should be on safety professionals' radars. Like Robert's columns, this interview is full of safety insights.

Certifications in the fire, life, and electrical safety fields play crucial roles. Daniel Pickel, the Director of Certification and Accreditation at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), joins the podcast to discuss topics such as how certifications help safety professionals stay up-to-date, how is technology influencing the certification landscape, and recent trends in certifications and emerging certifications that should professionals be aware of. Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering their mission. Visit www.nfpa.org to learn more.

The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association recently enjoyed its 40th anniversary as well as the 40th edition of its annual Safety+ Symposium, which ran Aug. 25-28 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colo. VPPPA Executive Director Chris Williams, CAE, joins the podcast to discuss how the association and the show have evolved over time; significant takeaways and highlights from the event; and the future of safety and the role of innovations such as artificial intelligence in safety. Listen in on this far-reaching discussion about the milestone anniversary and safety as a whole. Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering their mission. Visit www.nfpa.org to learn more.  

In this episode of the OH&S Safety Pod, OH&S Content Editor Robert Yaniz Jr. speaks with OH&S Executive Editor David Kopf about his experience at the 2024 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 16-18. They discuss key highlights from the event, including the scope of this year's edition, OSHA's 10 most frequently cited standards, new workplace fatality data, and the new partnership between the National Safety Council and Avetta.

In this episode of the OH&S SafetyPod, Robert Yaniz Jr. speaks with Eric Whitley, director of industrial transformation at L2L, about the role of digital communication tools in improving safety, transparency and efficiency in the manufacturing sector. With L2L's recent report What's Holding Manufacturers Back in 2024? as a springboard, we discuss how technology is helping bridge the gap in workforce safety challenges.

The American Society of Safety Professionals held its 63rd annual Safety conference and expo August 7-9 in Denver last week, and Occupational Health & Safety's Robert Yaniz, Jr. and David Kopf discuss Safety 2024's highlights, including its record-breaking attendance, the offerings on the expo floor, the conference, and the compelling opening keynote address. For anyone who couldn't make the show, this episode is jam-packed with details on what made Safety 2024 event so compelling. Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering their mission. Visit www.nfpa.org to learn more.

For the past four years, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has conducted an annual Corporate Listening Tour in which it surveys business leaders on their safety concerns. It then releases an annual report based on that tour. The 2024 edition of that report yielded some eye-opening and helpful workplace safety insights. Jennifer McNelly, the Chief Executive Officer of ASSP, joins the podcast to discuss what the association learned from corporate leaders this year, and the trends are thought-provoking, to say the least. They cover workplace safety applications of AI, empowering workplace safety and health leaders in the changing workplace, and much more. This is a conversation you don't want to miss.

Various kinds of disasters pose a wide spectrum of respiratory hazards for first responders, so how can they be kept safe? Dennis Terpin, Ph.D. joins the SafetyPod to discuss key topics related to this issue, such as the elements of hazard and risk assessment for those types of disasters; how health and safety planning vary in terms of the type of disaster and how this impacts respiratory safety; the key components of a respiratory protection program in disaster scenarios; and how the RAIN model applies to protecting responders' from respiratory hazards during disaster response. Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering their mission. Visit www.nfpa.org to learn more.  

Recent advancements in AI are already changing the way safety professionals protect their workers. But as the technology continues to evolve, the effect AI has on workplace safety will likely only intensify, as a new norm begins to take shape. In this episode, R. Mukund, founder and CEO of Benchmark Gensuite, joins the OH&S SafetyPod to discuss how AI is enhancing safety measures across industries, how this technology plays into compliance issues and what the future might hold for AI's role in workplace safety.

When it comes to workplace safety, standards compliance only gets you so far. Bartholomew Jay from the NFPA joins the podcast to delve into the critical nature of safety training beyond basic compliance to prevent injuries and operational disruptions. Jae discusses the dynamic nature of safety codes and the importance of staying current with emerging safety trends, technologies, and best practices to enhance workplace safety and operational continuity. This episode is particularly valuable for those looking to deepen their understanding of how proactive safety training contributes to not just safety, but overall business resilience. Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering their mission. Visit www.nfpa.org to learn more.

