Safety Perspectives with Libby Pritchard
NSSGA Podcast
Emily welcomes a familiar voice back to the podcast, Libby Pritchard, who is now the Senior Director of Sales and Business Development with Specialty Granules. Libby, formerly in a safety and health role with NSSGA, discusses her transition into a sales and business development position and how her perspective on being a safety leader has evolved. She shares powerful insights on how every employee, regardless of their title, can and should be a safety champion. Libby shares her initial feeling of leaving a piece of herself behind when "safety" was no longer in her job title. However, a pivotal...
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Water Safety featuring Madalynn Habron
NSSGA Podcast
Emily welcomes NSSGA's Senior Manager of Communications, Madalynn Habron to the podcast today for a discussion regarding critical water safety. Madalynn, a former lifeguard and swim instructor, shares insights on drowning prevention, the importance of swim lessons, recognizing distress signs, and how safety training principles extend from recreational activities to the aggregate industry workplace. Madalynn shares a personal near-drowning story, underscoring the need for constant vigilance around water. The discussion includes CDC child drowning statistics, the often quiet nature of drowning,...
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CPR and AED Awareness with Brian Goepfert
NSSGA Podcast
With June being National Safety Month, a time dedicated to focusing on safety as a core value, and the first week holding special significance as National CPR and AED Awareness Week, Emily is joined today by Brian Goepfert, a former MSHA Administrator for Enforcement and volunteer firefighter. Together, they discuss just how vital CPR and AED training can be in saving a life, and Brian shares a very personal CPR safety story that truly brings home why these skills are so important. Brian paints a clear picture of what happens during a cardiac event and how immediate action, with CPR and...
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The Evolution of Safety Training with Shea Davis
NSSGA Podcast
In this episode of Safety Shorts, host Emily Hargrove, NSSGA's Director of Occupational Safety and Health, welcomes Shea Davis, Regional Operations Manager for CDE USA, to discuss the evolution of safety training in the aggregates industry, particularly over NSSGA’s 25-year history. Together, they explore the shift from passive, compliance-focused methods to today's interactive, real-world learning essential for engaging younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z. Shea also shares a personal injury story highlighting the critical need for proactive hazard identification and risk...
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Spring Restart Safety with Troy Austin
NSSGA Podcast
Welcome back to Safety Shorts, your quick dose of safety wisdom! I'm your new host, Emily Hargrove, and I'm thrilled to welcome Troy Austin, Value Safety Manager at Luck Companies, back to the podcast today. As the days get longer and temperatures rise, many in the mining and aggregates industry are gearing up to restart seasonal operationshis, and this episode is all about ensuring a safe and efficient return to work, focusing on proactive strategies to mitigate risks associated with post-winter start-ups. Troy shares his expert insights on three critical areas to address, offers practical...
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My Cancer Stupidity with Robert “Cujo” Teschner
NSSGA Podcast
Robert “Cujo” Teschner, former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, husband, father, author, and advocate for lifelong learning, returns to the podcast today to share a deeply personal and cautionary tale about his “cancer stupidity”—ignoring early warning signs of illness due to pride, fear, and a misplaced sense of invincibility. Reflecting on how this experience reshaped his life and perspective, Cujo underscores the importance of listening to our bodies and overcoming the cultural and personal barriers that prevent many from seeking medical help. His journey offers invaluable...
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A Near Miss with Robert “Cujo” Teschner
NSSGA Podcast
Safety Shorts welcomes Robert “Cujo” Teschner to the podcast today to recount a harrowing “near miss” over the Atlantic that reshaped his view on risk and responsibility. A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Cujo offers powerful insights into the dangers of prioritizing performance over safety, underscoring the importance of keeping safety as the ultimate measure of success in any high-stakes environment. Reflecting on how competitive instincts nearly led to disaster, he highlights the need for clear priorities, a message that resonates across industries. Remember - true success...
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A Routine Scan with Rob Lanham
NSSGA Podcast
This week, Libby Pritchard welcomes industry veteran Rob Lanham back to the podcast to share his personal health journey following over 42 years in Virginia's transportation construction sector. Rob recounts how a routine medical check-up uncovered a life-threatening condition, highlighting the importance of early detection and regular screenings. After recovering from a heart attack in 2021, a prostate issue led to the discovery of a massive tumor, underscoring the unpredictability of health challenges. Rob reflects on his emotional journey through a cancer diagnosis and recovery, emphasizing...
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“How You Do Everything” with Ronn Lehmann
NSSGA Podcast
In this episode of Safety Shorts, host Libby Pritchard welcomes back safety consultant Ronn Lehmann, who delves into the critical relationship between safety and quality. Through a personal story about tree trimming near power lines, Ron illustrates the importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards in all aspects of life, not just the workplace. He emphasizes that consumer decisions play a significant role in safety outcomes and that professional conduct is essential in ensuring both safety and quality. The discussion highlights how mindset and habits are foundational to a robust safety...
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Three Points of Contact with Jay Collup
NSSGA Podcast
Libby is excited to welcome Jay Collup, the founder of Collup Enterprises, to the show for this important episode. Boasting an extensive career in the industry and a passion for training, particularly in mobile equipment operator safety, Jay proves an invaluable guest. In this episode, he shares a compelling story that underscores the importance of maintaining three points of contact—a critical safety practice in the industry. Delving into the details of a severe accident he witnessed, our guest highlights the catastrophic consequences of not following proper safety protocols. He goes on to...
info_outlineIn 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 change in the mining industry and ensure that every miner returns home safely.
Episode Highlights:
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The alarming statistics behind fall-related fatalities in the US
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The importance of having a comprehensive fall protection plan
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Best practices for reducing fall hazards in mining operations
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The significance of proper training and equipment usage
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The role of secure anchor points in fall prevention
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The benefits of mobile platforms and scaffolding
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The critical need for annual fall protection training
Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:
- In this episode, Jennifer Miles talks about how slips, trips and falls are the leading cause of injuries and fatalities. What is one thing that we can do on a day-to-day basis to protect ourselves and our coworkers?
- Why do you think that many people believe that fall fatalities only happen at extreme heights?
- Does anyone have a story about a time where they were working at heights?
Quotes:
"Most people think that a fatality from a fall has to be from an extreme height to cause a death. That's not the case."
"The mining industry is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world."
"By providing them with the proper protection and training regarding slips, trips, and falls, we can help save these lives."
"This can be a very dangerous industry. But we do have the controls to prevent these types of accidents and injuries."
"Working at heights is something that we face often in this industry, and there's actions that we can take."
"It is so important to reflect on those, to remember them, to take what we can from those."
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website