How a Near Miss Led to a Better Process with Kyle Hunter
NSSGA Podcast
Kyle Hunter, Head of Sales and System Specialist with CheckProof, joins Emily to share a gripping safety story from early in his career working at a quarry. When a medical emergency struck and a coworker experienced chest pains, the team quickly realized a serious gap in their safety plan: they knew an AED was on-site, but nobody knew exactly where it was. This episode explores how to turn a near miss into a life-saving system. Kyle details the internal deep-dive his team conducted to overhaul their emergency preparedness. From standardizing defibrillator kits with essential supporting tools...
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Safety and Advocacy with Holly Poplawski
NSSGA Podcast
Holly Poplawski of AlignOps joins Emily to discuss the vital role of advocacy in building a resilient safety culture. In recognition of NSSGA’s advocacy month this September, Holly shares her unique perspective on how safety professionals can influence change, build organizational support and help companies of all sizes strengthen their safety programs from the ground up. This episode explores the four most common situations where organizations seek help - ranging from rapid growth and manual process fatigue to responding to serious incidents or audit findings. Holly explains why safety...
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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.”...
info_outlineEmily 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, and risks in shallow water. Listeners will gain practical advice on fencing, supervision, using PFDs, and adhering to safety protocols at aggregate facilities. A central theme is how robust safety training cultivates a lasting safety-conscious mindset, benefiting individuals and their families both at home and on the job.
Main Themes:
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Maintaining active supervision around water.
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Drowning can happen quickly and silently.
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Swim lessons are vital for children and adults.
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Madalynn's story regarding the role of quick action and alertness in saving a toddler
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Using barriers and approved PFDs for added safety.
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Specific water safety protocols protect workers at aggregate sites.
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Consistent safety training builds instinctual, life-saving responses.
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Safety skills learned at work also protect loved ones at home.
Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:
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Madalynn talks about her experience as a lifeguard and how water safety has always been a part of her life. Why do you think it’s important to teach safety lessons early, whether that’s in life or professionally?
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Madalynn shares some ways in which we can keep safe while working around water. What are some critical controls for working around water at our site?
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Does anyone have a story they would like to share about water safety?
Key Takeaways:
"Drowning is quick and usually quiet. Recognizing this and acting can save lives."
"Start swim lessons early. It's never too late to learn."
"Be aware and prepared. Situations can change in an instant."
"Train regularly. Reacting becomes second nature when you can fall back on training."
"Training follows you home. Safety practices at work keep loved ones safe too."
"Supervise children near water. Even a foot of water can be dangerous."
"Follow lifeguard instructions. Parents should still supervise their children closely."
"Less confident swimmers can wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device."
"Proper policies and procedures must be in place and adhered to around water."
"Spending time in water is safe with early lessons and regular exposure to water safety."
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website
Take Control: Prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities: https://www.nssga.org/industry-priorities/health-safety/take-control-prevent-serious-injuries-and-fatalities