After ten years of accident-free operation at Leeco Steel's Houston facility, Chad Schuh and Ben Kincheloe — Leeco's VP of operations and director of Safety, respectively — join the OH&S SafetyPod to discuss the company's approach to safety culture, what strategies Leeco put in place to achieve a decade without incident at its Houston location and what other companies looking to emulate Leeco's milestone can do to mitigate worker risk without sacrificing company-wide productivity. Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association Empower Your Business with Global Safety Solutions from the Experts Developed by leading experts, NFPA products and solutions help your business improve performance to complete more projects, retain top talent, increase profits, and help reduce loss or damage to people and property. Contact an NFPA Enterprise Specialist today for a customized recommendation of the best NFPA products and services to help meet your business goals. To learn more, visit www.nfpa.org/enterprisesales.

Workplace violence, harassment and mental health continue to be key concerns for workers. But the big picture regarding the true state of these serious matters often remains unclear. Elissa Rossi, VP of compliance advisory services at Traliant, joins the OH&S SafetyPod to discuss Traliant's 2024 employee survey report on this topic, giving voice to over 1,000 workers. We'll address some of the study's most significant findings, the impact of hybrid work models and what employers can do to combat workplace violence, harassment and mental health in their organizations. Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association Empower Your Business with Global Safety Solutions from the Experts Developed by leading experts, NFPA products and solutions help your business improve performance to complete more projects, retain top talent, increase profits, and help reduce loss or damage to people and property. Contact an NFPA Enterprise Specialist today for a customized recommendation of the best NFPA products and services to help meet your business goals. To learn more, visit www.nfpa.org/enterprisesales.

Workplace drug testing has existed for decades with lab-based urine testing being the dominant test method for much of that time. However, new technologies have ushered in new approaches, which could have come at a better time given how recreational marijuana laws could impact worker safety. Bill Current, the president and founder of the Current Consulting Group, joins the OH&S SafetyPod to talk about those laws, innovations such as oral fluid testing, and how those technologies are helping employers maintain safe and healthy workplaces. Sponsored by OraSure Technologies OraSure's drug and alcohol testing portfolio is a minimally invasive, observed collection to detect recent drug use. The Intercept® and OralTox® Oral Fluid Tests offer a simple collection process, reduce sample tampering, and provide accurate results. Q.E.D., OraSure's point-of-care alcohol test, offers quantitative ethanol detection with a high correlation to blood levels, and SwabTek our newest product launch can detect drugs on surfaces, and in suspected paraphernalia, within 30 seconds. Visit www.orasure.com to learn more.

As Women's History Month and Women in Construction Week fall in March, OH&S's SafetyPod examines the role of women in worker safety. Shawna Fraser Nagle, MS, CSP, CHST, CUSP, the Vice President of Safety at Newton, Mass.-headquartered Fraser Engineering Co. Inc., joins the podcast to discuss her experience in workplace safety, as well as the unique abilities and value that women bring to worker safety. Other topics discussed include how safety organizations are cultivating that value, and the future of women in workplace safety. Sponsored by Columbia Southern University For 30 years, Columbia Southern University has been a leader in occupational safety and health education. Taught by experienced safety experts, CSU's bachelor's and master's degree programs in occupational safety and health are recognized by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as Graduate Safety Practitioner® Qualified Academic Programs. Visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu/OHS to learn more.

Occupational Health & Safety's Executive Editor David Kopf and Content Editor Robert Yaniz, Jr. kick off the new year by talking about a few safety initiatives and trends that will impact the next 12 months. Those developments, include efforts to combat workplace overdose deaths, address worker mental health, child labor investigations and more “tailored” PPE design. Additionally, Kopf and Yaniz also preview some of the editorial efforts OH&S has in the works for 2024, including our webinar programs, event coverage, online features and more.

Ergonomics continues to get increased attention in the workplace, but worker safety and health professionals face a number of challenges when trying to ensure good ergonomics. Sofia Kiriukhina, the Head of Customer Success at TuMeke Ergonomics, joins the OH&S SafetyPod to discuss the role of ergonomics in full-circle employee health. It turns out that the ergonomics challenges facing businesses might also open the door to some new opportunities through innovations, technologies and rethinking previous approaches to ergonomics and assessments. Sponsored by TuMeke Ergonomics: Reduce injuries and sustain productivity by automating ergonomic risk assessments with TuMeke Ergonomics. Born out of a collaboration between experts in technology and ergonomics, the company has grown to become a standard tool in the U.S. workers' compensation insurance industry and among the world's largest industrial firms. We are on a mission to eliminate workplace musculoskeletal injuries. No wearables, only video-based technology. To learn more, visit tumeke.io

Every section of a Safety Data Sheet is important, but there are several sections of SDS that often get less attention than they should. Well-known workplace safety expert Stephen E. Badger, CSP, OHST, WCP, manager of loss control for The MEMIC Group, joins the SafetyPod to share his insights on four key SDS sections employees and employers need to follow more closely and why. Badger focuses his attention on sections 8, 9, 7, and 11 and digs into the crucial details of each. Sponsored by Scraper Systems™ by Rite-Hite®: Scraper Systems™ by Rite-Hite® is North America's leading name in automated rooftop snow removal from truck fleets. Safely clear 24 inches of snow and ice in less than 30 seconds. Scraper Systems' fleet plows help reduce winter risks, protect your brand, and get your fleet on the road quickly after a snowstorm. Scraper Systems are ready to ship for this winter. Contact us at Scrapersystems.com or 888-340-4344 to learn more today!

The winter months are now upon us, bringing in a range of seasonal safety hazards and risks that businesses and industries have to deal with in order to keep workers safe. Brendan Moriarty, Vice President, Casualty Executive Field Specialist, North America Risk Engineering at Chubb, joins the podcast to discuss several winter hazards impacting many businesses across a variety of industries and how those businesses can address those hazards and keep workers safe. From frostbite and hypothermia to slips and falls to vehicle risks, Moriarty offers a wealth of winter safety solutions. Sponsored by NFPA® Global Business Solutions:  Operate your organization at a higher level with NFPA® Global Business Solutions. Developed by leading experts, NFPA products and solutions help your business improve performance to complete more projects, retain top talent, increase profits, and help reduce loss or damage to people and property. Contact an NFPA Global Solutions Specialist today for a customized recommendation of the best NFPA products and services to help meet your business goals. To learn more, visit www.nfpa.org/Training-and-Events/By-type/Onsite

Regular readers of Occupational Health & Safety's website, enewsletter and social media accounts saw our regular updates from the show floor and key conferences sessions at NSC's Safety Congress & Expo 2023 in New Orleans, but we wanted to use this episode to hit on some key highlights. Executive editor David Kopf and content editor Robert Yaniz, Jr. discuss NSC's new Respond Ready Workplace program; the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion panel; the Campbell Institute Forum discussion on training multi-generational workforces; and OSHA's annual Top 10 violations announcement.

Connected safety is coming — are you ready? Every business is responsible for employee safety, but that has become challenging in today's business climate due to reasons that most people couldn't have foreseen even a few years ago. However, connected safety offers a multi-faceted set of solutions for overcoming those challenges. Shawn Gregg, Vice President of Global Safety for Wesco, and Lorenza Ordonez, Global Director of Safety Sales & Strategy for Wesco, join the podcast to discuss how connected safety solutions can help your business mitigate risk, manage compliance and protect your workforce.  Special Thanks to This Episode's Sponsors: Wesco Your company is responsible for getting your employees home safely every day, no matter where they work or what they do. Still, building and maintaining your safety program can be a challenging task. New technologies have emerged to help solve this problem, and connected safety solutions are making it easier than ever for businesses to protect their bottom line. To learn more, visit Wesco.com/safety.

Columbia Southern University has unveiled a new program to help safety professionals take their expertise to the next level. CSU's new Doctor of Occupational Safety and Health program helps workplace safety managers build strong analytical skills to help them apply safety statistics, data and research to their real-world jobs. Dr. Dan Corcoran, the Academic Program Director of Occupational Safety and Health and Environmental Management at CSU, joins the podcast to discuss the new program, why it was created, how it helps safety managers, and how it helps workplace safety. Special Thanks to This Episode's Sponsor, Columbia Southern University: Columbia Southern University is dedicated to advancing the safety profession through education. Our newest safety degree program, the Doctor of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) gives you the opportunity to capitalize on years of experience while making lasting contributions in the field of safety. Visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu/OHS to learn more.

