Ep. 161: Second Opinions in Work Comp | How They Work and When to Seek One
The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies
Release Date: 08/15/2025
Ep. 169: Protecting Young Employees | Safety Training Essentials
The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies
Young employees experience injury rates 1.2 to 2.3 times higher than the average adult popular. MEM Nurse Case Management Supervisor Lauren Mattes shares how proper training, hands-on practice, and creating a speak-up culture can dramatically reduce these risks. Learn age-appropriate safety strategies, mentor assignment best practices, and documentation requirements that protect young team members while building their confidence.
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Ep. 168: Post-Incident Drug Testing | A Guide for Employers
The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies
Employers need a clear drug testing plan before incidents occur to make informed decisions quickly. Amy Wimer from Premier Biotech shares practical tips to implement a testing program that incorporates on-site rapid oral fluid testing.
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Ep. 167: Wearable Safety Tech | How Smart Devices Cut Work Comp Claims by 90%
The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies
Wearable safety technology helps businesses identify workplace hazards before they cause injuries. Tom West of MākuSafe explains how data-driven safety approaches reduce work comp costs, improve productivity, and cut safety incidents by 50-90%.
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Ep. 166: Ask the Right Questions | School Safety Starts with "Why"
The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies
From slips and falls to emergency preparedness, schools face diverse safety challenges. Zac Rantz, Nixa Public Schools Chief Communications Officer, shares his people-first approach to preventing workplace injuries. By asking the right questions, creating sustainable systems, and addressing the root causes behind unsafe behaviors, administrators can build a collaborative safety culture that protects everyone on campus.
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Ep. 165: Careers in Safety and Risk | Making an Impact and Saving Lives
The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies
Considering a career in safety? Brandon Jones, MEM Director of Safety and Risk Services, shares insights from his 35-year career helping businesses create safer workplaces. Discover why communication skills matter as much as technical knowledge, how technology is changing the field, and why this profession offers meaningful opportunities to impact people’s lives.
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Ep. 164: Complex Workers Compensation Claims | High Risk, High Dollar
The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies
When workplace injuries become complex, high-dollar work comp claims, the financial impact extends far beyond immediate medical costs. MEM’s claims experts Shannon Fox and Lyndi Barthel share strategies for recognizing warning signs, managing costs, and successfully navigating the most challenging claims.
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Ep. 163: Working Near Roads | Safety Essentials to Reduce Roadside Risk
The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies
Work zone deaths are on the rise, affecting construction crews and everyday drivers. MoDOT’s Jon Nelson shares critical safety practices, including training, risk assessment, communication systems, and accountability measures that can prevent work zone incidents and save lives.
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Ep. 162: Practical Home Safety Tips | Bringing Work Habits Home
The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies
Safety habits don't clock out when you do. The same hazards that cause workplace injuries occur just as frequently at home. MEM Safety and Risk Services Regional Manager Sheila Schmidt shares how to apply workplace safety principles at home, build a family safety culture, and create consistent awareness that protects you everywhere.
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Ep. 161: Second Opinions in Work Comp | How They Work and When to Seek One
The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies
When treatment isn't progressing or complications arise in workers' compensation claims, second medical opinions can provide crucial clarity. MEM Claims Operations Manager Shannon Fox shares the warning signs that signal when a second opinion is needed, how state laws affect the process, and how employers can navigate these situations effectively to support your injured worker's recovery.
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Ep. 160: How Payroll Impacts Your Workers Compensation Coverage | Avoiding Common Mistakes
The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies
Most business owners know that payroll affects their work comp premium. Did you know it also determines who's covered if an injury happens? From naming the wrong business entity to classifying subcontractors, payroll mistakes can create coverage gaps and surprises at audit time. MEM Underwriting Specialist Tammy Canton shares how to protect your business with accurate reporting and proactive communication.
info_outlineWhen treatment isn't progressing or complications arise in workers' compensation claims, second medical opinions can provide crucial clarity. MEM Claims Operations Manager Shannon Fox shares the warning signs that signal when a second opinion is needed, how state laws affect the process, and how employers can navigate these situations effectively to support your injured worker's recovery.