When tragedy strikes in the workplace, few moments are more sobering than standing in court to defend what went wrong. But what if you could experience those lessons without the pain of a real incident? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with regulatory lawyer and trainer Emma Bowens, who has spent two decades defending organisations in some of the most serious health and safety cases imaginable. Emma reveals the eye-opening realities of what happens after an incident, why legal insight can transform prevention strategies, and how the smallest decisions, made in the heat of crisis, can change everything from sentencing to culture.

With real stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical tools, this discussion bridges the gap between law, leadership and prevention, helping directors and safety professionals think differently about readiness, resilience and responsibility.

Highlights

• The courtroom perspective: How witnessing real cases changes leaders’ mindsets on safety and accountability
• Turning lessons into prevention: Why Emma created immersive mock trials and crisis replay sessions to help organisations learn before disaster strikes
• The first few hours: Decisions made straight after an incident can shape reputation, defence and sentencing outcomes
• Near-misses and culture: What unreported or ignored near-misses reveal about leadership and psychological safety
• Evidence and credibility: Why “doing the right thing” matters more than the perfect paperwork—but why documentation still saves you in court
• Leadership behaviours: The danger of walking past poor practice and what “you get what you tolerate” really means
• Preparedness vs panic: How to build crisis plans that prevent chaos, confusion and poor decisions under pressure
• Upcoming training: Join Emma’s free 45-minute Crisis Replay session on 9 December (12:00–12:45) for a taste of her full half-day course (£149 + VAT). Details and sign-up link: https://lnkd.in/ejYVvUv7

👉 Take action:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/ 
• Connect with Emma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebowens/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/
• Get your free ticket for Risk Europe: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/grcworldforums/1502327/r/risk-europe-slip-safety

Ever felt that health and safety can be, well… a bit dull? Jon Fry thinks so too, and he’s on a mission to change it. From sawmills in mid-Wales to safety consultancy and copywriting, Jon shares how small shifts in tone, humour and empathy can turn safety from a chore into a culture people actually care about. We explore how to communicate with impact, borrow lessons from marketing, and use data, pragmatism and a dash of humanity to make work genuinely safer, and more enjoyable.

Highlights:

• Reframing safety: Making it relevant, engaging and human to boost buy-in and culture
• The power of communication: What safety professionals can learn from marketing and copywriting
• “What’s in it for them”: Why focusing on benefits for others transforms engagement
• Using humour and empathy: How to build trust and break through resistance
• From data to decisions: Why categorisation matters more than counting incidents
• Resilience and pragmatism: Balancing compliance with workable, people-focused solutions
• Simple frameworks: How to hook attention, highlight problems and drive action
• Taking action that sticks: Turning conversations into consistent, lasting behaviour change

👉 Take action:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Jon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonfryehs/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/
• Get your free ticket for Risk Europe: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/grcworldforums/1502327/r/risk-europe-slip-safety

Cyber threats are no longer confined to IT teams, they’re everyone’s business. In this powerful conversation with cybersecurity leader, author and founder of the Insecurity Movement, Jane Frankland, we explore the human side of cyber risk and what leaders can do to protect their organisations, people, and reputations. From high-profile hacks at Marks & Spencer and Jaguar Land Rover to the rise of AI-driven attacks and insider threats, Jane reveals why resilience beats perfection and how to prepare for when, not if, a breach happens.

Highlights

• Behind the Bond: How Jane’s journey from art and design, and a touch of James Bond inspiration, led her to pioneer one of the first female-owned ethical hacking firms.
• High-Profile Lessons: What the recent Marks & Spencer and Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attacks reveal about vulnerabilities, response and responsibility.
• Homegrown Hackers: Why many new attackers are young, UK-based and driven by both money and kudos.
• Insurance Illusions: Why cyber insurance isn’t a safety net, and how organisations remain legally responsible for data protection.
• People Power: How to turn employees from weakest link to strongest shield through tailored, engaging, role-specific training.
• Planning for the Inevitable: Why every leader needs a tested cyber response plan, just like a fire drill.
• The AI Acceleration: How artificial intelligence is supercharging cybercrime, and what “human in the loop” really means.
• Take Action: Jane urges leaders to build cyber literacy, leverage free resources like the UK National Cyber Security Centre’s Board Toolkit, and take advantage of her free educational content on YouTube and LinkedIn.