Public Works workers are often first on the scene at public emergencies and last to leave. Moreover, on any given day, they can be exposed to 50 different types of hazards or potential exposures. Well-known industry speaker, educator and writer Dr. Dennis Terpin joins the podcast to discuss the role of public works employees in emergency management; the common safety and health challenges facing them; and the need for designated safety officers in the realm of Public Works. Sponsored by NFPA® Global Business Solutions:  Operate your organization at a higher level with NFPA® Global Business Solutions. Developed by leading experts, NFPA products and solutions help your business improve performance to complete more projects, retain top talent, increase profits, and help reduce loss or damage to people and property. Contact an NFPA Global Solutions Specialist today for a customized recommendation of the best NFPA products and services to help meet your business goals. To learn more, visit www.nfpa.org/Training-and-Events/By-type/Onsite

Body: Fall protection consistently ranks first on OSHA's Top 10 safety violations, with many falls occurring from rooftops. Understanding these risks and implementing safety measures is crucial. In this episode, Daniel Huntington, General Manager at Kee Safety Inc. and a seasoned compliance educator and rooftop safety trainer, delves into the four primary danger zones on rooftops and how safety professionals can better protect workers in these areas. Special Thanks to This Episode's Sponsors, Kee Safety: Kee Safety is the leading expert and global manufacturer of safety components and fall protection systems. They are fully committed to Separating People from Hazards. Established in 1934, Kee Safety has a proud history of engineering, manufacturing, and supplying the most trusted fall protection solutions, safety railing systems, and safe access equipment for working at height. To learn more, visit www.keesafety.com

Our cast of editorial characters is slightly changing here at Occupational Health & Safety magazine. Associate Content Editor Alexandria Saurman will be moving to another department at our parent company, 1105 Media, and business journalist Robert Yaniz, Jr. has joined our team to continue her work. Learn more about Robert, what he will be doing here at OH&S, and more about Alex's new role. 

In the last decade, the U.S. has seen much change when it comes the rules and laws about drugs. As the conversation around this topic—be it legalization, decriminalization or approved testing methods—grows, so will the discussion on workplace drug testing. In this episode, Bill Current, considered one of the foremost experts on workplace drug and alcohol testing and the employee screening industry, talks about the U.S. Department of Transportation's recent final rule on oral fluid drug testing, urine versus oral fluid testing and much more. Download or stream this episode today at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and more. 

Zach Pucillo, the EHS compliance Manager with KPA, joins the SafetyPod to discuss the top five OSHA violations in construction. Pucillo answers pertinent questions such as: What are those violations? How many are perennial problems? What are the key safety issues that result in violations? What steps can be taken to reduce, mitigate and protect against them? Sponsored by NFPA® Global Business Solutions. Developed by leading experts, NFPA products and solutions help your business improve performance to complete more projects, retain top talent, increase profits, and help reduce loss or damage to people and property. Contact an NFPA Global Solutions Specialist today for a customized recommendation of the best NFPA products and services to help meet your business goals. To learn more, visit www.nfpa.org/Training-and-Events/By-type/Onsite

OH&S Executive Editor David Kopf sits down with OH&S Associate Content Editor Alex Saurman to discuss one of his key takeaways from the American Society of Safety Professionals' Safety 2023 Conference and Expo held from June 5 to 7, 2023.

Lester Tiro of SafetyLine Lone Worker joins the podcast to talk about various issues and challenges of lone worker safety, as well as strategies and tools for enhancing lone worker safety. Additionally, Tiro shares a sneak peek of some findings uncovered in a forthcoming study that SafetyLine Lone Worker will release later this year. Sponsored by NFPA® Global Business Solutions. Developed by leading experts, NFPA products and solutions help your business improve performance to complete more projects, retain top talent, increase profits, and help reduce loss or damage to people and property. Contact an NFPA Global Solutions Specialist today for a customized recommendation of the best NFPA products and services to help meet your business goals. To learn more, visit www.nfpa.org/Training-and-Events/By-type/Onsite

Business and safety are two topics that go hand-in-hand. Yet, the business side of safety is not something that's often discussed. In this episode of the OH&S SafetyPod, Gavin Coyle, a Global Safety leader, CEO, safety influencer and business Board Advisor with over 25 years of experience holding safety leadership and business consulting positions, sheds light on this subject and talks about how looking at finances can benefit both a company and its employees.

Electrical safety expert Zarheer Jooma, P.E., IEEE (SM'17), an electrical engineer with e-Hazard, which provides arc flash and electrical safety training, shares insights into adequate risk assessment, the kinds of necessary PPE, common human errors that often lead to arch flash incidents, and key elements that go into effective electrical safety training programs. Sponsored by NFPA® Global Business Solutions. Developed by leading experts, NFPA products and solutions help your business improve performance to complete more projects, retain top talent, increase profits, and help reduce loss or damage to people and property. Contact an NFPA Global Solutions Specialist today for a customized recommendation of the best NFPA products and services to help meet your business goals. To learn more, visit www.nfpa.org/Training-and-Events/By-type/Onsite

Construction Safety Week runs May 1-5, and a big component of this year's event is how everyone involved in a construction project can own and act on safety to positively impact the mental health safety of their coworkers. Ralph Blessing, a professor at Columbia Southern University, discusses the importance of safeguarding mental health in the workplace. A special thank you to Columbia Southern University: For 30 years, Columbia Southern University has been a leader in occupational safety and health education. Taught by experienced safety experts, CSU's bachelor's and master's degree programs in occupational safety and health are recognized by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as Graduate Safety Practitioner® Qualified Academic Programs. Visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu/OHS or call (877) 347-6050 to learn more.

