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_outlineJosh 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 innovative programs like onsite athletic training, demonstrating a commitment to prioritizing employee health and safety. Their collaborative approach emphasizes engagement and empowerment, tailored solutions, and continuous improvement, ensuring meaningful impact and paving the way for a brighter future of employee wellbeing and organizational success.
Episode Highlights:
Tilcon Connecticut's path towards embracing holistic well-being beyond traditional safety measures with Total Worker Health
Engaging employees in dialogue and empowering them to contribute to well-being initiatives
Evolution of initiatives from awareness campaigns to practical programs like onsite athletic training
Recognizing diverse workforce needs, and emphasizing personalized solutions and proactive support
Fostering a culture of shared responsibility through collaboration between management, employees, and external partners
Commitment to ongoing refinement through feedback solicitation
The impact of initiatives
The future of employee well-being
Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:
In this episode, Josh comes on the podcast to talk about his company’s total worker health journey. What do you think about health programs like this that include wellness?
To get started on their total worker health journey, Josh’s company got buy-in from employees at all levels. Why do you think this kind of engagement is important?
Total worker health is a program that varies from company to company. Where can we improve or make changes to our company’s health programs?
Quotes:
"We need to constantly engage with our employees... It's where we found the biggest value."
"Taking safety, psychological safety, mental wellness, putting it all together into a program under total worker health's guidance benefits both the employee and us."
"Engagement is the key... Talk to your people, ask them what's important."
"Total Worker Health is about taking care of our workforce, both at work and at home."
"By prioritizing employee well-being, we ultimately drive positive outcomes for the company as a whole."
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/twh/default.html
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep/twhcenters.html