WORKPLACE INJURY PREVENTION - A FIT FOR WORK PODCAST

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On this podcast we will have candid discussions on the many facets of Workplace Injury Prevention such as Onsite Intervention, Safety, Ergonomics, Pre-Employment Testing and Total Population Health. Fit For Work™ is an Injury Prevention firm that partners with companies to deliver a 50% reduction in…

Curtis Kopotic and Ambjor Brown


    • Jan 16, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 24m AVG DURATION
    • 93 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from WORKPLACE INJURY PREVENTION - A FIT FOR WORK PODCAST with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from WORKPLACE INJURY PREVENTION - A FIT FOR WORK PODCAST

    Connecting Talent Placement and Injury Prevention to Create a Better Workplace

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 29:58


    In the latest episode of the Workplace Injury Prevention Podcast, we are joined by Josh Morris, CEO of DQS, to discuss the connection between talent placement and workplace safety and how the two can work together to ensure a healthier, more productive, and more fulfilling environment for employees.

    Using Wearable Technology to Supplement Your Safety Program

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2023 28:54


    In the latest episode of the Workplace Injury Prevention Podcast, we are joined by Jacob Wilkins, Fit For Work Ergonomics Specialist, to discuss wearable technology in the workplace, the role it can serve within your safety program, and how it should be paired with onsite, human-to-human interaction in order to maximize its impact.

    Back to School with Another Ergonomics Subscription Success Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2023 17:57


    School is back, and at Grandview C4 School District in Kansas City, MO, it's back and better than ever thanks to an investment in an Ergonomics Subscription project with Fit For Work. Janet Melton, the district's Senior Wellbeing Coordinator, joins the podcast to discuss the project from the first step to the ongoing implementation and everything in between.

    Go Next-Level by Leveraging the Transformational Fit For Work & VelocityEHS Partnership

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2023 26:21


    Together, Fit For Work and VelocityEHS offer an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to quickly scale implementation, training, onsite assessments, and adoption of ergonomics and health solutions into their business. Rick Barker, leader of Principal Solutions Strategy at VelocityEHS, joins the podcast to discuss how this partnership is generating a transformational approach to ergonomics and injury prevention.

    Understanding, Empowering, and Investing in the Aging Workforce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 22:16


    An aging workforce is the reality for many industries and businesses in today's world. Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, PhD, MPH, CHES, and Associate Professor at the Texas A&M School of Public Health, joins the podcast to share his research and insight into understanding and empowering this demographic, as well as to discuss the benefits older workers can bring to their company and their fellow team members.

    Fit For Duty Testing is Fit for Your Business

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 29:06


    The proper testing protocol is key to preventing injuries and to mitigating costs associated with injuries when they do happen. Chase Feeler, PT DPT, who is the Director of Functional Testing at WorkSTEPS, joined the podcast to discuss Fit For Duty testing and how it can enhance the hiring process, mitigate injuries and their associated costs and, most importantly, put team members in position to be safe and productive.

    director testing duty functional testing
    Test Properly, Hire Right and Watch the Results!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2023 30:18


    Dr. Jerroed Roberson, PT, DPT and Fit For Work Employment Testing Provider, joins the Injury Prevention Podcast to talk about the process and benefits of employment testing and how it will lead to a healthier, more productive workforce. Meaningful work that impacts lives is Fit For Work's motto and Dr. Roberson explains how he and his colleagues bring that to life every day for clients and their employees.

    Let's Talk Testing!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2023 28:00


    Wendy Chelette, Fit For Work Director of Employment Testing, joins the podcast to define and discuss the various forms and stages of employment testing as well as to offer insight into the changing landscape of the workplace and of the work itself.

    Food Distribution, Fit For Work and Safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2023 38:09


    Being a Safety and Facilities Manager puts one right at the heart of the relationship between efficient production and wall-to-wall safety, and Tyler, a Fit For Work partner, joins the podcast to discuss that and much more.

    Ensuring Compliance and Safety with OSHA's New Enforcements Guidance

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2023 33:53


    OSHA has issued new enforcement guidance with a focus on instance by instance citations and high gravity violations. Fit For Work Director of Safety Division Forrest Richardson, CSP, ARME, joins host Mike Wobschall to break it all down and provide insight and tips to ensure businesses remain in compliance and continue to promote safety. 

    The Growing Role of The Chief Medical Officer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2023 26:37


    Dr. Ben Hoffman, MD, MPH and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for WorkSTEPS, joins host Mike Wobschall to discuss the growing role of the Chief Medical Officer in companies throughout America and how this is helping to make safety and health a priority in the workplace.

