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...
info_outlineNSSGA 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....
info_outlineNSSGA 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...
info_outlineNSSGA 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...
info_outlineNSSGA 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...
info_outlineNSSGA 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...
info_outlineNSSGA 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...
info_outlineNSSGA 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...
info_outlineNSSGA 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,...
info_outlineNSSGA 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_outlineEpisode Highlights:
- Ronn learned about the story he shares here today when he was conducting a cultural audit of an organization, and it has always stuck with him over the years
- The story takes place during a renovation project for a large power plant where painters were using mobile scaffolding which they repeatedly set up, took down, and moved to a number of different locations
- After several incidents occurred during this process where painters could have been seriously injured, everyone was required to attend scaffold safety training
- A little over an hour after the training ended, one of the painters who had attended it died after his scaffold collapsed while he was working
- The lessons Ronn learned from this incident are that simply providing training isn't enough; it has to be designed and presented well; workers must be able to demonstrate what they learned and that they can work safely; and maybe most importantly, it has to be reinforced by the leaders
- According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, scaffold related accidents result in roughly 60 deaths and 4500 injuries every year
- When It comes to scaffold and fall protection, we're still learning
Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:
- In this story, a fatal fall happens just an hour after a scaffolding safety training. How can we create and maintain a company culture where safety trainings aren’t a box to check?
- What you learn in a safety training must be reinforced in the field. What are some examples of this we can see in our daily work?
- Does anyone have a story about safety culture they’d like to share?
Quotes:
“There were these repeated incidents where painters could have been seriously injured, almost falling off or slipping or any number of close calls. So eventually, they had a general stand down, and everyone had to attend scaffold safety training.”
“He went to a training session, and about an hour later, he was dead.”
“The investigation revealed that the painter wasn't following safety procedures. And, perhaps more importantly, his supervisor allowed that the rigging was supposed to be checked after each move, and it wasn't being checked, there was no fall protection harness.”
“The questions that I had when I heard this story was: Was the training done? Well, what's the problem? The training? And if it was done, well, why didn't it prevent this fatality? Were supervisors part of the training? And did they go back and insist on following what they had just learned?”
“You can't be just using training as checking the attendance box and say, 'Yeah, they attended.'”
“No matter how good the training is, how much I want to follow it. If I go back into the workplace, and it's not reinforced or even mentioned by my leader, I'll tend to go away from it.”
“Safety is personal. It is a decision we make every day from the person doing the work to the supervisors.”
“Everyone needs to make sure that we maintain a great culture and an attitude towards safety.”
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website