Combustible dust hazards can develop in processes and materials that may initially appear ordinary. Recognizing the conditions that contribute to a fire, flash fire, or explosion is an important part of protecting workers and facilities. 

In this Season 5 episode of AIHA’s Healthier Workplaces Show, host Alejandro Castillo speaks with Dr. Vahid Ebadat, President of Stonehouse Process Safety, Inc., and co-author of AIHA’s Dust Explosion Hazards: Identification and Mitigation Strategies online course. 

Dr. Ebadat has worked as a process safety consultant for the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, paper and wood, and other process industries around the world for more than 30 years. His areas of expertise include dust explosions, static electricity, gas and vapor flammability, and thermal decomposition and self-heating hazard assessment and control. 

During the conversation, Dr. Ebadat explains what makes combustible dust a significant workplace hazard and what OEHS professionals should consider when evaluating a potentially hazardous process. He also discusses common misconceptions, laboratory tests including Kst, Pmax, MIE, MIT, and LIT, and the changing standards landscape surrounding NFPA 660. 

The episode also examines how containment, ventilation, explosion venting, suppression, and isolation can work together as part of a broader mitigation strategy. 

Listen to learn more about identifying combustible dust hazards, understanding relevant test data, and selecting strategies to reduce the risk of dust fires and explosions. 

Topics include combustible dust, dust explosions, process safety, industrial hygiene, dust hazard identification, Kst, Pmax, minimum ignition energy, ignition temperature, NFPA 660, explosion venting, suppression, isolation, ventilation, and worker protection. 

This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired on Nov. 13, 2025.

In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Industrial Hygienist Donna M. Doganiero, CIH.

Donna is a distinguished occupational and environmental health professional with a career spanning more than five decades in industrial hygiene. In 1981, she began a long, impactful career with the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, formerly the U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, advancing from field project officer to director of occupational health sciences. With the Army, she managed large, multidisciplinary programs in industrial hygiene, ergonomics, radiation safety, vector-borne diseases, and medical safety assessments during weapon system development. Donna served as the industrial hygiene consultant to the Army Office of the Surgeon General on technical and policy issues.

Among her many honors, Donna received the Commander’s Award for Civil Service Excellence for her participation in the response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

We’re going to talk about Donna’s more than 50 years in OEHS and learn how the OEHS field has changed over her career.

In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Reginald J. Richards, DrPH, CIH. 

Reg is a semi-retired occupational health behavioral scientist. He was previously the global EHS manager for occupational health at Meta Platform and a safety and wellness leader at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT theme parks. He has also worked at OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration and served as an environmental sciences officer in the U.S. Army.  

At AIHA Connect 2026, Reg presented an educational session “Imposter Syndrome in Science and Safety: Confronting the Inner Critic.” This educational session explored imposter syndrome, its causes and contributing factors, and how professionals can recognize triggers and develop strategies to move forward with confidence.  

Today, we're talking to Reg about his experience presenting at the conference, his insights and takeaways, and the professional benefits of speaking at AIHA Connect. 

Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.  

In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Lester Claravall. 

In his nearly three decades with the Oklahoma Department of Labor, Lester has been a driving force for protecting children in the workplace. He has pioneered partnerships, programs, and publications to educate employers, educators, parents, and teenagers about workplace rights and safety.  

Lester played a key role in developing the award-winning game "Paying Attention Pays," which is now used to teach workplace rights and safety in schools throughout Oklahoma and North Carolina., He also launched the nationally-recognized video contest "Speak Out for Workplace Safety," which empowers students in Oklahoma High Schools to create public service announcements promoting job safety.  

Lester is the 2026 recipient of the Alice Hamilton Award for Social Responsibility. This award distinguishes individuals who have recognized and addressed the diverse needs of the workforce by developing and advancing the practice of social welfare and responsibility through public service, community service, and non-traditional social reform, thereby making a major impact on and improvement of public welfare. 

Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.  

In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Toxicologist Yves Alarie, PhD, DABT, ATS.

Yves is the founder of the invention RD50, also known as the Alarie Test. The RD50 test is an experimental method used to assess the concentration of a substance that induces a 50% reduction in breathing frequency in male Swiss-Webster mice. It is primarily used to evaluate sensory irritation of the upper respiratory tract and is considered for risk assessment in occupational health.

Today’s episode is part of our Luminary series. We’re going to talk about Yves Alarie’s 40-plus years in OEHS and learn about how the OEHS industry has changed since he started his career.

Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.

In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Industrial Hygienist Dr. Morton Corn, PhD, CSP.

Dr. Corn is a distinguished leader in industrial hygiene whose career spans academia, research, and national policy. In 1975, he made history by becoming the first industrial hygienist to be appointed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, marking a significant moment for the profession and its role in shaping workplace safety standards.  

As a Fellow of AIHA, he has been an active voice in shaping the profession and supporting its continued growth. Throughout his career, Dr. Corn has been especially valued as a mentor and educator, helping guide the next generation of professionals while reinforcing the critical role of industrial hygiene in protecting public health. 

Today’s episode is part of our Luminary series. We’re going to talk about Dr. Morton Corn’s 45-plus years in OEHS and learn about how the OEHS industry has changed since he started his career.  

Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.

In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Industrial Hygienist Dr. James Johnson Ph. D, CIH, QEP. 

Dr. Johnson is a retired industrial hygienist and qualified environmental professional with more than five decades of experience in occupational safety, health, and respiratory protection. He has contributed extensively to national safety standards, research, and consulting related to hazardous materials and personal protective equipment. Since 1978, he has operated JSJ and Associates, a consulting firm focused on occupational safety and health issues, with particular emphasis on respiratory protective equipment programs and the effective use of personal protective equipment in complex work environments. 

Today’s episode is part of our Luminary series. We’re going to talk about Dr. Johnson’s 40-plus years in OEHS and learn about how the OEHS industry has changed since he started his career.  

Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.

In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview the developer of the "Legionella and Other Waterborne Pathogens in Building Water Systems: Fundamentals for Technicians" course, Dr. David Krause, PhD, MSPH, and CIH.

As a former member of the ACGIH Bioaerosols Committee and past chair of the AIHA Indoor Environmental Quality Committee, Dr. Krause has published research on novel control methods to prevent Legionella in building water systems by reducing dissolved oxygen in building hot water systems. 

Today, we’re here to learn more about “Legionella and Other Waterborne Pathogens in Building Water Systems: Fundamentals for Technicians”—the first level of the Legionella and Other Waterborne Pathogens Certificate Program.  

Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.

In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Industrial Hygienist and Certified Safety Professional Dr. Fred Toca, PhD, CIH, CSP, FAIHA.

Dr. Toca has long been recognized as a pioneer and expert in the field of environmental health, on matters such as industrial hygiene management, chemical exposure, toxicology, regulatory interpretation, exposure monitoring, and so much more. From 1989-1990, Dr. Toca served as the first African American President of AIHA and in 2001 he was named an AIHA fellow.

Today’s episode is part of our Luminary series. We’re going to talk about Dr. Toca’s 40-plus years in OEHS and learn about how the OEHS industry has changed since he started his career.

Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.

In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview "AI for OSH professionals" course developer Dr. Darabi. 

Dr. Darabi serves as Professor and Department Head of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, as well as Professor of Occupational Safety, Environmental, and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago. 

Dr. Darabi, developed the first and only course focused on Artificial Intelligence in Occupational Safety and Health. Today, we’re here to explore why this four-week course is valuable for industry professionals who want to better understand the role and influence of AI in occupational safety and health systems. 

Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.