    Ergonomics, Cobots and More

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 18:15


    What's a cobot? The latest edition of the Workplace Injury Prevention Podcast discusses that and much more from the world of Ergonomics as FFW Director of Ergonomics Lauren Brizendine, MPH, CPE joins host Mike Wobschall.

    Total Worker Health Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2022 13:00


    Dr. Ros Daywalker joins the new host, Mike Wobschall, to discuss the exciting and evolving topic of "Total Worker Health". This is more than just a phrase. It's a new field of research in which Dr. Daywalker is a leading expert. This is the first of many topics on the subject, and specifically is part 1 of 2-part interview covering the matter.

    Total Worker Health Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 14:30


    Dr. Ros Daywalker joins the new host, Mike Wobschall, to discuss the exciting and evolving topic of "Total Worker Health". This is more than just a phrase. It's a new field of research in which Dr. Daywalker is a leading expert. This is the first of many topics on the subject, and specifically is part 1 of 2-part interview covering the matter.

    Special Announcement: Introducing The New Host

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2022 7:30


    Ambjor and Curtis will be moving on from podcast host duties so they do an introduction and let you get to know the new host, Fit For Work Director of Marketing, Mike Wobschall. He shares his experience along with some themes you can expect to be covered as this podcast continues. Mike will become the full-time host by the end of 2022.

    Update - Identification and Mitigation of Workplace Injuries through Applied Ergonomics

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2022 23:38


    Eric Gislason, Executive Director of National Association of Safety Professionals and Dr. James Rethaber, Vice President of Technical Operations at Fit for Work, share their expertise regarding the role ergonomics plays in workplace injuries and how to identify those risk factors to keep your employees safe and healthy. They also highlight a 2 days conference that is occurring October 5th - 6th, 2022 in Orlando Florida that will be covering this exact topic. 

    A young safety professionals take on the safety profession

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2022 23:20


    Ambjor and Curtis talk with Alex Buban, who is an Environmental Risk and Safety Manager, to discuss his experience as a young profesional entering the safety profession. Alex gives advice to those looking into the field, along with the fulfillment that being a safety professional provides. He also covers advice that anyone with any level of experience can apply to make safety a positive experience at your site.

    Machine Guarding Gone Wrong – And How to Make it Right

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2022 27:00


    Curtis and Ambjor discuss with Forrest Richardson, CSP, ARME, a case study on what neglecting machine guarding cost both a company and their employees. Forrest gives great advice on how to avoid pitfalls as well as how to simply and systematically make changes to keep employees safe and make sure your worksite is compliant with national regulations.

    What's the best way to use job rotation for health and production?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 13:41


    Ambjor and Curtis interview Dr. James Rethaber, Ph.D., CPE, LSSMBB, to have him answer frequent questions about job rotations, such as: Is it worth the hassle, what are common mistakes to avoid, and how quickly can I see benefits? James shares what he has learned in 15+ years experience and research to help you save time and money when implementing job rotations at your worksite.  

    Identification and Mitigation of Workplace Injuries through Applied Ergonomics

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2022 23:48


    Eric Gislason, Executive Director of National Association of Safety Professionals and Dr. James Rethaber, Vice President of Technical Operations at Fit for Work, share their expertise regarding the role ergonomics plays in workplace injuries and how to identify those risk factors to keep your employees safe and healthy.

    Accessible Ergonomics Will Benefit Your Workforce

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2022 18:20


    Ruth Neuman, PT, MBA/HA, CEAS II, REAS, PMEC, Senior Ergonomist in Workforce Safety at Northwell Health has dedicated her career to improving ergonomics as well making those improvements accessible to all the workforce in simple and effective ways. She gives us tips and tricks by sharing her knowledge on how to increase the success of ergonomic initiatives at your worksite. 

    Quick hug and a swift kick in the rear: Motivation for a culture of workplace safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2022 10:40


    Forrest Richardson, CSP, ARME, is with Ambjor and Curtis to answer the frequently asked question of how to stay motived as a safety professional who is in charge of motivating others to be safe. We discuss clear and simple solutions you can use as a motivator to keep the safety culture high at your Business.

    FAQ: How to keep EEs safe when returning to work from layoff, extended leave, etc.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2022 10:25


    Stephanie Stiles, ATC, has over 8 years experience onsite with seasonal workers in the road construction industry. She answers some frequently asked questions for us today on best practices for returning employees to work after seasonal layoffs, which can be applied to extended leaves and even to new hires that have not worked in a physical job setting.

