Safety Heroes Podcast With Mousa Yassin

Declan Davis isn’t just leading safety from the top—he’s walked the path from the site to the boardroom. As Health and Safety Director at Ferrovial, Declan brings a deeply human approach to leadership, shaped by years of hands-on experience in the field. In this episode of The Safety Heroes Podcast, he reflects on his journey from site engineer to safety director, sharing how his passion for connecting with frontline teams has become the foundation for everything he does.

Declan talks candidly about the moment he realised traditional approaches to safety—long documents, top-down processes, and complex systems—weren’t working for the people most at risk. That moment sparked a shift toward humanising safety: making it simpler, more personal, and rooted in the real experiences of workers on site. He explains how this philosophy drives his adoption of tools like immersive learning, AI-powered training, and multilingual communication strategies that break down barriers and build trust.

One particularly powerful part of the conversation explores the emotional power of storytelling in safety training—how placing a worker in a simulated incident, even virtually, can create anchor moments that stick for months and shape real-world decisions. Declan and Mousa discuss the neuroscience behind memory and retention, and why the combination of technology and empathy is such a game-changer for the industry.

They also reflect on how safety teams can bring frontline workers along the innovation journey—not just as end-users, but as co-creators and champions of change. Declan shares practical insights from his own experience: how to nurture buy-in, how to find internal champions, and how to scale solutions across a global, multilingual workforce without losing the human touch.

Whether you’re a safety leader, technologist, or someone passionate about improving workplace culture, this episode is a masterclass in what’s possible when you blend heart, strategy, and innovation. It’s a call to reimagine the future of safety—one that starts with people, and scales with purpose.

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If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa, today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. 

Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected]. 

In this powerful episode of The Safety Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Steff Williams, Director of Safety for Sonoco Europe and APAC. From his humble beginnings on a farm on the west coast of Scotland to leading safety for over 25,000 employees across more than 300 sites globally, Steff shares how his early values of hard work and care for others shaped his people-first approach to safety. He opens up about his “why”—a deep-rooted drive to prevent serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) in the workplace—and why he believes so many of these incidents are still tragically preventable with basic, intentional safety controls.

Steff and Mousa explore what meaningful safety leadership looks like, how to shift focus from checking boxes to truly protecting lives, and why every worker’s voice matters. From tackling high-risk exposures like confined spaces and forklift interactions to building cultures of trust where operators feel empowered to speak up, Steff delivers insights that resonate across industries. Whether you’re in safety or simply care about people, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to lead with purpose and drive real change.

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If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa, today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. 

Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected].

Send us a message!

If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa, today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. 

Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected]. 

In this episode of The Safety Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Kate Donovan, a passionate environmental advocate and senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Kate shares eye-opening insights on the intersections between environmental law, public health, and corporate accountability, challenging the way we think about sustainability and the role of businesses in shaping a cleaner, safer future.

From the truth about plastic waste to the responsibility of corporations vs. consumers, Kate unpacks some of the biggest environmental challenges we face today. She explains why recycling alone isn’t the solution, how toxic materials in everyday products impact our health, and why stronger policies—not just individual action—are crucial for meaningful change.

We dive into the growing concern over microplastics—tiny plastic particles that have been found in our oceans, food, and even human bodies—highlighting the long-term health risks they pose. Kate also breaks down the dangers of PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ which have contaminated drinking water supplies and everyday products, exposing millions to harmful toxins. She explains how these chemicals persist in the environment, the regulatory gaps that allow them to remain in use, and the urgent need for action to protect public health.

Beyond the risks, Kate offers a forward-thinking perspective on how businesses, governments, and individuals can push for meaningful change. We also discuss the role of leadership in sustainability, emphasizing how the best organizations integrate environmental responsibility into their business strategy, culture, and decision-making.

Follow or connect with Kate Donovann on LinkedIn. 

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If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa, today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. 

Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected]. 

In this compelling episode of The Safety Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Claus Rose, Managing Director of SafeSteps24, to explore how safety can become an instinctive part of our daily work routines. Claus shares his eye-opening insights on why traditional change management fails 70% of the time and how organizations can move from simply following compliance checklists to truly embedding safety into behavior. He draws powerful parallels with military training, emphasizing that just as soldiers rely on muscle memory in critical situations, workplaces should cultivate safety habits that become second nature.

Claus delves into the concept of “muscle memory” for safety—a transformational approach where safety isn’t something to be consciously enforced, but automatically executed. He discusses his journey from working on high-stakes IPO preparations to launching SafeSteps24, an innovative program that blends behavioral psychology, leadership development, and EHS strategies. His insights reveal how the right combination of personal change, practical tools, and data-driven feedback can create lasting improvements in safety culture.

Listeners will also gain a deeper understanding of how technology, particularly machine learning and AI, is reshaping safety practices by identifying risks before they materialize. Whether you’re a safety leader or an operational professional, Claus’s vision for transforming safety culture is both inspiring and actionable.

Tune in to learn how to drive change from the front line and build a culture where safety is not just a policy—but a way of life.

Follow or connect with Claus Rose on LinkedIn. 

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If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa, today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. 

Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected]. 

What does it mean to truly make safety personal? In this episode of The Safety Heroes Podcast, Bridget Todd, Global Head of Enterprise Health & Safety at Baker Hughes, shares how safety isn’t just about compliance—it’s about people, families, and the real-life impact of every workplace decision.

