The Accidental Safety Pro

Back by popular demand, Jill and her longtime friend and former fellow OSHA investigator, Dr. Todd Loushine, recently hosted another live webinar to answer your burning EHS questions! Registrants submitted questions before and during the live event, and the duo were able to give answers related to: Safety culture and behavior change, accountability and difficult scenarios, career growth and professional development, OSHA updates and the future of safety, and more. We believe many of our listeners have the same kinds of questions. So, we're sharing portions of the webinar recording with you for this month's episode. If you like this episode, join Jill and Dr. Todd LIVE for Safety Unscripted: Part 3 on Wednesday, June 3rd. You can register by clicking the link in the show notes. Enjoy! REGISTER FOR SAFETY UNSCRIPTED PT. 3

A story of resilience, reinvention, and an unexpected path into safety. In this episode, Jill James sits down with Chanell Alaniz, president of the Oklahoma City ASSP Chapter and former head of EHS for Oklahoma’s largest biopharmaceutical manufacturer. Chanell shares an extraordinary origin story that begins on the Mississippi Gulf Coast during Hurricane Katrina, winding through loss, rebuilding, tattoo artistry, scientific research, and ultimately a calling in occupational health and safety.Chanell opens up about evacuating with a newborn, rebuilding her life through Habitat for Humanity, becoming one of Oklahoma’s first licensed female tattoo artists, and later transitioning into laboratory science and CGMP pharmaceutical work. Her journey takes a dramatic turn when she steps into her first safety role just three days before COVID‑19 is declared a global pandemic—placing her at the center of biomanufacturing efforts to support vaccine production.Through vulnerability, humor, and deep reflection, Chanell illustrates how a “helper’s heart,” a systems-thinking mind, and the influence of strong mentors shaped her into the safety professional she is today. This episode is a testament to the winding paths that lead people into EHS—and the power of purpose discovered along the way.Chanell Alaniz's LinkedInChanell's Story on OptionBKatrina 10 Years Later: MississippiWomen in Safety Excellence (WISE)

Perry Silvey, safety manager at BT Construction in Colorado, shares his journey from working at a driving range to becoming a leader in construction safety. He is the founder and chairman of the Trenching and Excavation Safety Task Force (TEST), a volunteer group dedicated to raising awareness about trenching and excavation safety. Perry's career in construction safety began after a layoff from his maintenance job, which led him to work in excavation.Perry's transition into safety was influenced by his first boss, who encouraged him to leverage his degree and move into office roles, eventually leading to project management and safety coordination. His involvement with industry groups, such as the Construction Safety Round Table and the National Utility Contractors Association, has been pivotal in his career, providing mentorship and collaboration opportunities.The TEST initiative was sparked by a tragic trench collapse incident in 2019, which motivated Perry to take action and form the task force to prevent similar accidents. The group promotes trench safety through campaigns like "Think Inside the Box" and collaborates with various partners to spread awareness and improve safety practices.Perry emphasizes the importance of industry groups and safety roundtables for professionals seeking to enhance safety practices in their organizations. He continues to advocate for safety in the construction industry, sharing his experiences and insights at conferences and through the task force's initiatives.Show Links:Think Inside the Box info and logos. If you'd like to use the Think Inside The Box logo to help spread the word, please download! Feel free to make hard hat stickers, use in email signatures or on your own pages.FacebookInstagramLinkedInX

A surprising pivot from nutrition and diet therapy to health and safety launched Danishon "Sean" Felder into a decades-long career investigating incidents, mastering compliance, and navigating complex military and OSHA standards with the US Air Force Reserves and Department of Defense. Sean and Jill discuss why compliance alone isn't enough, the power of mentorship and continuous learning, how risk management evolved into enterprise thinking, and why psychological safety may be the most critical leadership skill today. With his upcoming retirement, Sean is preparing for his "second mountain" in executive coaching and reflects on what truly makes safety cultures thrive. Listen to get a Certified Professional Coach's insights on leadership, culture, and influence techniques!