In this episode, Sydny Shepard says farewell and ushers in a new era of editorial leadership for Occupational Health & Safety.

Happy New Year! Listen in as Editor Sydny Shepard discusses ways to prioritize health at work in 2023.

2023 is upon us. Editor Sydny Shepard talks all about making New Year's Resolutions for safety and how to stick with them.

In this episode, Editor Sydny Shepard discusses some of the most cited companies in 2022.

Let's talk testing for occupational hearing loss. Editor Sydny Shepard sits down with SHOEBOX's Alexa Gough to talk all about Hearing Conservation Programs, hearing testing and more. A special thank you to SHOEBOX SHOEBOX is the maker of the world's first automated audiometer purpose built for occupational hearing testing. For almost a decade, SHOEBOX has been leading the evolution of hearing testing solutions and was the first to optimize for testing outside of a sound booth or mobile clinic. SHOEBOX has helped 1000s of customers and some of the most recognizable brands globally take back control of their testing program. Employers and Health and Safety Professionals rely on SHOEBOX to help them save time, save money, and improve compliance. Think outside the booth with SHOEBOX. Learn more at shoebox.md/safetypod

Keeping workers healthy though the unhealthiest season of the year is tough. Here's some ways to protect workers from seasonal illnesses.

In this episode, Editor Sydny Shepard takes a look at what is in store for the safety and health industry in the future.

In this episode, Editor Sydny Shepard discusses how protecting employee data is essential to worker safety.

Everyone learns differently so it is important to incorporate different training styles for knowledge retention and safer work.

Editor Sydny Shepard sits down with NFPA LiNK Director Kyle Spencer to talk all about NFPA's inspiration for LiNK, recent updates to the program and the future of digitization at NFPA.   A special thank you to the National Fire Protection Association. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering their mission. NFPA LiNK™ is the information delivery platform set to revolutionize how you work. Put safety expertise at your fingertips with digital NFPA® codes and standards. Utilize dynamic search functionality, bookmarking, and the ability to share and collaborate with others to save time and get the job done right. With NFPA LiNK™ you can go by the book without the book to get the job done right faster and more efficiently.

Encouraging employees to stop the job in an unsafe scenario comes with a long list of complications. Listen in as Editor Sydny Shepard discusses how you can encourage employees to prioritize health and safety.

Artificial intelligence may sound like something from the future, but it is already changing the way companies enhance their workplace safety programs. On this episode of the podcast, Editor Sydny Shepard sits down with SparkCognition's Stephen Gold to talk about how advanced technologies can seamlessly fit in with your program today. A special thank you to SparkCognition. SparkCognition's award-winning AI solutions allow organizations to predict future outcomes, optimize processes, and prevent cyberattacks. We partner with the world's industry leaders to analyze, optimize, and learn from data, augment human intelligence, drive profitable growth, and achieve operational excellence. Our patented AI, machine learning, and natural language technologies lead the industry in innovation and accelerate digital transformation. Our solutions allow organizations to solve critical challenges—prevent unexpected downtime, maximize asset performance, optimize prices, and ensure worker safety while avoiding zero-day cyberattacks on essential IT and OT infrastructure. To learn more about how SparkCognition's AI solutions can unlock the power in your data, visit www.sparkcognition.com.

Editor Sydny Shepard continues to count down the top five most frequently cited standards and what you can be doing to avoid being penalized for not complying with these standards. A special thank you to the National Fire Protection Association. NFPA LiNK® is the information delivery platform set to revolutionize how you work. Put safety expertise at your fingertips with digital access to NFPA® codes and standards, plus exclusive enhanced content. Utilize dynamic search functionality, bookmarking, and the ability to share and collaborate with others to save time and get the job done right. With NFPA LiNK, you can go by the book without the book to get the job done right faster and more efficiently. Learn more at nfpa.org/link