    How to get the most out of a DOT Physical and Pre-Employment Testing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 18:00


    Considered to be the pioneer of post-offer pre-employment testing, Larry Feeler, PT, CEAS, NRCME, discusses the value of the DOT physical while also doing post-offer pre-employment functional testing. As the CEO and founder of WorkSTEPS, Larry shares experiences and analogies gathered in his over 35 years in the business, painting a picture that when done together these tests can help reduce injuries and work comp claims while increasing productivity.

    FAQ: Common Questions Answered About Post Offer Testing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 10:30


    Considered the father of Post Offer Testing, Larry Feeler, PT, CEAS, NRCME, joins the podcast to give clear and simple answers to common questions about post-offer testing in the workplace. He shares his 30+ years of experience to give you the insight to understand how post offer testing can be a long-term value at your workplace.

    The Bottom Line of Early Intervention is Prevention

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 20:10


    Ambjor and Curtis have a great discussion with two experienced Injury Prevention Specialist, Andy Accacian and Rachel Beck. Both have combined for over 10 years of focusing on early intervention and they share how using simple action items focused on prevention will make your workforce healthier and more productive.

    FAQ: 2022 – What's the Current State of Wearable Tech in the Industrial Workplace?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 12:55


     Ambjor and Curtis talk with James Rethaber, Ph.D., CPE, LSSMBB, Vice President of Technical Operations at Fit For Work, about the current state of wearable technology in the industrial setting workplaces. We find out some what the most up to date research is saying about long-term effects of wearables and what using both exoskeletal and data capturing technology can, and cannot, do for your employee.

    Top 3 New OSHA Regulations to You Need to Pay Attention to in 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2022 10:30


    Start your new year off right and stay on track this year! Forrest Richardson, CSP, ARME, and Safety Division Director of Fit for Work, outlines the top 3 OSHA regulations to pay attention to in 2022.

    2021 Top 10 OSHA Citations and How to Help Your Worksite Avoid Them

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 15:16


    2021 was a crazy year but your workforce keeps pushing forward. Forrest Richardson, Certified Safety Professional and Director of Safety at Fit For Work, summarizes the top 10 OSHA citations of 2021 so you can learn from others and avoid the same mistake.

    director safety osha citations worksite certified safety professional fit for work
    Clearing Up 3 Important Misconceptions About OSHA Enforcement

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 11:30


    OSHA enforcement can be a nerve racking topic. Certified Safety Professional and Director of Safety at FFW, Forrest Richardson, joins us to dispel 3 common misconceptions regarding OSHA enforcement, how this affects your workplace safety and employees.

    Is the flu still a thing? Viruses, Vaccines and where it all stands.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 15:00


    Dr. Ben Hoffman, the Chief Medical Officer for WorkSTEPS discusses the "seasonal flu" in light of the SARS-COVID world we have all been navigating. We talk about how understanding the real purpose of vaccines can help correct misunderstandings and what are real vs. over simplification solutions for you and your workforce.

    How Understanding That Pain is a Complicated and Not Complex Problem Will Help You Improve Safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2021 29:48


    Dr. John Groves, DPT and CEO of Fit For Work, discusses an often misunderstood approach to injuries in the workplace. We talk about how every injury is complex, not complicated, and what simple changes you can make in your approach to improve safety at your workplace.

    FAQ: How Do You Set Up A Simple and Effective Training Camp For New Hires?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2021 8:38


    Michael Escobar, Mid-South Regional Director for Fit For Work has been responsible for setting up several simple and effective "training camps" at multiple locations over the past 15 years. He shares great tips on how to succeed in this one aspect of improving safety, along with how to avoid common mistakes that can derail your efforts. 

    FAQ: What are 3 Easy Tips To Improve The Safety Culture At Your Business

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 9:50


    Jessica Herrera, one of the Area Directors of Fit For Work with over 10 years experience in the industrial setting, gives her answers to the question: What are some easy ways to improve the safety culture at my workplace? Her three ideas are simple, actionable, and make a difference. 

    What Safety Programs and Methods Will Improve Hiring and Retention

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2021 31:47


    A panel of Fit For Work safety experts, Jessica Herrera, Michael Escobar, Forrest Richardson, and James Rethaber, have a great discussion with Ambjor and I about the challenges that employers face in hiring and retaining employees, and how different safety methods can improve hiring and employee retention.

    FAQ: OSHA Safe and Sound Week Kick Off

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2021 6:00


    Ambjor and I talk about what the OSHA safe and sound week is, and how using the resources available at osha.gov/safeandsoundweek will help you better serve your employees and community at large. Start off safe and sound week by listening and sharing this episode to get the message out.

    FAQ: Gas Detection In Confined Spaces – How To Avoid Mistakes To Keep Employees Safe

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2021 10:15


    Dave Thomas, the owner and founder of REPSS (A gas detection company that started in 1981) shares his decades of experience in confined space gas detection. Ambjor and I discuss with him some easy tips about avoiding mistakes that can be applied to any work setting. 

