OH&S SafetyPod
Business & Finance
About
Listen along as Occupational Health & Safety Executive Editor David Kopf takes a deep dive into occupational safety and health topics with industry experts.
Episodes
- Episode 229: Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety in the Workplace
In this episode of the OH&S SafetyPod, CSA Group Fire Test Specialist Josh Dinaburg joins the podcast to discuss the growing presence of lithium-ion battery systems in workplaces and the unique fire safety challenges they create. Dinaburg…
- Episode 228: Building Safety Programs for SMBs That Actually Work
In this episode of the OH&S SafetyPod, safety expert Greg Zigulis discusses the unique challenges small and medium-sized businesses face when building effective health and safety programs. Drawing on insights from his new book, " Health an…
- Episode 227: Ladder Safety Month — Turning Awareness into Safer Habits
March marks National Ladder Safety Month, and in this episode of the OH&S Safety Pod, we explore how safety leaders can reduce preventable ladder-related injuries through better habits, training, and daily reinforcement. Pat McAuliffe of t…
- Episode 226: Navigating the New Frontier of Maritime Safety Education
In this episode, Dr. Travis Smith and Bobby Oberlechner of Columbia Southern University discuss the university's new maritime safety concentration—a program designed to equip safety professionals for one of the world's most complex and hig…
- Episode 225: Opioids on the Job—Planning to Protect
Content Editor Stasia DeMarco speaks with Claire Bryant, Senior Program Manager of Workplace Safety Programs at the National Safety Council, about a new tool designed to help manage the opioid epidemic in the workplace. With overdoses now…
- Episode 224: A+A 2025 Gears Up to Host Global Safety Community
Lars Wismer, Director of A+A at Messe Düsseldorf, joins Executive Editor David Kopf to discuss the upcoming A+A 2025 International Trade Fair and Congress for Safety and Health at Work, happening November 4–7 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Wismer…
- Episode 223: Building Trust -- Protecting Employees' Mental Health
Increasing attention is being placed on workers' mental health, as well as their physical health, but how do safety managers approach this challenge? Sean Egan, the Deputy Director of Labor for the State of Michigan, joins the OH&S Safety…
- Episode 222: AIHA Launches Heat Stress AP 2.0
Larry Sloan, CEO of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), joins the OH&S Safety Pod to discuss the evolving risks of heat stress and how AIHA's newly updated Heat Stress App is helping organizations protect workers in both in…
- Episode 221: The ISF and Moving Beyond Compliance
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…
- Episode 220: The Importance of Safety Assessments
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 t…
- Episode 219: The Strategic Edge of Safety Staffing
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…
- Episode 218: The Future of OSHA
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 injure…
- Episode 217: The Importance of Women's PPE
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 org…
- Episode 216: Understanding OSHA's Arc Flash Guidance
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 trai…
- Episode 215: New Developments in Confined Space Entry Monitoring and Safety
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 helpi…
- Episode 214: 20 Years of Breakthrough Strategies
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…
- Episode 213: How Certifications Transform Industries with NFPA's Top Expert
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…
- Episode 212: Perspectives from 40 Years of the VPPPA
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…
- Episode 211: Inside the 2024 NSC Safety Congress & Expo
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…
- Episode 210: Enhancing Workplace Safety: How Digital Transformation Is Shaping Manufacturing's Future
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 manufactu…
- Episode 209: ASSP Safety 2024 Highlights
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 it…
- Episode 208: Insights from ASSP's Corporate Listening Tour
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 to…
- Episode 207: Assessing Respiratory Hazards and Risks During Disasters
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…
- Episode 206: Revolutionizing Safety: How AI Is Transforming the Workplace
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 sh…
- Episode 205: Going Beyond Compliance — Why Just Meeting the Requirements Might Not Be Enough
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…
- Episode 204: A Decade of Safety Achievement: Ten Years Without Incidents
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 safet…
- Episode 203: Confronting Workplace Violence, Harassment and Mental Health
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 Tral…
- Episode 202: Different Technologies for Drug Testing
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 re…
- Episode 201 - The Role and Value of Women in Worker Safety
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 Fras…
- Episode 200 - The Year Ahead for Workplace Safety
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 ef…
- The Role of Ergonomics in Your Employees' Health
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 Ergono…
- SDS Sections You've Been Ignoring
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…
- Prioritizing and Addressing Winter Hazards
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 Speciali…
- NSC Safety Congress & Expo 2023 Wrap Up
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 t…
- Powering Progress: The Power of Connected Safety
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…
- A New Educational Opportunity for Safety Professionals
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…
- Public Works Employees as First Responders
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 w…
- Ensuring Safe Rooftops for Workers
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…
- A Changing of the Guard at OH&S Magazine
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 journalis…
- Exploring Oral Fluid Drug Testing in the Workplace
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 workpl…
- The Top Five OSHA Violations for Construction
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 a…
- The Importance of Communication: Takeaways from ASSP Safety 2023
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.
- Trends in Lone Worker Safety
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 fin…
- A Look at the Business of Safety: Protecting People While Driving Profitability
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 busin…
- Preventing Arc Flash and Shock Hazards
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 h…
- Prioritizing Mental Health in Workplace Safety
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,…
- OH&S Changes: An Update from Our Editorial Team
In this episode, Sydny Shepard says farewell and ushers in a new era of editorial leadership for Occupational Health & Safety.
- Top Ways to Create a Healthier Workplace in 2023
Happy New Year! Listen in as Editor Sydny Shepard discusses ways to prioritize health at work in 2023.
- Safety Goals: Resolutions Aren't Just for the New Year
2023 is upon us. Editor Sydny Shepard talks all about making New Year's Resolutions for safety and how to stick with them.
- Profits over Protection: Companies Frequently Cited by OSHA in 2022
In this episode, Editor Sydny Shepard discusses some of the most cited companies in 2022.