What if we could get more engagement and buy-in to prevent “common” risks like manual handling?

In this thought-provoking episode, I’m joined by Gareth Milner, a seasoned expert in musculoskeletal risk management. With a compelling personal journey shaped by injury, Gareth shares transformative strategies to revolutionise workplace safety. Discover how engaging senior leadership, leveraging proactive prevention, and challenging traditional practices can create safer work environments. Tune in for invaluable insights that will leave you rethinking your approach to safety and risk management.

Episode Highlights:

• Gareth's personal journey: From osteopathy to becoming a leading voice in musculoskeletal risk management.
• The CEO's wallet: Strategies to engage leadership and secure safety investments.
• Critical gaps: Addressing knowledge deficits in manual handling practices.
• Proactive prevention: The power of early intervention and upstream thinking.
• Workforce engagement: Leveraging bespoke training and physical therapy.
• Challenging the status quo: Gareth's innovative approaches to improve manual handling techniques.
• Impactful tools: Insights into Gareth’s book Sorry, We’re Closed and its actionable strategies.
• Future focus: The importance of shifting organisations from reactive to preventative safety practices.

Actions:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
•   Connect with Gareth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gareth-milner-osteopathic-solutions/ 
•   Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

What does the future hold for the safety profession, and how can we rise to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow?

In this end-of-the-year Safety Roundtable episode, I lead a dynamic and thought-provoking discussion on ways the safety profession can improve. With participants from diverse backgrounds sharing candid insights, this open dialogue dives into key issues like training, public perception, and professional development. Whether you're a seasoned safety leader or new to the field, this episode will leave you inspired to rethink and redefine your role in advancing safety.

Episode Highlights:

• Two perspectives on improvement: Internal advancements vs. external perception shifts.
• Training vs. education: The value of moving from knowledge delivery to behavioural change.
• Role clarity: Addressing confusion around safety professional responsibilities across industries.
• Competence frameworks: The need for clear, standardised qualifications and skill pathways.
• Public perception: Tackling stigma and embedding safety into organisational culture.
• Ethics in safety: Prioritising societal value over organisational loyalty.
• Specialisation vs. generalisation: Balancing core expertise with collaborative problem-solving.
• Return on investment: Demonstrating safety's impact on business performance and productivity.
• Safety as a business driver: Shifting the narrative to position safety as a strategic imperative.

Actions:

•   Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

Is your organisation prepared for the evolving landscape of fire safety? From the devastating impact of Grenfell to the rise of lithium-ion battery fires, the risks are constantly shifting.

Join me as we explore the critical issues and innovative solutions with fire safety expert Steve Wilcock, a former firefighter and app developer. Discover how to stay ahead of the curve and protect your business.

Highlights:

• Steve's Unique Background: Ex-Royal Navy engineer, shaping his approach to fire safety.
• The Grenfell Inquiry: Long-lasting impacts on risk perception and legislation.
• Misjudging Fire Risks: Common pitfalls of organisations and individuals.
• Complacency and Shortcuts: The dangers of complacency in fire safety.
• Emerging Threats: The escalating danger of lithium-ion battery fires.
• The Marshall AI App: A revolutionary app for streamlined fire safety management.
• Effective Training: Key to mitigating risk and ensuring preparedness.
• Practical Solutions: Simple yet vital steps for improving fire safety.

Actions:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-wilcock/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

Are you feeling lost in the competitive safety job market?

Join me as I sit down with Laura Aucott, Associate Director at The HSE Recruitment Network, for an interactive Safety Roundtable discussion on navigating the competitive health and safety job market. Laura shares invaluable insights and practical tips to help you stand out from the crowd and secure your next role. Even if you’re not actively searching, this episode is packed with advice you can implement to level up your safety career in the new year.

Highlights:

• The 2024 Safety Job Market: Booming but competitive.
• Entry-Level Strategies: Showcase transferable skills & network strategically.
• Senior-Level Focus: Soft skills are key: communication & stakeholder management.
• Professional Accreditations: Valuable, but experience is paramount.
• Salary Expectations: A disconnect exists; know your worth.
• Sustainability's Rise: A growing specialisation within safety.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Broaden recruitment strategies for a more inclusive process.
• Interview Success: Focus on competency-based answers & ask for feedback.
• Personal Branding: Build your online presence to attract headhunters.
• CV Optimisation: Tailor your CV to each role; keep it concise & impactful.

