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_outlineIn this latest episode, Libby is joined by Kyle Zimmer, Health and Safety Director with the Operating Engineers at Local 478, who has been passionately working towards improving worker well-being, mental health, and addressing substance abuse issues for over 15 years. Today, Kyle shares his journey of developing a peer program for both construction and general industry to tackle addiction, suicide prevention, and mental health challenges. His conversation with Libby highlights the cultural changes in the industry over the years and the importance of workplace peers who care, show compassion, and provide support to their colleagues. They also discuss the impact of the opioid crisis and how it brought awareness to the need for assistance programs and resources. Emphasizing the importance of breaking the stigma around mental health, Kyle is here today to encourage more peers on the job site to provide support and recommend further care when needed.
Episode Highlights:
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Kyle Zimmer shares his 20-year journey with Local 478 Operating Engineers and the focus on worker well-being, mental health, and substance abuse issues
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Cultural changes in the construction and general industry over the years and how they addressed the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE)
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The emergence of lifestyle issues, such as addiction, suicide prevention, and mental health, and the industry's response to tackle these challenges
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The role of workplace peers in supporting colleagues, recognizing struggles, and providing help and resources
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The three C's and the three R's that define a workplace peer's approach to providing support and care to those in need
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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and the importance of continuing to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues
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The accessibility of being a workplace peer and the significance of staying with the person, having conversations, and recommending resources for further care
Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:
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In this episode, Kyle talks about some of the changes in workplace culture he has seen over his career. Have you noticed any of the cultural shifts he spoke about, or any others?
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Kyle describes what it means to be a workplace peer. Does anyone have a story about a time where they were supported by their peers, or they gave support to others?
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How do you think a formal workplace peer program would work at our site? Would you be interested in participating, why or why not?
Quotes:
"The biggest cultural change I was involved in was in the late 70s, early 80s, when we went to shore up the wearing of PPE... That was probably the biggest thing that started changes in both construction and general industry."
"The opioid crisis surely played a big part in people reaching out for help... things started happening. People were reaching out for help, both on the labor side and the management side. We realized we had a problem. We couldn't continue this way."
"The best way to address this is through workplace peers, people that care about other people."
"Being a peer is not rocket science. It's caring, compassion, and concern. And we all have that in us."
"Encourage people to be peers, be there for their coworkers and friends, and then help them take that next step in making recommendations for further care."
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website