Thinking About Families Following Catastrophic Injuries with Bill Duguay
NSSGA Podcast
Bill Duguay brings his vast amount of industry experience back to the podcast today to discuss the importance of workplace safety, accident prevention, and the implementation of stringent safety protocols. Bill, who now advises leadership teams on running safety-oriented businesses, shares a personal and poignant story about a lockout/tagout procedure gone wrong, an incident that nearly cost his father his life, and that had a profound impact upon his family. Throughout the episode, he stresses the human element of workplace safety, advocating that the protection of workers extends...
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Do as I Say and Do with Aaron Witt
NSSGA Podcast
In a key Safety Shorts episode, Aaron Witt, CEO of Build Witt, shares crucial safety insights from his early construction days. Starting at 18 with no prior experience, Witt learned the hard way that following experienced workers without question doesn't guarantee safety. His narrative highlights the danger of neglecting safety protocols, especially around trenches, and the life-saving importance of adhering to guidelines. The discussion emphasizes the need for questioning, the courage to challenge unsafe practices, and the shared responsibility in promoting a safe work environment....
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Total Worker Health with Josh Ierna
NSSGA Podcast
Josh Ierna, Safety Manager at Tilcon Connecticut, joins Libby today to delve into the transformative journey of Total Worker Health and its profound impact on organizational wellbeing. Josh highlights the evolution of Total Worker Health, addressing multifaceted issues such as mental wellness, opioid overdose prevention, and suicide awareness, through proactive engagement with employees, fostering a culture of support and empowerment. Throughout the discussion, Josh elaborates on Tilcon Connecticut's journey, from raising awareness through dedicated training sessions to implementing...
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Why We Do Training with DJ Schmutz
NSSGA Podcast
This week, Libby reunites with DJ Schmutz, Director of Operations with MSHA Safety Services, as he delivers a compelling narrative that transcends workplace boundaries to underscore the real-world significance of safety training. DJ's harrowing personal experience from a year and a half ago vividly illustrates the importance of being prepared for emergencies, as his son's seizure becomes a poignant reminder that safety skills can be a lifeline in unexpected situations. As you will hear, this episode not only emphasizes the critical need for maintaining composure and relying on training in...
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Critical Incident Response with Cal Beyer
NSSGA Podcast
Welcome to another impactful episode of Safety Shorts with your host, Libby Pritchard. In this episode, Libby welcomes back a special guest, Cal Beyer, Vice President of Risk, Safety, and Mental Well-Being at ethOs, who brings with him his extensive experience and knowledge in addressing mental health and critical incident response in the workplace. Today, he shares a pivotal moment when he realized the importance of psychological first aid and critical incident response, while also offering practical strategies that can transform the way organizations support their employees through...
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Have a Plan, Get Home Safe with Bill Duguay
NSSGA Podcast
With the holidays right around the corner, Libby brings us this special installment of Safety Shorts that is both timely and timeless. Today, the spotlight is on Bill Duguay, an industry veteran with an impressive 40+ years of experience in constructing roads and bridges across the nation. Beyond his career in construction, Bill now collaborates closely with leadership teams, aiding them in the pursuit of business excellence. The central theme of this episode revolves around a powerful safety narrative, as Bill shares a personal account that serves as an unwavering reminder of the grave...
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The Importance of Fall Protection by Jennifer Miles
NSSGA Podcast
In another compelling episode of Safety Shorts, host Libby Pritchard introduces a special guest, Jennifer Miles, a seasoned safety professional with 16 years of expertise currently affiliated with Sales Solutions. Jennifer's passion for safety and her dedication to saving lives serve as a true source of inspiration. In this episode, the focus delves deeply into the critical topic of fall protection when working at heights, a subject that has witnessed a concerning increase in fatalities within the industry this year. Join Libby and Jennifer in this enlightening episode to help make a positive...
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Epilepsy Awareness with Jason Epstein
NSSGA Podcast
Welcome back to another impactful episode of Safety Shorts, where Libby welcomes Jason Epstein, NSSGA's Director of Membership, to delve into the significance of Epilepsy Awareness Month and explore Jason's own personal journey living with epilepsy. In this engaging conversation, they discuss the importance of dispelling myths about epilepsy, offer practical tips for assisting someone having a seizure, and highlight the broader impact of raising awareness about this neurological condition. As you listen in today, you are encouraged to remember that your knowledge can make a difference in...
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Who is Responsible for Your Safety?
NSSGA Podcast
In yet another compelling episode of Safety Shorts, Libby welcomes DJ Schmutz, an advocate from MSHA Safety Services, to highlight the paramount importance of fostering a strong workplace safety culture and encourage individuals to assert their Stop Work Authority in hazardous situations. DJ's gripping personal story vividly illustrates the human inclination to yield to external pressures, emphasizing that safety ultimately rests in one's own hands. This episode underscores the significance of personal responsibility in safety, the role of leadership in shaping a safety-oriented environment,...
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Workplace Accident and Lessons Learned with Travis Wilson
NSSGA Podcast
Travis Wilson, a former member of the 82nd Airborne, joins Libby on the podcast this week. As an army veteran with extensive experience in safety and health, Travis brings his wealth of knowledge in hazardous waste management, chemical safety, and industrial hygiene to share a cautionary tale that highlights the importance of safety basics and staying vigilant in the face of potential hazards. As you will, Travis’ story serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of adhering to safety protocols, maintaining effective communication, and understanding the importance of emergency...
info_outlineLibby is joined today by Chris May, Vice President of Safety and Environmental Operations at CRH in Atlanta, Georgia. Chris shares a powerful story with listeners today about taking action and doing the right thing, even when it's not easy – a story from which we can all learn a valuable lesson.
Episode Highlights
- Chris’ story begins when she was fairly new to her job and noticed a 30 year veteran roller operator not wearing a seatbelt while working
- While she initially passed by without comment, she decided to listen to the voice in her head and go back to speak to him about the need to wear a seatbelt, eventually convincing him to do so
- Two months later she received a phone call telling her that this employee had been in a serious rollover, that his seat belt had saved his life, and that he wanted to thank her for what she did
- The impact of safety training, reminders, and innovations
- The importance of taking action even when it’s not easy
Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions
- It's not always easy to ask someone to do stop what they're doing. What do you think is the hardest part about confronting someone about safety?
- How is our company culture around encouraging people to confront potential safety hazards?
- Does anyone have a story about "See Something, Say Something" they’d like to share?
Quotes:
“He's been doing this for 30 years, and he has to know all the risks involved. And who am I to question that? So the easiest thing for me to do was just keep walking. But then, as it probably happens to many of you, I had that little voice inside me that told me to turn around.”
“The roller had traveled out in an embankment, completely flipping three times and eventually landing upside down.”
“Please call that little lady and tell her that I said ‘Thank you. That seatbelt saved my life.’”
“You never know when an accident can happen, and even doing the mundane tasks that you've done for 30 years, you always need to take your safety precautions seriously.”
“The trainings that we conduct, the gentle reminders that we provide to our employees, the safety innovations that we put in place, all of these things are working to ensure that we provide a safe workplace for our employees.”
“Things changed for me that day, I realized that, you know, I have an obligation to act - it’s not just a choice. And so I realized I couldn't take the path of least resistance, that I had to do what was right.”
“I think about what the consequences would have been if I hadn't taken action.”
“I hope that this will inspire you to do something and to take action, even when it's not easy.”
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website