MedicAlert Awareness Month with NSSGA Staff
NSSGA Podcast
NSSGA colleagues Adam Pugh, Director of Government Affairs, and Laura Henry, Senior Director of Political Advocacy, join Emily to discuss the lifesaving importance of medical ID bracelets. In honor of National MedicAlert Awareness Month, they share personal stories and professional insights on how these simple wearable devices can be a game-changer in emergency situations, both at home and on the job site. This episode explores the history of the MedicAlert foundation, which began with a 14-year-old’s ‘near-miss’ in 1956. Adam and Laura discuss the practical necessity of medical...
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Sun Exposure and Protection with Katie Woodhall
NSSGA Podcast
Katie Woodhall, Director of Safety with Stone Products and the Beaver Companies, joins Emily to discuss sun protection and heat safety for the aggregates workforce. With summer heat in full swing, Katie shares her personal experiences and professional insights on how miners, quarry workers, and equipment operators can protect themselves from the overlooked hazards of the sun. This vital conversation explores the personal and business impacts of sun exposure, showing that proactive sun safety is key to a healthy work environment. Katie highlights the hidden dangers of UV radiation,...
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The Importance of Workplace Examinations with Dr. Hunter Clymore
NSSGA Podcast
Dr. Hunter Clymore, Director of Safety with Vista Minerals, joins Emily to discuss proactive safety through the lens of workplace examinations. As part of NSSGA’s recognition of National Safety Month, Hunter shares his expertise on how companies can move beyond the "check the box" mentality to develop a culture that identifies and addresses hazards before they lead to injuries, accidents, or citations. This vital conversation explores the difference between reactive and proactive risk management. Hunter highlights the dangers of "pencil whipping" examinations and explains why MSHA...
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Bike Safety Month with Chris Kearnes
NSSGA Podcast
Chris Kearnes, Vice President of Human Resources at Sunrock Industries, joins Emily to discuss the unique intersection between the aggregate industry and National Bike Safety Month. Drawing on his 26 years in the heavy construction industry and over 30 years as a competitive cyclist, Chris shares his perspective on how the materials we produce shape the roads, greenways, and paths used by millions every day. This crucial discussion highlights the shared responsibility of road safety for both drivers and cyclists. Chris explains the urgent need for dedicated infrastructure funding, better...
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Reimagining Annual Training with Cyrus Kezar
NSSGA Podcast
Cyrus Kezar, Safety Manager for L. G. Everist, joins Emily to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in safety and health: keeping training fresh and engaging. Cyrus shares his innovative approach to annual refresher training, designed to resonate with a multi-generational workforce, moving beyond passive presentations to dynamic, hands-on learning experiences. This crucial discussion highlights how understanding diverse learning styles and empowering frontline workers to shape their training can significantly boost engagement, retention, and ultimately, real-world safety impact. Cyrus...
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A Leader’s Perspective on Accountability and Loss with Mike Bush
NSSGA Podcast
Mike Bush, President of Linwood Mining, joins Emily for a sobering conversation about a tragic loss of life. Sharing the heartbreaking story of a 2017 fatality at Linwood's underground mine, Mike details the search for an employee who never returned home. This crucial discussion demonstrates how the incident forever altered Mike’s approach to safety and leadership. Noting that this tragedy was caused by a series of choices, including a failure to enforce rules consistently, Mike urges listeners to recognize that tolerated shortcuts are hidden hazards that cost lives. This episode is a...
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Road Construction Work Zones and Distracted Driving with Kelly Kanaras
NSSGA Podcast
NSSGA’s new Director of Membership Growth & Engagement, Kelly Kanaras, joins Emily to humanize the critical issue of work zone safety. Drawing on her infrastructure background, Kelly discusses the "Watch for Us" campaign and the urgent need to address distracted and aggressive driving. Together, they explore how personal experiences transform safety from a professional obligation to a deeply human priority. Kelly recalls standing with a flagger as traffic roared past at 65 mph, witnessing workers' vulnerability firsthand. Discussing the hundreds of lives lost in 2021 alone, she and...
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Leadership Perspectives on Safety and Health with Ross Boeker
NSSGA Podcast
Ross Boeker, Manager of Safety Services at Vulcan Materials, joins Emily to discuss shifting safety leadership from "command and control" to a growth mindset. Exploring how "humble inquiry" and experimentation bridge the gap between corporate policy and field reality, Ross shares how a failed PPE mandate and a successful road project demonstrated that involving workers builds the trust and ownership necessary for better safety results and compliance. Main Themes: From Clarity in Chaos by Megan Tranter: “A crucial element of leading with a growth mindset is encouraging experimentation.”...
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A Safety Case with Robin Markussen
NSSGA Podcast
Emily is joined by Robin Markussen, Director of Occupational Health and Systems at Heidelberg Materials, to explore the shift from reactive to proactive safety. Drawing on her oil and gas experience, Robin explains how tragedies inspired the "safety case," a proactive risk assessment method. They discuss how this comprehensive tool can be used in any industry to prevent incidents before they happen. Robin recounts the 1988 Piper Alpha disaster, a catastrophe that prompted major safety reforms, and explains how it led to the "safety case" process of identifying hazards, assessing risks, and...
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Diabetes Awareness with Rachel Proper
NSSGA Podcast
Emily welcomes Rachel Proper from Caterpillar Safety Services, for a special episode in recognition of National Diabetes Month. Rachel shares a deeply personal and powerful story about her 13-year-old daughter's recent diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes. She explains how her own family history with the disease allowed her to recognize the subtle but serious symptoms, leading to an early diagnosis that prevented a life-threatening situation. This episode is a crucial listen for everyone, as it details the specific signs of both high and low blood sugar. Rachel provides a firsthand account of the...
info_outlineWelcome 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 tips to keep everyone safe and productive as operations resume, and reminds us all that safety truly is a shared responsibility.
Main Themes:
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Equipment Inspections & Maintenance
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Worksite Safety & Hazard Assessments
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High Wall Stability
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PPE Use
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Workforce Readiness & Training
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Clear Expectations
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Safety as a Responsibility
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Emergency Procedures
Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:
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In this episode, Troy talks about three areas for getting an intermittent/seasonal facility running in the spring: equipment inspections, worksite safety and workforce readiness. Which do you think our facility does best?
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Troy talks about proactive inspections of equipment and the site as a part of a spring thaw. Why do you think it’s important to focus on proactivity?
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Does anyone have a story they’d like to share about coming back to work after the winter?
Key Takeaways:
"A solid restart plan ensures operations run safely, efficiently, and without unnecessary risks."
"Nothing is more important than making sure everyone goes home safe."
"Post-winter maintenance prevents breakdowns, costly delays, and serious safety incidents."
"Proactive inspections aren't just about preventing downtime; they're about preventing accidents."
"Worksite safety and hazard assessments are crucial to protect crews from potential risks."
"A safe start means a strong start, ensuring everyone goes home to their families."
"Refresher training on emergency procedures and safety protocols is a must."
"Rushing leads to mistakes, and mistakes in this industry can cost lives."
"Safety isn't just a policy; it's a responsibility we all share to protect each other."
"Preparation is everything; the effort we put in now makes all the difference for safety and productivity."
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website