Actions:

•          Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
•          Connect with Laura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraaucott/
•          Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

How does personality shape safety outcomes in the workplace?

In this captivating episode of the Safety and Risk Success Podcast, Mark Wilkinson delves into the psychology of safety. With decades of experience and thought-provoking insights, Mark reveals how understanding personality can transform organisational safety cultures, influence risk perception, and drive success. Whether you're a safety professional or an industry leader, this episode is packed with practical advice and compelling stories.

Highlights:

• Personality and safety dynamics: How personality impacts individual and team safety behaviours.
• Risk perception: Why people assess risk differently and how to manage it effectively.
• Transforming safety culture: Strategies for embedding safety into organisational values.
• Leadership’s role: The influence of leaders on shaping safety attitudes.
• Tools for understanding personality: Leveraging profiling tools to enhance safety performance.
• Practical case studies: Real-world examples of improving safety through personality insights.

Actions:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwilkinsonofficial/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/
• Please click the link for the discount code and the steps for E-Colors Assessment: https://slipsafety.co.uk/unlock-your-complimentary-e-colours-discovery-premium-report/

Ever wondered what insurance companies really think about safety—or how they're shifting from merely covering accidents to actively preventing them?

I sat down with Robert Beesley from AXA XL to get the inside scoop on how insurers evaluate risk, support clients’ safety culture, and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions about their role in workplace safety. This conversation just might change how you think about the power of insurance in creating safer, healthier workplaces!

Episode Highlights:

• Role of a Casualty Underwriter: Robert’s view on managing risk by underwriting legal liability and partnering with clients for safer workplaces.
• Common Misconceptions: Breaking down the myths about insurance companies being solely reactive rather than proactive safety partners.
• Safety as a “Virtuous Circle”: How proactive safety measures contribute to both fewer claims and better employee morale.
• Assessing Client Safety Culture: AXA XL’s approach to evaluating a client’s safety standards using both data and direct interactions.
• Industry-Specific Risks: A focus on sectors with higher inherent risks, including construction, agriculture, and roles exposed to the public.
• Long-Term Safety Benefits: How a strong safety culture leads to fewer claims and fosters continuous improvement.
• Emerging Trends in Safety and Insurance: The rising relevance of mental health and its role in physical injury claims, alongside new technologies like AI in safety practices.
• Data’s Role in Risk Assessment: Utilising historical data to identify trends, with a critical approach to understanding the stories behind the numbers.
• Innovative Safety Program – AXA XL’s Casualty Risk Assist: A breakdown of AXA XL’s comprehensive program that supports clients through tools like incident logging, slip safety, and workplace wellness.
• Impact of Economic and Social Factors on Safety: Exploring how factors like financial insecurity and COVID-19 have influenced workplace accidents and claims.

Actions:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-beesley-5654b316/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

Ever wondered how a sector like aviation, known for its high stakes and meticulous planning, manages risk and maintains safety?

Jim Holland, an industry veteran with decades of experience in both military and commercial aviation, reveals the secrets behind this complex world, offering invaluable insights for professionals across all sectors. This episode of the Safety and Risk Success podcast dives deep into the culture, practices, and challenges that make aviation a leader in risk management.

Highlights

• Balancing Operations & Safety: Military aviation is a high-stakes environment where operational success and safety must be intricately balanced.
• Risk Appetite is Contextual: Risk appetite isn't a personal attribute but a decision based on a clear understanding of the context and potential consequences.
• Aviation's Safety Culture: The aviation industry, due to the inherent dangers involved, has a strong safety culture built on continuous learning and process improvement.
• The Power of Openness & Honesty: A key to aviation's success is its willingness to openly discuss mistakes, analyze incidents, and learn from every experience.
• The Impact of Technology: AI and autonomous technology are transforming aviation, with the potential to further improve safety while pushing the boundaries of innovation.
• Global Collaboration: Despite national differences, aviation operates on a global scale, with a shared language and standardized practices that promote international cooperation.
• Learning from Others: Aviation's commitment to continuous learning and improvement can provide valuable lessons for organisations in all sectors.
• The Importance of a Just Culture: Shifting away from a blame culture toward a just culture, where errors are treated as learning opportunities, is crucial for fostering safety and innovation.