👉 Take action:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Jane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janefrankland/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/
• Get your free ticket for Risk Europe: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/grcworldforums/1502327/r/risk-europe-slip-safety

How do you take risk assessment from being a paperwork burden to a living, useful tool that actually helps people on the ground? That’s exactly what Phil Clarke has been exploring throughout his diverse career, from military intelligence, through environmental health, to leading safety across complex, multi-site organisations. In this conversation, Phil unpacks his philosophy of making risk assessments dynamic, local, and owned by operational leaders rather than just the safety team. He also shares his “Safety Six” model, insights from his doctoral research, and some practical steps you can take right away.

Highlights:

• From army intelligence to safety leader: lessons in operational risk
• The trap of complexity: why most risk assessments fail to add value
• Local ownership: why supervisors, not safety teams, should lead the process
• Templates vs tailoring: striking the right balance for different sites
• The Safety Six model: communication, localism, AI, review, knowledge, entrepreneur
• Dynamic assessment: making it flexible enough for real-world variation
• Competence and culture: the overlooked foundations of safer work
• Practical first step: focus on the basics before chasing the latest trend

👉 Take action:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipjclarke/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/
• Get free ticket for Risk Europe: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/grcworldforums/1502327/r/risk-europe-website-registration

Why do slips, trips and falls stubbornly remain the number one cause of workplace accidents, even in high-risk industries that are otherwise strong on safety? The answer lies in both human behaviour and practical action, and that’s exactly what Daryl Wake of Dekra and I explore together.

Daryl brings fresh behavioural data gathered across industries, showing how and why people really slip, trip and fall, and the critical role of leadership and culture. I then take the baton to share a roadmap of proven, practical steps you can implement immediately to cut incidents, defend claims, and build a safer, stronger organisation.

Highlights include:

• Behavioural safety insights: why a few key habits cause most accidents
• Data in action: patterns behind 7,500+ workplace observations
• Leadership’s role: culture, influence and frontline engagement
• Practical tools: how to prevent slips and trips in real-world settings
• The five mistakes organisations make: and how to avoid them
• Trips vs slips: why they’re different and need different solutions
• Measuring risk: the science of slip testing and pendulum values
• Free resources: download my book Prevent Slip Accidents and take the slip risk scorecard self-assessment

👉 Take action:

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

Slips, trips and falls may sound like minor mishaps, but they are a silent epidemic causing devastating injuries, financial losses and even deaths every single day. Entrepreneur and author Thom Disch joins me to expose why falls are one of the most underestimated risks in our lives and workplaces – and what we can do to change that. From psychology to products, from boardroom buy-in to bedtime stories, this conversation unpacks practical ways to stop the slip.

Highlights include:

• Falls are a hidden epidemic: 14% of deaths in the USA
• Why we underestimate risk: “that’s not me” mentality
• Built environment impact: floors, stairs and surfaces
• Safety culture shift: awareness over urgency
•   Technology’s role: training tools and distractions
• Stop the Slip book: stories, stats and strategies
• Don’t Fall, Franny: teaching children safety early
• Practical tools: HandyTreads solutions and resources

👉 Take action:

• Explore slip-prevention tools: https://handiproducts.com/
• Get Thom’s book Stop the Slip on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stop-Slip-Reducing-Slips-Trips/dp/0998354910
• Connect with Thom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomdisch/
• 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/

Falls are often seen as “just accidents” or an inevitable part of ageing, but the reality is far more serious, costly, and preventable. I sat down with Jules Robinson, Occupational Safety and Health and Falls Manager at RoSPA, to dig into the truth behind falls, the misconceptions that hold us back, and the impact of their Fall Fighter campaign that’s helping communities, organisations, and individuals save lives.

