The WorkSAFE Podcast | Workplace Safety Strategies

Struck by incidents are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Learn how to protect employees - and businesses - from unexpected impact with Jessica Bunting, Director of the Research to Practice Program at the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) and Brad Sand, Senior Vice President of Safety and Education at the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).

More than 80% of today's U.S. workforce is made up of sedentary jobs. Staying seated for hours isn't great for the human body. It can cause constant aches, pains and even long-term physical damage. Discover how to reduce sitting time and improve the overall well-being of employees with Dr. Stefan Zavalin, physical therapy professional and founder of Love to Move.

Now, more than ever, employees start their day with a lot of stress. Add this stress to the typical workday, and the chance for incident and injury increases. Learn five ways to reduce stress, and safety risks, on the job with returning guest Dr. Richard Gasaway, founder of Situational Awareness Matters!™.

Branson, MO is a popular vacation destination. But it takes a team to maintain the thriving community of 10,000 year-round residents. Learn what it takes to manage risk and promote safety at the lakeside locale with Bob Smither, Risk Manager for the City of Branson.

Many projects require multiple trades. But when it comes to multi-employer worksites, who is responsible for safety? The answer: everyone. Learn how to prioritize the safety of every business on the job site with Senior Safety & Risk Services Trainer Mark Woodward and Premium Consultation Manager Chonna Patterson.

Safety hazards always seem to be overlooked around the workplace until an incident happens. But what if employers could teach their teams to see and search for safety risks with new eyes? Discover the value of visual literacy with Doug Pontsler, Chairman and Managing Director of the COVE Center of Visual Expertise.

News coverage of workplace violence incidents often leave us wondering what we would have done in the same situation. Learn how the right planning and training can minimize casualties - and even limit potential incidents - with William Flynn, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at The Power of Preparedness.

Employers can teach their teams how to work safety on the job. But what if there were a way to prevent potential injuries before an employee's first day on the job? Discover the benefits of a post-offer employment testing (POET) program with Rocky Newsome, EHS Supervisor for US Tool Group.

Safety rules and processes are vital for a safe workplace. But some employers haven't changed the way they share them in decades. How can they prevent employees from tuning out during these important conversations? Learn how to encourage employees to engage in safety with Kevin Burns, published author and CEO of KevBurns Learning.

In 2017, we featured the St. Louis Zoo in our very first episode. Bringing together guests, staff, and animals - the center of the experience - means zoo safety is a big priority. Discover how safety efforts have evolved in the midst of a global pandemic with Domini Montgomery, Director of Safety and Risk Services for the St. Louis Zoo, and our very first guest.

Company culture is important to today's employees. Many are taking a second look at their work situation. Learn how to create a culture of care to retain the right talent for your business with Len Tenjes, President of the Missouri Chapter of Associated General Contractors of America (AGCMO).

As the demand for goods and services rises, so does the need to work. Many employers turn to longer shifts, but more hours can come with serious safety concerns. Learn how too much time on the job puts employees, and workplace safety, at risk with Brye Lynn, safety educator and creator of The Safety Geek.

Clean air is key to a productive workplace. But it's easy to overlook safety hazards we can't even see. Discover how to improve air quality for your employees with Rhonda Kauffman, Safety and Risk Specialist at Missouri Employers Mutual.

Suicide is a growing problem in construction. The industry has the second-highest rate of suicide amongst all occupations in the U.S. Discover how to support employees who may be struggling with Brandon Anderson, Vice President of the Missouri chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGCMO).

Work comp may seem like just another expense. But it protects your business and team, and is one of the most important investments you'll make. Learn what finding the right policy for you looks like with Christian Delozier, Proactive Business Risk & Insurance Consultant for Mike Keith Insurance, Inc.

Hitting a utility line while digging can result in serious injury and serious costs. 811 is a free service that can help you eliminate safety risks when digging. Discover how one call can prevent costly mistakes with Derek Leffert, Director of External Affairs at Missouri One Call and Executive Director of the Missouri Common Ground Alliance.

We've all had close calls when it comes to safety. In the workplace, these moments are called near misses. Even though they don't cause an accident at the time, we can use these moments of gratitude to teach us the power of prevention - and note the warning they provide. Learn about near misses and the impact they can have on safety with Mark Woodward, Safety and Risk Trainer at Missouri Employers Mutual.

Trauma can affect our ability to think, learn, and manage change. It can also make it hard to relate to others. All of these skills play an important role in employees working safely and efficiently on the job. Discover how to build a trauma-informed workplace and support employees with Randy Grieser, Founder & Chief Vision Officer of ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership and the Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute.

Are your employees empowered to speak up when they see risks on the job? A Stop Work Authority program allows them to step in during unsafe situations. Learn how it can have a positive impact on your business with Rhonda Kauffman, Safety and Risk Specialist at Missouri Employers Mutual.

Trench collapses happen all too often, and can result in serious injury or death. As the construction industry continues to grow, so do the risks involved with trenching. Dig into the safety steps employers should take to keep workers safe with Rick Plocinski, Customer Training Specialist at United Rentals.

Almost 21 million American have at least one addiction. But only 10% of them receive treatment for it. Substance misuse can spill over into the workplace. Learn how to support struggling workers and keep safety in mind with Nicole Dawsey, Executive Director of Prevent+Ed.