Do you have burning safety questions but aren’t sure who to ask—or worry about how they’ll be received? Jill and her longtime friend and former fellow OSHA investigator, Dr. Todd Loushine, recently hosted a live webinar doing just that! Registrants submitted hundreds of questions before and during the live event, and the duo were able to give answers related to:> Program building, governance, and core safety systems> Operational hazards and technical safety scenarios> Training effectiveness and learning design> Leadership buy-in, management tension, and business alignmentWe believe many of our listeners have the same kinds of questions. So, we're sharing portions of the webinar recording with you for this special episode of the podcast. If you like this episode, join Jill and Dr. Todd LIVE for Safety Unscripted: Part 2 on Wednesday, February 25th. You can register by clicking the link below. Enjoy!Safety Unscripted Part 2: Your Questions, Expert Answers, Live Webinar RegistrationSafety Unscripted Webinar Recording and Resources PageHSI.com Resources

Do you have questions about AI and the role it’s playing in EHS? Is it a trustworthy source, and how would you know if it is? What are the benefits and implications? Jill sits down with three of HSI’s top executives who are leading the charge in AI technology development for EHS software. Join Jose Arcilla, Chief Executive Officer, John Hambelton, Chief Technology Officer, and Mike Case, Vice President of Product, as they break down what’s working with AI, precautions you need to know, and how they’re creating tools that grow with the people who rely on them. You’ll hear how they’re designing tech that learns from real work, minimizes risk, and supports better choices, all while keeping humans firmly in control. From guardrails around ethics and human oversight, and questions to ask before selecting AI-powered solutions, this episode pulls back the curtain on AI development, what’s coming next, and why it matters for EHS professionals.

What happens when the teacher becomes the student? Meet Stacy Dubin, an EHS leader whose journey began in the classroom as a middle and high school teacher, and evolved into an impressive career in industrial hygiene and safety. Stacy shares how creating hands-on lessons in toxicology and epidemiology sparked her move into EHS, the challenges of transitioning from teaching to industry, and how she leveraged project management skills to find her footing. She and Jill discuss why EHS professionals are “the ultimate influencers,” succeeding through relationships rather than authority, and how curiosity, reciprocity, and listening to employees help earn trust and drive real safety improvements. From integrating EHS into everyday operational conversations, to observing work and collaborating with supervisors to identify hazards, Stacy offers practical insights on influence and impact—along with her vision for building consistent, engaging global EHS frameworks rooted in authenticity and connection.The Culture MapPurchase The Culture Map on Amazon

SIFs, HECA, and ROI, oh my! In this episode, we welcome Dr. Elif Erkal, the Associate Director of Research and Strategy at the Construction Safety Research Alliance (CSRA) at the University of Colorado Boulder. With an extensive background in civil engineering, consulting, construction management, and academic research, Dr. Erkal specializes in safety, performance measurement, predictive analytics, and project risk management. She shares insights into CSRA's unique collaborative efforts between academia and industry to advance serious injury and fatality (SIF) prevention, and explains the development of High Energy Control Assessments (HECA). She details how HECA approaches safety performance measurement, which identifies high energy hazards and assesses direct controls, offering a more actionable safety performance assessment than traditional metrics. Dr. Erkal also touches on CSRA's other research initiatives, including decluttering safety management systems and demonstrating the ROI of safety programs, emphasizing the need for data-driven solutions in safety management.Power to Prevent SIFCommunities of PracticeKnowledge Center | Construction Safety Research AllianceCSRA Safety in the Boardroom EFILE_EE.pdfMatt Hallowell wrote a book on workplace safety. Industry made it a bestseller. | Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering | University of Colorado BoulderEnergy wheelHECASafety classification and Learning Model

At this year’s NSC Safety Congress, Jill partnered with three other women in EHS to present “Female EHS Leaders: Leveraging Your Superpowers.” The conference room was full of women and allies, and the topic was so well received, the presenters decided to continue the conversation! In this episode, Jill and Monique Parker, Chief Sustainability Officer and ASSP Board Member, further expand on communication strategies, setting boundaries, salary negotiation, and understanding your value, while also sharing personal experiences and examples from their own journey’s to leadership positions. Take charge of your career growth and salary expectations with the provided worksheets linked in the show notes, and discover how to advocate for yourself and your future in EHS.Resources for Female EHS Professionals, including the Salary and Career Map worksheets.