Bridget discusses the ‘Make Safety Personal’ initiative, a campaign designed to reinforce that safety is about who you go home to at the end of the day. She highlights how emotional connections, storytelling, and leadership commitment can drive engagement in ways that traditional training often fails to achieve.

The conversation explores leadership’s role in fostering psychological safety, how to build a strong Stop Work culture, and why great safety leaders embrace ‘chronic unease’—constantly questioning what risks might be going unnoticed. Bridget also discusses the evolving role of technology in safety and how organizations can balance innovation with frontline adoption.

She shares a deeply personal moment that changed her perspective on safety forever—a reminder that behind every job is a life that must be protected.

Follow or connect with Bridget Todd on LinkedIn. 

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If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa, today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. 

Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected]. 

The G+ Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation is a groundbreaking voluntary organization at the forefront of driving change in safety across the offshore wind industry. In this episode, Mousa sits down with two pivotal members of the G+ board: Kate Harvey, General Manager, and David Griffiths, Chair of the Board of Directors. 

They share their mission, passion, and pioneering work to develop critical safety resources and standards in this fast-growing industry to ensure every worker returns home safely. Learn about offshore life-saving rules, the critical importance of harmonizing safety standards across the globe, and the data-driven incident analyses that steer the development of new, essential safety technologies and resources. Discover how David, Kate, and the rest of the G+ board are tackling the challenges faced by technicians and contractors on the ground. Alongside the importance of continued cross-sector collaboration and collective learning and the need for engagement from frontline workers to power industry change. 

Find out more about the work of G+ on their website, including:

• The latest edition of their incident data report
• Good practice guidelines
• Safe by Design workshops for supervisors
• Wind Turbine Safety Rules
• Signposting 
• And many more resources for safe Offshore work

Follow or connect with David and Kate on LinkedIn. 

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If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa, today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. 

Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected]. 

In this episode, Mousa sits down with Arijit Paul, a seasoned HSE leader with over 25 years of experience in the energy industry. Currently serving as the Director of Practices at SLB, Arijit shares his insights into energy transition, sustainability, and digital transformation.

From life on the front lines of oilfield operations to shaping a global culture of safety and innovation, Arijit discusses how his experiences have shaped his passion for human performance principles and their role in empowering teams.

Discover how Arijit overcame challenges in high-risk environments, the lessons learned from a life-changing incident, and the tools and technologies shaping the future of safety in the energy sector. 

Whether you’re an industry professional or a curious listener, this episode is packed with valuable insights on leadership, resilience, and creating impactful change.

Follow or connect with Arijit Paul on Linkedin. 

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If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa, today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. 

Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected]. 

In this episode, Mousa sits down with Mick Breet, Director of Health, Safety, and Wellbeing for Europe at Danone, to discuss his 17-year experience in the field and his passion for the human element of safety. 

Listen as Mick shares the importance of mindfulness in high-stress environments and how it can empower frontline workers to stay present, focused, and, most importantly, safe. He emphasizes the value of understanding safety from a worker’s perspective by listening to their needs on the job and how well-designed, relevant safety programs—like his Stop Think Act campaign—help bridge the gap between corporate policies and real-world safety needs. Get Mick’s firsthand insights into the shared truths of safety leadership across every industry he has worked in and the lessons he’s learned along the way—including a Navy SEALs’ mindfulness technique and how gamification can boost safety engagement. 

From an aspiring police officer to Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing for Europe at Danone, learn more about how Mick has forged a career in HSE and created safer working environments for thousands of frontline workers.

Follow or connect with Mick Breet on LinkedIn. 

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If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa, today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. 

Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected]. 

It’s been one whole year of Safety Heroes, and what better way to celebrate than to welcome our first-ever guest back to the studio to reflect on a year of inspiring safety conversations?  

In this week’s episode, Mousa is joined by Malcolm Staves, Global VP of Health and Safety at L’Oreal, to look back and analyze the key themes that have emerged from the dozens of conversations we’ve had over the past year. From the power of honest, face-to-face conversations with frontline teams to the critical role of leadership in shaping safety culture, they get to the heart of what it takes to build healthier, safer workplaces.

Exploring the importance of creating meaningful communities within the safety industry, fostering collaboration in safety across every sector, and ensuring lessons learned reach the people who need to know about them most. This episode goes beyond celebration—it’s an explorative reflection on what it takes to drive cultural and operational change in safety and what’s in store for next year and beyond in building the community Safety Heroes was created to.

Find out more about Malcolm’s industry-leading conference and community Safety on the Edge—tickets are available now.

Follow or connect with Malcolm on LinkedIn. 

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If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa, today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. 

Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected]. 

In this week’s episode, Mousa sat down with Ben Legg, an HSEQ expert with nearly 30 years of experience in construction and support services from the UK to the Middle East. He shared how he challenges the traditional safety paradigms, advocating for leaders to engage in real conversations with the workforce to bridge the gap between policy and practice. Throughout the discussion, Ben shared the lessons he’s learned about creating impactful safety cultures by empowering frontline workers and moving away from top-down, compliance-only approaches to HSE.

Tune in to get Ben’s perspective on the importance of building trust and curiosity, asking the right questions, and leveraging technology that reduces friction rather than creating digital clutter from safety training and procedure material. Explore the critical role of leaders and the need for them to have a firsthand understanding of the dangers their frontline workers face to ensure they can address those hazards head-on and provide a safer working environment faster and more effectively.

Listen to Ben’s take on safety leadership and engaging your team.  

Follow or connect with Ben Legg on LinkedIn. 

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If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa, today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. 

Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected].