The Occupational Safety Leadership Podcast

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses the difference between hearing and listening to employees discuss hazards.  Hearing is passive whereas listening is active.  Listen to the employees concerns and solutions and ask any clarifying questions to ensure you (the Safety Professional) clearly understands the hazards and proposed corrections.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers talks to Rod Courtney about his book "8 Habits of a Highly Effective Safety Culture".  I really enjoyed the book and Rod's real world practical knowledge for safety professionals to work with operations.  

On today's episode Dr. Ayers speaks to Matt Herron of the Southwest Research Institute.  We discuss ergonomics and awkward postures along with garnering management support for correcting hazards.  Matt was also featured on Episode 91 where we discussed the basics of ergonomics and cabinet lasers.  Matt is a wealth of knowledge and a legend in the Occupational Safety field.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers talks about having patience when implementing safety programs, policies, metrics.  Change will not happen overnight.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers talks about important life lessons he learned from former bosses.  Are you the Safety Leader that you want to follow?

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses a strategy that has worked very well for him when asking employees to identify hazards.  Do everything you can to listen more than you speak.  Employees have great insights to the hazards and how to correct them.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses task competency and occupational safety.  When do you let a new hire operate on their own?  Is passing a test only considered competency or do they need to perform a hands-on demonstration?  Please like, listen and subscribe to the Occupational Safety Leadership Podcast.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses the power of storytelling when presenting training in occupational safety.  Storytelling helps make the safety training personal and helps keep employees engaged in learning.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses the pitfalls of over commitment in occupational safety.  A strategy is to use a method to risk rank the hazard or risk.  Time, money, effort, etc. is a finite resource.  All hazards cannot be tackled at the same time.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses that as Safety Professionals, we should expect hardship and stop thinking everything is so easy.  Get input and buy-in from employees, then implement policies, training, etc.  Then the employees have skin in the game.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers talks to Tracy Krieger of OC Safety about an incident she had at a company where an employee was experiencing a mental health crisis.  Tracy goes into the response and the lessons learned from the incident.  This was a great interview and outlines an area where Safety Professionals should have a plan ready in case such an incident happens in their workplace. 

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses a story with one of his old friends where he was accused of favoritism.  We naturally become friends with employees in the workplace, but hazards and unsafe behavior cannot be overlooked just because you are friends. 

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses training for a new skill and bringing new hires onboard.  Do we actually train employees or just assume they know what they are doing?  Or do we put them with an "old-timer" to show them the ropes?

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses framing success when answer a safety question and beware of rabbit holes.  Dr. Ayers is a recovering "Rabbit Hole Expert".

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses micromanagement.  Is it the employee or the supervisors that needs help?  I'd argue more that it's the supervisor who wants things done a certain way.  Don't micromanage employees.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers talks about not being a ticket puncher.  A ticket puncher is someone who cares about the next promotion as opposed to being focused on helping employees reduce hazards.  Don't be a Ticket Puncher.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses a strategy to find employees who speak freely about hazards in the workplace.  If you are a new safety person as the facility, have patience. 

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses a recent phone call with another safety professional expressing their concerns about being laid off and getting out of the safety profession.  It hasn't been all rainbows and unicorns, but I think safety is a great profession and I have gotten a great deal of satisfaction from solving difficult and demanding hazards.