With over 20 years of experience at industry giants like Caterpillar, Dow Chemical, and Merck, Dana Dawsey's career has been anything but comfortable—by design! Dana is currently the Vice President of Environmental Health and Safety at Pentair, but like most guests, she didn't see safety as her future when becoming an industrial engineering student. Since then, she has implemented life-saving ergonomic improvements and spearheaded global EHS strategies. Dana's story is one of resilience, continuous learning, and a people-centric leadership style, enriched by her certification as a John Maxwell leadership coach. Whether you're an EHS professional or someone interested in leadership and organizational culture, Dana’s insights on embedding safety and well-being as core values will leave you motivated and inspired.

For the third year in a row, Jill sat down with EHS professionals who were attending this year's ASSP’s Safety Conference and Expo in Orlando, FL. Jill had the pleasure of asking short form questions to EHS professionals who shared their thoughts on the future of EHS, attending conferences and making connections, how they found the profession, their favorite parts of the job, and more! Thank you to all who participated in this year's episode. We'll see you again soon at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo, September 15 - 17 in Denver, Colorado. Be sure to stop by the HSI booth, #3549, and say hi to Jill and others from HSI.

Initially aspiring to be a hip-hop music producer, PJ Gillam instead found his career in EHS through early experiences working in chemical and laboratory safety roles. With the encouragement of mentors, PJ continued down the path of EHS and transitioned to a leadership position in manufacturing, adapting as a one-person safety team and creating the "Safety After Dark" program for night shift workers. He advocates for using AI and data analytics to enhance safety and encourages EHS professionals to “find their hook,” have conviction, and adopt new technologies. PJ stresses the importance of relationships, empathy, and prioritizing the well-being of others while sharing insights on overcoming challenges and making a meaningful impact in the safety field.

Ryan Word's journey began as a firefighter in Georgia, where a fire truck accident prompted his shift to working for his family’s construction company. He eventually moved to a major construction corporation in Orlando, climbed the ladder to superintendent, and started taking notice of safety more while working on theme park jobsites. He played a crucial role in developing a safety plan for a BROWZ certification, and decided that would be his next career move. Ryan is now a Safety Manager at FTI and is active in the local ASSP chapter, currently serving as chapter president. He is passionate about discovering individuals' motivations for safety and advocates for human and organizational performance principles. Ryan also contributes to the ASSP Professional Safety Journal, sharing insights on various safety topics.

In today's ever-changing landscape, health and safety professionals need to practice resilience more than ever. For this special 7th anniversary episode, previous guest, Chip Hughes, discusses significant challenges in the industry, focusing on the evolving recognition of mental health's impact on workplaces, and the changes to critical government agencies like NIOSH. Jill and Chip share resilience practices, discuss the importance of resilience for safety professionals, and hit on the need to improve communication of complex health and safety information effectively.

Tune in to hear how the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is shaping the future of occupational health and safety. CEO, Larry Sloan, shares with us AIHA's innovative initiatives, such as their heat stress monitoring app, collaboration with NIOSH on the Total Worker Health program, and AIHA's commitment to research, resource development, and training to elevate industrial hygiene practices. Larry and Jill discuss how AIHA is dedicated to advancing the health and safety of workers everywhere, making a difference through its membership of over 7,000 professionals. Find out how you can get involved in this mission to eliminate workplace injury and illness.AIHALarry Sloan's LinkedInAIHA Heat Stress AppAIHA Total Worker Health Advisory Group

Does your EHS program have a negative reputation within your organization? Are you tired of always just being associated with regulations, instead of being seen as an integral business driver? Welcome back Subena Colligan, a seasoned industrial hygienist and safety professional, who leads EHS professionals towards becoming strategic business partners. Her approach focuses on developing elite EHS programs by aligning them with business outcomes and risk tolerance. She advises on how to engage with C-suite executives by understanding company priorities and building trust. Subena employs an audit-strategize-resolve model to gather data, create strategic plans, and implement quick wins, facilitating transformation over an 18-month period. She also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and concentrating on controllable factors during periods of change and uncertainty.Subena Colligan's LinkedInErnst & Young EHS Maturity ModelMcKinsey & CompanyThe Changing World Order by Ray DalioWall Street Journal Article: It’s Called a Premortem—and It’s the Most Productive Thing You’ll Do All YearThe 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace

Dr. Fran Scott-Diehl, who embarked on her journey in the safety profession in the mid-1990s, initially intended to study architecture but was steered towards occupational safety and health by encouraging female professors. Her career began in claims processing, a role she found emotionally taxing, prompting her to transition to the utility industry and private sector positions, including at Sysco Foods and PODS. Dr. Fran underscores the necessity of establishing a robust safety framework, particularly when integrating new safety professionals lacking traditional backgrounds, emphasizing that effective safety leaders require strong interpersonal skills, curiosity, and a commitment to hard work. As an educator, she encourages upcoming safety professionals to be independent thinkers who challenge authority and innovate, while also highlighting the importance of self-reflection and self-care to prevent burnout. She advises safety professionals to prioritize nurturing themselves to enhance their leadership in the new year.Dr. Francene Scott-Diehl, PhD, MPH,CSP, CIT, CDSFranny the Safety Nanny Books

The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any occupation, with 6,000 workers dying by suicide in 2022. Sondra Lavoie knows how difficult it is to have "THE" conversation around mental health, but emphasizes the importance of building trust, using the right language, and providing resources to support workers' wellbeing. Sondra is an assistant vice president risk control specialist with Sompo, but started her journey as a construction company receptionist. She earned her degrees and certifications later in life, including a CHST and CSP, and has since produced award-winning work in the safety and mental health spaces. Sondra is passionate about mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry, and she shares strategies for having difficult conversations with workers and company leadership to address these issues. She also discusses the value of public speaking skills and mentorship for safety professionals to improve their communication abilities.If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, reach out for help immediately by calling or texting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. This service provides 24/7 confidential support for anyone experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts.Episode links:Sondra's LinkedInSondra Lavoie - How to have "THE" Conversation - Suicide PreventionNAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. About NAMI | NAMI988- Using the 988 Lifeline is free. When you call, text, or chat the 988 Lifeline, your conversation is confidential. The 988 Lifeline provides you judgment-free care. Talking with someone can help save your life. Get Help - 988 LifelineMental Health First Aid - Identify. Understand. Respond. Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based, early-intervention course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use challenges. Mental Health First Aid

Many find OSHA inspectors to be intimidating, but this week's guest credits them for inspiring his true passion. Jill chats with Randy Milliron, safety manager for the city of Gillette, Wyoming, about starting his career in quality control before moving into a safety role. He talks about receiving mentorship from OSHA inspectors early on (to which he credits his success and longevity) and discusses the new types of challenges he faced when he joined the government sector, including salary negotiations and the daunting task of managing a tight budget. Plus, tune in to get a sneak peek into the book Randy is writing about his insights after 27 years in the safety industry. Enjoy this early dropped episode while traveling during the holiday week. Wishing all of our listeners a safe and happy holiday!

**EARLY DROP ALERT!** Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to our listeners who celebrate the holiday.Are your employees in a physically demanding occupation? This episode is for you! Jill is joined by Jason Bacigalupo, a human performance coach at Vimocity. Jason discusses his role in helping utility workers, manufacturing employees, and others reduce musculoskeletal injuries. He describes how diaphragmatic breathing, dynamic joint mobility, and other strategies help workers feel better and perform their jobs more safely. In fact, Jason shares success stories of reducing injury rates by over 40% and helping workers regain mobility and reduce daily pain! Tune in now to learn how doing the little things every day add up to big health and safety gains in the long run.Jason's LinkedInVimocity

Meet Dr. Jan Handwerk, Associate Professor of Occupational Safety at the University of Central Oklahoma. Dr. Handwerk discusses the challenges she faced throughout her diverse career in male-dominated industries, from teaching physical education to working as a utility substation mechanic, including issues with properly fitting PPE. She emphasizes the importance of effective communication skills for safety professionals and shares insights on the evolving safety landscape, noting the shift from reactive to more preventive approaches. Dr. Handwerk also discusses the "Safety Olympics" she helped establish, which allows safety students from various universities to compete and network. Listen now to hear about the experiences and perspectives of a seasoned safety professional dedicated to educating the next generation of EHS leaders.University of Central Oklahoma Bachelor of Science in Occupational SafetyNSC Student MembershipImprove your communication skills with the HSI Communications Cafe

