Hack Your Hazcom

Host Atanu Das interviews Claire Bryant of the National Safety Council about workplace wellbeing and its connection to workplace and roadway safety. Bryant explains NSC’s wellbeing work began in 2012 with the overdose crisis and now includes fatigue, mental distress, psychological safety, workplace violence, and other psychosocial hazards, emphasizing research showing a strong correlation between wellbeing investments and imp...

Host Atanu Das interviews Ken Sumner of KWS Training, a dangerous goods transportation trainer with 30+ years’ experience, about where OSHA HazCom and DOT transport requirements intersect and frequently conflict. Sumner describes common SDS problems—missing or wrong classifications, mismatch between product form and SDS (powder vs aerosol, solids on ethanol), outdated or un-updated Section 14 entries after reformulation...

We welcome Angela Oler and Carrie Johnson from AIHA Registry Programs to discuss the SDS and Label Authoring Registry Program (SDSRP), created to address increasing hazard classification complexity and global GHS implementation. They explain how the credential differentiates authors by independently validating technical competency in hazard classification, regulatory interpretation, and defensible SDS/label decisions, strengthening...

In this Hack Your Hazcom episode kicking off the show’s second year, Atanu invites audience feedback at hackyourhazcom.com and is joined by labeling experts Steve Donze and Nathan Stellman of Empower Label (formerly Brandywine Drum Labels) to discuss how labeling programs become compliance and safety liabilities. They explain common HazCom breakdowns between requirements and field reality, especially with secondary and small ...

Atanu joins Rob Mitkus, a PhD toxicologist with 25 years’ experience across pesticides, industrial chemicals, vaccine components, medical devices, and consumer products, to discuss how toxicology underpins Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and HazCom/GHS compliance. Rob defines toxicity as harm under specific conditions and emphasizes SDS content and precautions should be evidence-driven and understandable to downstream users includin...

The host interviews Adele Abrams, an attorney and safety professional at Littler Mendelson, about legal and practical risks facing OSHA/MSHA regulation and HazCom. Abrams explains the Allstates Refractory nondelegation argument—revived by Justices Thomas and Gorsuch—and a new Fifth Circuit case that could invalidate many OSHA rules issued under general rulemaking authority, potentially shrinking the CFR and affecting MS...

In this episode we speak with security analyst and bestselling author Robert Siciliano about the “human blind spot” that causes safety and security programs to fail despite strong technology and rules. Robert explains how optimism bias, cognitive ease, fatigue, and reinforced shortcuts drive complacency, making annual check-the-box training feel like white noise and creating “security theater.” He outlines p...

In this episode, we discuss the scientific and regulatory definitions of flammability and combustibility. The episode details different categories of flammable and combustible liquids based on their flashpoints and boiling points, and explains the classification systems of OSHA, GHS, and NFPA. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the flashpoint and combustibility of materials in various work environments, the implications ...

In this engaging episode of Hack Your Hazcom, we welcome Melissa Owen, founder of AMBIENTELEGAL and a top expert in regulatory compliance and sustainability throughout Latin America. Melissa shares her extensive knowledge in navigating the complexities of environmental regulations in the region. Discussing everything from the absence of centralized regulatory bodies like the EU to the rising role of OECD in promoting chemical compl...

Welcome to Jennifer Koenig, an expert with over 30 years of regulatory compliance experience, who shares insights on ISO audits, including ISO 14001 for environmental management and ISO 45001 for health and safety. Jennifer discusses the importance of compliance audits, the role of internal and third-party audits, and the value of ISO standards in risk management. She also touches on the challenges companies face in maintaining reg...

We welcome Manuela Dukeshire, an expert in hazard communication and global SDS authoring with over 16 years of experience. Manuela discusses the complexities and evolving nature of hazard classification and regulatory compliance, emphasizing the importance of staying updated with legislation and engaging with professional societies. She provides practical advice on managing multi-country SDS requirements, aligning different section...

We welcome Steve Laughlin, owner of CJ and K Training, who shares his extensive experience in Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S). The conversation covers a wide range of topics from the complications of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in spill response and waste disposal to the importance of accurate chemical information and regulatory hurdles. We also delve into the frustrations faced by professionals working with incomplete or c...

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Corrine Greenberg, an EHS manager at Eckhart America's Louisville facility, discussing her innovative approach to hazard communication at the EHS Summit in Louisville, Kentucky. Corrine shares how she transformed traditional hazard communication (HAZCOM) training into a public-facing course tailored for sensitive populations in the community. Inspired by the 2023 East Palestine tr...

In this episode, recorded live at the AHMP Hazmat Summit, Atanu interviews Becky Neal, a Senior Strategic Manager of Compliance at Envita Solutions. Becky provides insights into the complexities of regulatory support for hazardous waste disposal and recycling. She discusses the challenges of using Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for waste profiling, addressing the disconnect between the information provided and the real-world requirements...

In this episode, Atanu welcomes Jonelle Thomas, a Global Regulatory Affairs Manager at Microban International, to share her career journey. Jonelle discusses her academic background in biochemistry and toxicology, her early career aspirations, and her transition from research to regulatory affairs. She highlights the importance of mentorship in shaping her career path and shares insights into the regulatory field, including challen...

In this episode we welcome Donna Switzer, a certified sustainability professional and environmental auditor, to discuss the principles and importance of corporate sustainability. Donna explains the formal definition of sustainability from the Rio Earth Summit and the core elements of environmental footprint, social impact, and regulatory compliance. She shares practical examples of successful corporate sustainability programs and e...

In this episode, we welcome Doug Strock, Vice President of Global Language Translations and Consulting who shares his extensive insights into the complexities of global hazard communication through translation. The conversation covers strategies for effective communication across a multilingual workforce, the challenges faced by non-English speakers, and real-world examples where translation issues impacted safety and compliance. D...

In this episode, our guests, Michelle Baker and Beth Dederick, discuss the intricacies of product stewardship. Michelle, with over 25 years of experience in product stewardship and regulatory compliance, and Beth, with more than 20 years in environmental consulting, share their expertise on the importance of product stewardship. They explain the concept, the roles of various stakeholders, and the global implications of regulatory c...

In this episode, we sit down with John Newquist, a nationally recognized expert in occupational safety and health, to discuss the effectiveness of safety training programs, particularly for hazard communication (HazCom). John shares insights from his four decades of experience, focusing on challenges faced by workers with low literacy or limited English proficiency. He emphasizes the importance of bilingual trainers, visual aids, h...