Every on-the-job fall is preventable. But they continue to be a leading cause of death in many industries. Learn how to commit to fall protection from OSHA Area Director Bill McDonald during their National Safety Stand-Down week.

Electricity is everywhere. But we often don't think about it until we don't have it - or until an incident occurs. Discover the hidden hazards of electricity and how to prevent injuries with Brett Brenner, President of the Electrical Safety Foundation International.

COVID-19 has been tough for businesses. But newly available vaccines could change that. Learn how employers can support safer workplaces and communities with Ruth Binger, Principal at Danna McKitrick, P.C., a full-service law firm based in St. Louis, MO.

Missouri opened its doors to medical marijuana in 2020. What have we learned after one year of legal use? Catch up on the latest lessons with Ruth Binger, Principal at Dana McKitrick, P.C., a full-service law firm based in St. Louis, MO.

Vehicle crashes are the number one way to die on the job nationwide. Learn how to avoid becoming a statistic with Captain Kevin Kelley of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who shares safe driving tips for your employees.

Falls from heights are one of the leading causes of death in the workplace. The right protection and training are essential to save lives. Prepare your employees to work from heights safety with Thomas Kramer, safety consultant and engineer at LJB, Inc. and president of the International Society for Fall Protection.

Most employees have a consistent work day. But is your team ready for the unexpected? Learn how situational awareness can prevent bad outcomes with Dr. Richard Gasaway, founder of Situational Awareness Matters!™.

A safety manager is an important team member in any industry. But sometimes, the role is given to someone without much safety experience. Greg Zigulis, President of Sixth Sense Safety Solutions, shares three tips to help new safety managers get started.

Safety systems save lives, but some take time and are difficult for employees to use. Discover three ways to improve your safety systems with Miguel Ramos, COO and co-founder of Limble.

Employees face new hazards in winter weather. Karen Hamel, Regulatory Expert and Trainer for Halen Hardy, LLC, shares how to make winter safety a priority by providing the right training and safety essentials.

Overexertion is the leading cause of workplace injuries. Learn how to prevent strains and sprains with Tara Swaney, physical therapist and Work Strategies Coordinator at Select Medical.

Leadership support is the key to creating a workplace safety culture. Clint Bergman, Co-Franchisee of Two Men and a Truck, shares 3 key changes you can make today to put safety first.

Traffic fatalities in Missouri rose by 12% in 2020. Prevent crashes and keep your employees safe on the road using these 4 tips from Nicole Hood of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

About 25% of U.S. workers are over age 55. The aging workforce carries valuable experience and knowledge, but these employees can be at a higher risk for workplace injuries. Kevin Lombardo, CEO of Dorn Companies, discusses how employers can protect their older workers from common risks.

Where there are benefits, fraud is possible. Bill Byington, Senior Special Investigative Unit Specialist at Missouri Employers Mutual, shares strategies for preventing fraud and reporting suspected fraud.

While many were eager to help flatten the COVID-19 curve at first, caution fatigue has started to set in. Safety consultants Joshua Mrozowsky and Rajni Walia of Dekra discuss how the stresses of COVID-19 impact our behavior and how employers can help prevent caution fatigue in the workplace.

The restaurant industry has been seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Carryout and delivery are thriving, and new safety concerns have changed how restaurants operate. Herman Styles and Ben Thies of Colton's Steak House and Grill discuss the challenges restaurants are facing.

Slips, trips, and falls are top causes of workplace injuries. Russell Kendzior, president of the National Floor Safety Institute, discusses common hazards and incident prevention tips.

Did you know that subcontractors can be covered by your workers compensation policy? Premium Consultation Manager Chonna Patterson discusses how to avoid higher premiums and unexpected costs.

COVID-19 has changed workplaces. Should your employees be wearing masks at work to protect themselves and customers? Our expert weighs in.

If an employee is injured on the job, your priority is to get them the right care quickly. Claims expert Steve Summers explains why all employers should have a directed medical care plan, and how to get started.

New hires make up 22% of the workforce but account for 40% of workplace injuries. Why are new employees at higher risk and how can business owners protect them? Our safety expert explains.

An emergency like a pandemic or natural disaster can change the way your business works. A safety expert discusses how companies can help their employees transition safely back to work as communities start to re-open during COVID-19.

Working remotely is more common than ever. Employers rely on technology to keep their businesses running. But when employees handle sensitive data using home or public Wi-Fi networks, your company is exposed to risk. IT Security Manager Tim Myers covers cybersecurity risks and steps employers can take today to protect their data.

Between routine changes and time away from coworkers, working from home can challenge the mental wellness of many employees. Terri Sitrin of New Directions Behavioral Health shares how employers can set employees up for success in the face of some common remote work challenges.

When transportation demands are high, trucking professionals feel increased pressure to drive longer hours and carry heavier loads. Safety expert Mark Woodward discusses how drivers can decrease their risk by avoiding fatigue, reducing stress and ensuring safety comes first during times of high demand.

Working from home can expose employees to new workplace safety risks, like ergonomic injuries, slips, trips and more. Here are a few tips to help your employees avoid injuries while working from home.

The Ladders Last philosophy means using safer alternatives to work at heights, turning to ladders as a last resort. Richard Jones, retired from Turner Construction, discusses why ladders are so dangerous and how employers can get buy-in to reduce ladder use amongst their own employees.

How often should you have safety meetings? What topics should you cover? And how can you keep your employees' attention? Safety training specialist Flint Walton shares his insights and tips.