This week, Jill sits down with a truly accidental safety professional. Catherine West now serves as senior director of global health and safety for a business consulting company, but she never intended to get into this industry. After deciding to leave her sales role, she quickly discovered an unexpected love for safety, where she gets to work closely with employees to better their experience and the workplace. Tune in to hear her discuss the four key pillars of employee wellbeing, learn about some of the programs she has implemented to support those needs, and find out why she thinks a “culture of caring” is crucial to workplace safety. Also discover some advice she has for safety professionals on tying personal factors into employee health and safety!

It's back! Jill sat down with EHS professionals who were attending this year's ASSP’s Safety Conference and Expo in Denver, Colorado. She talked with people from many different industries and asked what their favorite part of being a safety professional, advice for other professionals, favorite success stories, and what the future of EHS looks like to them. thank you to those EHS pros who stopped by the HSI booth and contributed to this podcast. See you again next year!

Jill had the pleasure of speaking with ASSP's 2024 Outstanding Safety Educator, Dr. Leslie Stockel! Leslie is an associate professor of professional practice at Oklahoma State University, and teaches in the Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology program. She shares how her father helped her find her passion through firefighting, which lead to her experiences as a safety professional in various industries. Leslie also talks about her journey to becoming an educator and the importance of teaching safety management and prevention activities. She highlights her recent research on significant incident and fatality (SIF) precursors in incident investigation reports, revealing the lack of consistent identification and addressing of these precursors. Leslie emphasizes the need for better investigations and communication of findings in the field of safety, and also mentions her upcoming research on virtual reality scenarios related to hazard events.

Monique Parker, senior vice president of EHS at Piedmont Lithium, hesitantly accepted a job early in her career that moved her across the country to Salt Lake City, Utah. Little did she know, that move would open her eyes to a career-defining passion: Diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this episode, Monique chats with Jill about her accidental journey into EHS, starting with her passion for chemical engineering and environmental science. They discuss the importance of building relationships, adapting to different cultures, and the role of DEI in the safety profession. Monique concludes by encouraging women in EHS to be authentic, confident, and find advocates and allies for growth and support.

On episode 207 of EHS On Tap, Jill James, Chief Safety Officer at HSI, talks about common misconceptions regarding safety training. This episode is sponsored by HSI.OSHA Safety Training Needs Assessment

To celebrate the Accidental Safety Pro's 6th birthday, Jill sat down with HSI CEO Chad Birckelbaw to discuss the importance of the podcast in supporting the EHS profession and how it aligns with HSI's mission of making the workplace safer and smarter. They talk about the challenges and responsibilities of EHS professionals, the importance of aligning with leaders, and the need for continuous learning and personal development. Chad gives insights on decision-making, the value of having mentors, and shares three key takeaways for EHS professionals: be proud of the profession, stay curious, and manage the three E's as a leader.

Don't let her city roots fool you. Lisa Blotsky, a casualty risk consultant with AXA XL, got her start in safety by putting on her boots (PPE-approved, of course) and working at a large-scale poultry processing facility. In this episode, listen as Jill chats with Lisa about her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian, her 24 years spent working in the poultry industry, and how she transitioned into insurance. Lisa also talks about her involvement with the American Society of Safety Professionals, her passion for advocating for agriculture, and the importance of safety in caring for human life.Which came first, the chicken or the egg?ASSP WISE (Women in Safety Excellence)NSC Safety Congress and Expo 2024

Did you know you can utilize your insurance broker for risk assessment on your jobsites? And that PPE for males and females should be designed differently? Or that workplace violence is one of the top three reasons women die in the workplace every year? In this episode, Jill runs the gamut of safety with Christina Roll, casualty risk consultant with AXA XL. Christina is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion within the safety profession, and chats with Jill about the importance of PPE created - and fitted - specifically for women. She emphasizes the need to address workplace violence and bridge the gap for women in executive leadership roles. Christina also encourages all safety professionals to be their authentic selves, work on soft skills, and mentor others to ensure the growth and success of the safety profession.