    What the National Association of Safety Professional Can Offer You As a Safety Professional

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2021 24:08


    Eric Gislason, Executive Director of the newly accredited National Association of Safety Professionals, talk with us to get an overview on what this organization has to offer safety professionals. He also shares great ideas on making training employees effective at your worksite.

    How a Health Care Company Made Yearly Ergonomic Training Engaging While Reducing Sprains and Strains

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2021 27:06


    Asha Roy, Program Manager for Safe Patient Handling and Mobility, and Paul Power, Director of Operations for the Workforce Safety Department, work for Northwell Health System, which is the largest health care system in New York State. They discuss how they have implemented an innovative and fun way to do refresher training for patient handling which drastically reduced musculoskeletal injuries. They also share how the principles learned can be implemented into any manual handling setting to reduce sprains and strains.

    FAQ: Best 3 Bang For Your Buck Improvements To Prevent OSHA Fines

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2021 9:21


    Forrest Richardson, CSP and Safety Division Director at Fit For Work, talks with Ambjor and I to discuss the three best areas to spend your money to be make changes to be OSHA compliant and avoid fines. Quick and simple ideas that will help make a difference quickly. 

    What the National Safety Counsel is Doing That Can Help Your Company Improve Safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 27:02


    June is National Safety Month, and John Dony, Senior Director of Though Leadership and Director of the Campbell Institute at the National Safety Council talks with us about what the Campbell Institute is and the resources they have available to make a positive improvement in safety at your workplace.

    FAQ: OSHA Top 10 Citations of 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2021 9:22


    Forrest Richardson, CSP and Safety Division Director at Fit For Work, talks with Ambjor and I in a quick review of the OSHA Top 10 citations and gives some golden nuggets of information about how the pandemic effected OSHA and workplaces. 

    osha csp citations fit for work
    Working From Home - Ergo Tips to Increase Productivity While Reducing Body Stressors

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2021 28:09


    Mark Benden, Department Chair and Director of the Ergonomics Center at Texas A&M University, Provides amazing insights on how working at home can be ergonomically friendly and tips on making it easy for you. He also discusses research on how to a workstation set up drives productivity and profits. 

    FAQ: What is Better, Sitting Or Standing At a Desk?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2021 8:43


    Lauren Bizendine, Director of ergonomics at FFW, spends a few minutes with Ambjor and I to talk about a common questions, what is better for you to do at a desk, sit or stand?

    Understanding Pain Science From Real Examples and How It Will Improve Interactions With Injured Employees

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 26:36


    Jarett Peikert, Lead Pain Science Researcher at Fit For Work talks about a few specific examples when employees understood pain science and when there was a communication brake down. He gives great tips on how to make your word choices positive to give the best chance for positive outcomes.

    Ergonomics Trivia Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2021 25:21


    James Rethaber, Ph.D., CPE and Director of Ergonomics at Fit For Work, puts Ambjor's and Curtis' ergonomic knowledge to the test with true or false questions. Have fun playing along and see how your ergonomic knowledge is, and where it can improve.

    How Technology Is Improving Safety, And How Your Site Can Benefit From It

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 27:44


    Mwangi Ndongale and Kyle Krueger, hosts of the Probability Matters podcast, join us to discuss how technology is being used to make workplaces safer, along with tips on how to implement technology while keeping the correct perspective to make it effective. We also discuss how their podcast drives meaningful conversations on tech in the workplace. 

    Looking At and Preparing For Changes and Updates to OSHA Regulations Made Easy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 33:22


    Forrest Richardson, Safety Director for Fit For Work talks with Ambjor and I about what changes are coming from OSHA so you can get ahead of them. He makes learning about these rules simple and easy to understand the core purpose for them, as well as where anyone can learn more about them. 

    Understanding How OSHA's 2021 Budget Request Forecasts Their Priorities

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2021 29:10


    Forrest Richardson joins Ambjor and Curtis to guide us all through OSHA budget. Forrest helps show how looking at their budget helps companies see what OSHA is prioritizing for the coming year. He throws in some great information on staying compliant through the Covid-19 pandemic as well. 

    Questions answered and updates on COVID mitigation for the workplace

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2021 33:39


    Dr. Ben Hoffman of WorkSteps brings us up to speed on where we are with the Covid 19 vaccine and what employers and employees can do to keep our workplace safe.

    2020 Episodes Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2020 9:00


    In this shorter and final episode Ambjor and Curtis highlight episodes from 2020 and give some topics that we will be diving into for 2021. It has been a great year and we look forward to another great year in 2020.

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