This conversation shines a light on why falls matter to all of us, whether at work, at home, or in our communities, and shares clear steps we can all take to make a difference.

Highlights include:

• Jules’ journey: from marine conservation to fall prevention leadership
• Why falls remain the No.1 cause of accidental injury worldwide
• The biggest misconception: “falls are just part of ageing”
• A shocking 90% increase in fall-related deaths over the last decade
• £4.4 billion: the hidden annual cost of falls to UK society
• How Fall Fighter works: free training, practical home safety tips, lifestyle awareness
• Success stories: 69% reduction in falls through targeted interventions
• How to get involved: access the free toolkit, videos, and resources at RoSPA’s Fall Prevention Hub

👉 Take action:

• Download the free  Fall Fighter toolkit: https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/falls-prevention/professional-falls-advice/falls-and-their-impact-on-social-housing
• Join in Falls Prevention Awareness Week (15–22 September) and raise awareness in your organisation
• Connect with Jules on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-robinson-oceanjr/
• 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/

Slips are the hidden danger we walk over every single day. They cause more major injuries than machinery accidents or falls from height, cost the UK over £1 billion annually, and devastate lives, yet most organisations still rely on yellow signs and luck. That changes with Sliptember: a movement to raise awareness, share proven science-backed methods, and help you take real action. This month, I’m giving you the tools, insights, and even prizes to stop slips, protect people, and build safer, stronger organisations.

Highlights:

•       Stanley May’s tragic story: why slips are never “just accidents”
•       Slips by the numbers: 32% of all workplace injuries, 300,000+ hospital admissions yearly
•       The CHIMES framework: contamination, heel, individual, maintenance, environment, surface
•       Science vs. signs: why pendulum testing beats yellow cones every time
•       Slipology in action: clients achieving 57%+ fewer incidents
•       How you can join Sliptember: scorecard, free workshop, and daily insights
•       Share & win: free book plus entry into a draw for professional slip tests worth £595 each
•       The bigger picture: from cutting claims to boosting morale and trust

👉 Take action:

• Try the Slip Prevention Scorecard: https://slipsafety.co.uk/slip-prevention-scorecard/
• Register for the free 90-minute Slipology Workshop: https://webclass.slipologybook.com
• 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/    

How do you get people not just to nod along, but to genuinely change their behaviour? Neuroscience might hold the key. In this conversation with Jo Britton known as the CEO Whisperer, we uncover how our brains are wired, why change feels uncomfortable, and how leaders can tap into practical, brain-based tools to influence culture and safety performance for the long term.

Highlights include:

• Why the brain seeks comfort: understanding resistance to change
• Fight, flight, freeze: how stress shows up in safety contexts
• The SCARF model: status, certainty, autonomy, relatedness, fairness
• Frankenstein vs Einstein Brain: shifting from stress to clarity
• How awareness transforms leadership influence
• Simple tools to regulate yourself and your teams
• Making safety rules feel fair, relevant, and human
• Practical steps for embedding cultural change in organisations

 Actions:

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

Trust is the invisible thread that holds safety cultures together, without it, even the most well-meaning initiatives can crumble.

In this conversation with Clive Lloyd, psychologist, consultant, and bestselling author of Next Generation Safety Leadership: From Compliance to Care, we dig into why trust is the true currency of leadership. From heartbreaking stories of miners coping with tragedy, to practical ways leaders can show they care, this episode uncovers what really drives safer, more resilient organisations.

Highlights include:

• The moment Clive realised safety was about people, not procedures: a fatality in mining
•   Trust as leadership’s true currency: integrity, competence, care
• Why demonstrating care matters more than simply feeling it
• How mistrust derails even the best safety programmes
• The “you can’t fix a secret” principle: psychological safety in action
• Why psychosocial safety must start in the boardroom
• Red flags that trust is eroding within a team or organisation
• Restorative leadership after incidents: pausing, caring, and learning instead of blaming

Actions:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/ 
• Connect with Clive on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-lloyd-3a3727a/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/