Join Elizabeth Johnson, Senior Director of EHS at Mitsubishi Power Americas, as she discusses what the next generation of EHS professionals will need, in addition to technical expertise, to be successful. We cover the importance of soft skills, such as communication and leadership, the significance of clear and concise writing, and the value of pursuing education. Overall, Elizabeth highlights the importance of supporting and mentoring the next generation of safety professionals and leaving a positive impact on the profession. Elizabeth shares her into the safety profession, starting with her time in the United States Army and her transition into the field of safety.

Meet Rob Fisher, President of Fisher Improvement Technologies. Rob spent almost 10 years in the U.S. Navy before working at the South Texas Nuclear Project for 12 years in various safety and human development roles. Listen along as Rob talks with Jill about how his diverse experiences led to being an expert in human performance and leadership. They discuss the importance of intentional leadership and understanding mental models, the benefits of values-based engagements, and the importance of continuous learning and development in the field of safety. Rob also shares his story of investigating the 1999 Texas A&M Aggie Bonfire Collapse and how lessons from that investigation still impact his work today.Fisher Improvement TechnologiesEssential Leadership Podcast episode with Jill JamesThe Aggie Bonfire TragedyThe Field Guide to Understanding 'Human Error' by Sidney DekkerUnderstanding Mental Models by Rob Fisher

In this episode Jill is joined by three guests to discuss the findings of a survey conducted on the challenges and experiences of women working in safety. The survey received almost 900 responses and revealed both positive and negative experiences. The guests discuss topics such as the impact of parenthood on careers, harassment and discrimination in the workplace, and the motivations behind obtaining professional certifications. They also emphasize the importance of allyship and advocacy in supporting and promoting the success of women in the safety profession. The full survey report and additional resources can be found in the show notes or at www.hsi.com.2023 Women in Safety Survey

A few months ago, we launched a podcast episode that featured some of our favorite people — you! We loved hearing your personal stories, ideas, and tips so we wanted to do it again. For this episode, Jill and our podcast producer, Emily, sat down with NSC Safety Congress and Expo attendees from all types of industries: oil and gas, environmental remediation, mining, engineering consulting, pet care, government agencies, and more. They chatted about success stories, advice for safety professionals, what the future of safety looks like, and their favorite parts of the job.And we’re excited to announce we’ll be doing this again at ASSP’s Safety 2024 in Denver! If you plan on attending, stop by our booth — we’d love to chat with you!

Like many of our guests, Guillermo Sabatier didn’t have safety in mind when he started his career. While studying electrical engineering in college, he got a meter reading job with a local utility company, which resulted in a post-college job in the industry. Now, after 30 years working in support of the utility industry, and becoming a North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Coordinator and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, he finds himself as HSI’s Director of International Services. Listen as he sits down with Jill to discuss his unconventional, but understandable, path into safety and hear about some of the interesting situations he has found himself in over the years in the utility industry.

In this episode, Jill gets to discuss a seriously hot topic! Dr. Todd Loushine, associate professor in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Occupational Safety program, ASSP Region Five vice president, and returning podcast guest, sat down to discuss workplace heat. In 2022, Dr. Todd lucked into a temporary position outside of the university, helping with heat-related problems when a company’s safety director took a leave of absence. Tune in to hear how a certified industrial hygienist, who also happens to be a professional engineer, came up with unique — but replicable — solutions for heat safety issues, learn a little about the science behind heat-related illness, and find out how you can give your input on a proposed OSHA regulation.

Sometimes not being an expert has its benefits. Rusti Dyals, Certified Safety Professional and national director of EHS at ESFM, chats with Jill about getting her degree in public relations, stumbling into a safety coordinator position at a sawmill, and immediately learning the site would be undergoing an OSHA inspection. Listen to this week’s episode to learn how she approaches getting leadership on board with safety-based decisions, why continuing education is so important in this field, and find out Rusti’s biggest piece of advice for anyone in the safety industry.