Actions:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holland-ja/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

What if everything you thought you knew about mental health and resilience was about to be disrupted?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Safety and Risk Success Podcast, I sit down with mental health consultant, psychotherapist, and coach Petra Velzeboer. Together, we dive into Petra’s incredible journey—how her challenging beginnings ignited her passion for disrupting traditional approaches to wellbeing. From personal resilience to reshaping workplace cultures, Petra’s story is packed with insights that organisations and individuals alike can benefit from. Join us to uncover actionable strategies for building resilience, enhancing mental wellness, and driving meaningful change in any organisation.

Highlights:

• Petra’s Background: From a cult upbringing to resilience coach.
• Resilience & Mindset: Taking personal responsibility for mental health.
• Impact of Digital Health: Digital disruption’s toll on mental wellbeing.
• Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces: Cultivating environments of safety and openness.
• Suicide Awareness: Importance of normalising conversations on mental health.
• Workplace Inclusivity: Addressing ostracism and fostering belonging.
• Presenteeism & Productivity: Tackling the hidden costs of showing up without performing.
• Actionable Wellbeing: Simple, sustainable steps for mental health that everyone can adopt.

Actions:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Petra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-velzeboer/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

What if the biggest obstacle to workplace safety isn’t the machinery, but the culture?

In this eye-opening episode, we pull back the curtain on the manufacturing industry with expert Chris Newson from Make UK. Discover the surprising truths behind safety in one of the UK's most high-risk sectors, and learn how the same strategies can transform safety in any organisation—regardless of the industry you're in. Ready to rethink safety from the ground up?

Episode Highlights:

• Chris's Personal Journey: How a significant incident 20 years ago sparked Chris’s passion for health and safety.
• Pressure vs. Safety: The delicate balance between meeting tight production deadlines and ensuring worker safety.
• Make UK’s Role: How this trade organisation supports manufacturing safety, including policy advocacy and consultancy services.
• Manufacturing Safety Stats: Key figures on manufacturing-related injuries and fatalities, highlighting where the sector stands.
• The Safety Culture Challenge: Moving beyond compliance to embed true safety culture within manufacturing environments.
• Leadership & Behaviour: The critical role of leadership in driving safety behaviours and fostering a proactive safety culture.
• Success Stories: Real-world examples of companies transforming their safety performance by focusing on culture and leadership.
• Emerging Technologies: How AI and automation are changing the landscape of risk management in manufacturing.
• Lessons for All Sectors: What non-manufacturing industries can learn from manufacturing’s process-driven approach to safety.

Actions:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-newson-beng-hons-cfiosh-piema-7b9a3734/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

What if the way you think about risk is all wrong?

In this eye-opening episode of the Safety and Risk Success podcast, Christian Harris is joined by Carla Crocombe, founder of Safety Rocks, to challenge the way we perceive and manage risk. Discover why our instincts often fail us when it comes to safety and learn how rethinking risk perception can help you close the gap between awareness and action. Whether you're a safety professional or just curious about human behaviour, this episode will change the way you look at risk management forever.

Highlights:

• What is risk perception?: How individuals assess risk daily, often subconsciously.
• Fast thinking vs. logic: Why quick decisions can lead to misjudging risks.
• Human nature and risk: How stress, illness, and emotions distort our view of risk.
• Risk appetite in organisations: Balancing individual perceptions with organisational goals.
• The impact of complacency: Why repetitive tasks lower risk awareness over time.
• Social influence on risk: How group dynamics shape safety culture.
• Educating on biases: Helping people understand cognitive shortcuts and biases.
• Real-world consequences: The importance of making risk personal to improve engagement.
• Building safety culture: How trust and tenacity are key to influencing safer behaviours.

Actions:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Carla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-crocombe-833aa460/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

Resources:

• The Monty Hall Problem/Dilemma: https://youtu.be/9vRUxbzJZ9Y?si=fGf9Z7jV6bsT9X34
• John Edward Terrell: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/mono/10.4324/9781003013761-5/great-human-high-five-advantage-john-edward-terrell-gabriel-stowe-terrell  (This is brilliant) Denying to the grave - why we ignore that science will save us - Sara E Gorman: https://academic.oup.com/book/41192
• Website: www.safetyrocks.co.uk
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SafetyRocksLimited?sub_confirmation=1