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...
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A Concussion Safety Story with Dan Babish
NSSGA Podcast
Safety Shorts tackles the topic of concussion safety with Luck Stone’s Regional Sales and Operations Manager, Dan Babish, a seasoned industry professional with close to 20 years experience in the business. Dan's harrowing story about a concussion from a post-driver incident underscores the importance of safety precautions, especially for those new to farm work. The episode emphasizes the often-underestimated recovery time required for head injuries and the value of safety training. By applying workplace safety habits at home and utilizing a buddy system for risky tasks, listeners working in...
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Safety as Personal with Sarah D’Amico
NSSGA Podcast
In this episode of Safety Shorts, Libby welcomes Sarah D'Amico, Marketing Manager of Turner Mining Group and Turner Staffing Group, to discuss the deeply personal importance of safety in such industries as mining. Sarah shares how her perspective on safety evolved from a set of rules to an emotional priority, particularly with her fiancé being a project superintendent in mining. Coinciding with Safety Month, Sarah’s story underscores the life-changing consequences of neglecting safety measures as well as the importance of prioritizing workplace safety for everyone who cares for and counts...
info_outlineSafety 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 means everyone returns home safe.
Main Themes:
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Cujo’s story of prioritizing safety over performance in high-stakes environments
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Impact of competitive instincts on risk assessment and decision-making
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The importance of post-mission debriefs for continuous learning and behavior change
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Reflecting on how prioritization impacts those close to us
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Lessons in responsibility that transcend industries, including mining
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The influence of near-death experiences on personal values and perspectives
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Redefining "winning" as the safe return of every team member
Quotes:
"In our squadron, we practiced that exact scenario every day… but that day was different."
"We almost had a spectacular mid-air collision, the likes of which hadn't been seen in quite some time."
"My opponent was only motivated with winning that day, and that shift almost cost us our lives."
"In that moment, the need to 'win' took precedence over the importance of safety, with near-tragic results."
"When you start putting performance over safety, the consequences can be horrific."
"He had a wife and children, and yet we nearly lost it all for the sake of a training exercise."
"We both learned from it, and I define learning as behavior change."
"For any high-risk job, true winning means everyone gets home safe."
"Safety should always come first; that’s the only real definition of success."
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website