This month’s podcast looks a little different, as Jill was able to sit down with 20 EHS professionals who were attending ASSP’s Annual Safety Conference and Expo. She met with people from many different industries, including construction, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace, as well as an assistant professor, a Ph.D. student, and even the editor in chief of a safety publication. Tune in to discover their favorite part of being a safety professional, advice for other professionals, their EHS heroes, and what the future of EHS looks like to them. Plus, find out how you could have a chance to contribute your own EHS story during an upcoming live podcast recording!

Tune in to learn how there is always something you can bring to the table, why building your network is so important, and how simply listening to those more experienced than you can help in many ways.

Like many of our guests, Dr. Amber Mitchell didn’t start out with the goal of becoming a safety professional. But chance encounters and unique opportunities that presented themselves throughout her career seemed to be pushing her toward that end.

Felix Nater, president and owner of workplace security consulting firm Nater Associates, joins Jill to discuss why preventing workplace violence — not reacting to it — should be our focus.

Safety professionals have done a good job of mitigating physical hazards for as long as occupational safety has been an area of focus. But how do employers go about creating a work environment that is free from psychosocial hazards? Dr. David Daniels joins us in this episode to discuss what, in his view, is the most significant hazard people are exposed to in the workplace.

Even though everyone understands that safety in the workplace is important, it can still be tough for decision-makers to get on board with making necessary, and lasting, changes. It’s easy to conduct an incident investigation and put a fix in place, but what about working to prevent incidents instead of just responding to them? Join Jill as she chats with Carla Davis-Madgett, who stumbled into a 38-year-long career as an EHS professional after recognizing her strengths and personal values; capturing the hearts and minds of leadership in order to create a continuous dialogue.

Fighting the “safety cop” stereotype can be a difficult task. This is especially true if you are trying to build your new career in safety. Nadia uses her natural leadership and relationship-building skills to unite her coworkers for the common good. Nadia Ullah Morin is a QHSE Lead at a water technology manufacturing company, with a background in biology, chemistry, and crude oil quality control testing. Although she may be new to the profession, Nadia shares the skills she learned from day-to-day team building, pushing back on the safety cop mentality, and paving her way to being a true leader in the EHS world. Learn how you can use your soft skills to bring people together and make safety everyone’s job.

How do you manage EHS at a company that produces cannabinoids and other psychedelic drugs to try to help with diseases? Chris Garza walks us through his inspirational story that starts with a very early passion for helping others and the world with his work. He started his career in the lab working on stem cell therapy and moved on to overseeing hazardous material disposal from electrical transformers. Chris is now the EHS Manager for Benuvia Manufacturing with over 13 years of experience, and Principal Consultant for Feather and Mane EHS Consultants.

There are many hats to be worn as a safety professional, and data collector/analyzer is often one of them. Jill sits down with Arianna Howard to better understand how safety data analytics and software systems play a role in the EHS environment. Arianna is a Manager of EHS IT Data Platforms and Digital Software Systems in the electric vehicle manufacturing industry.

Alan Davis, CSP sits down with us to share his story of how he "accidentally wound up in a profession to prevent accidents". His story starts with a farm injury that ruled out a military career before it began, but gave him an opportunity to explore a career in safety. He eventually ended up overseeing safety at sea as the Director of Safety and Compliance at American Seafoods Company. With years of experience in Conducting In-Port and At-Sea Vessel Safety Inspections, including Machine Guarding, Work Practices, OSHA Compliance, Life Safety, and more.

Join us as Dolores Salman, CSP, walks us through her accidental safety journey and shares many key points in implementing ESG initiatives as an EHS professional and takes us past the basics of ESG. Dolores is the Global Head of Corporate & Studio EHS at a tech media and entertainment company and past President of the ASSP Los Angeles Chapter.

Jill James takes the mic to explain ESG, why your company should care about it, and how you can prepare for ESG factors as a safety professional.

Learn how you can be a better teacher, educator, and leader in the safety classroom. Our guest is John Mahoney, the manager of EHS, Training and Public Education at Avangrid. He is also a civil engineer, Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and has been a volunteer Firefighter for 48 years.

on Liesmaki shares his 8-step guide to effective management systems and his 5 pillars in tackling leading and lagging indicators that you can use today. Jon has years of safety leadership and management experience, currently as Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety at Harmon Construction. Learn from someone who has been there how you can not only advance your company's safety systems but also how you can advance your career as a safety professional.