In this episode, we’re conducting a thorough investigation of the different theories and frameworks Safety professionals can adopt to keep their co-workers safe.

There’s been a palpable shift in attitudes towards workplace safety over recent years, with multiple more-human-centred approaches emerging. But their key differences and relative effectiveness often polarize the safety profession.

We’ve compiled a collection of clips from 16 of our previous guests to help define the the different approaches, including:

• Safety Differently
• New View Safety
• Human and Organizational Performance (HOP)
• Critical Risk Management
• High-Reliability Organization (HRO) framework
• Behavior-Based Safety

And also bring some clarity to the ongoing debate about which philosophy is best.

Featured guests (in order of appearance):

Pam Walaski (Episode 66): Changing attitudes to Safety

Josh Bryant (Episode 26): The 3 key principles of Safety Differently

Moni Hogg (Episode 39): Defining New View Safety?

Andrea Baker (Episode 13): An understanding of what Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) means

Bob Edwards (Episode 53): Does HOP lack accountability?

Stephen Scott (Episode 28): Adopting Critical Risk Management

Jodi Goodall (Episode 67): The High-Reliability Organization (HRO) framework

Clive Lloyd (Episode 44): The problem with Behavior-Based Safety

Murray Ritchie (Episode 72): In defense of Behavior-Based Safety

Tim D’Ath (Episode 61): An alternative to Behavior-Based Safety

Andrea Baker (Episode 13): Comparing Safety Theories

Elisa Lynch (Episode 14): New View versus traditional Safety

James MacPherson (Episode 64): Bickering over Safety labels

Carsten Busch (Episode 76): Is there an ideal blend of Safety approaches?

Dr Linda Martin (Episode 22): The problem with Safety theory

Elisa Lynch (Episode 14): Are Safety approaches debates helpful?

Murray Ritchie (Episode 72): Get rid of the Safety labels

Dr Todd Loushine (Episode 74): Welcoming Safety ideas

Sam Goodman (Episode 27): Respecting our Safety predecessors

Pam Walaski (Episode 66): Safety evolution

Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.com

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Greg Smith, an international award-winning author and qualified lawyer who has spent more than two decades specializing in Safety and Health management. Greg is also regarded as a leading provider of Safety training, particularly in the areas of management responsibilities and contractor safety management.

Describing himself as ‘Safety agnostic’, Greg doesn’t care how HSE professionals approach Workplace Safety - he just wants to help you be effective. However, he knows how challenging this can be and explains why Safety is a ‘wicked problem’ that is essentially unsolvable.

Gregs discusses the impact of legal frameworks on Safety Management and shares real-life examples of the unintended consequences of the criminalization of Safety.

Safety processes and measurement are the key themes of this fascinating conversation, as Greg highlights where the profession has become disconnected from its purpose and how this can be addressed.

Greg’s highly acclaimed book:  Paper Safe

Greg recommends the following podcasts:

• Safety Labs by Slice
• The Safety of Work
• Speak
• Rebranding Safety

Also this subscription service: OHS Alert | Premium Workplace health and safety news

And Ben Hutchinson’s research: Ben Hutchinson | LinkedIn

Greg Smith on LinkedIn: Greg Smith | LinkedIn

Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.com

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we’re conducting a thorough investigation of Safety metrics to help HSE practitioners measure (and manage) the factors that most accurately reflect Safety performance.

We’ve compiled a collection of thoughts, opinions and ideas about safety data, analysis and reporting from 19 of our previous guests discussing various aspects of this diverse and divisive subject.

Many question the existing reliance on lagging indicators and proxy KPIs, while the value of Zero Harm initiatives is particularly challenged.

But what are the alternatives? Are they easily quantifiable, will they satisfy senior leaders, and where does psychological safety fit into this discussion?

This Safety Measurement special features multiple perspectives on these crucial questions from experienced HSE professionals, consultants, authors and academics. We can’t promise definitive answers, but it will help you come to your own conclusions about Safety metrics - and how they can best keep your co-workers safe.

Featured guests (in order of appearance):

• Tim D’Ath (Episode 61): Measuring the wrong things in Safety
• Bob Edwards (Episode 53): Safety metrics need context
• Joelle Mitchell (Episode 75): The problem with proxy Safety measurements
• Christian Hunt (Episode 68): Measure the Safety outcome - not the input.
• Clive Lloyd (Episode 44): Safety KPIs that undermine trust
• Jodi Goodall (Episode 67): Understanding Safety metrics is crucial
• Cameron Stevens (Episode 62): Health and Safety data sucks
• Brent Sutton (Episode 60): Looking at Safety data differently
• Stephen Scott (Episode 28): The trap of Zero Harm
• Dr Nektarios Karanikas (Episode 08): Asking the right questions to evaluate Safety
• Dr Peter Brace (Episode 73): Can you measure Psychological Safety?
• Stephan Wiedner (Episode 69): Measuring Psychological Safety
• Murray Ritchie (Episode 72): Unhelpful Safety incentivization
• Moni Hogg (Episode 39): Measuring the impact of new Safety approaches
• Angelina Badri (Episode 50): A bad way to measure good Safety performance
• Jerry Smith (Episode 06): Measuring the adoption of Safety procedures
• Gareth Lock (Episode 43): The fallacy of using lagging indicators
• Kym Bancroft (Episode 05): Alternative Safety metrics
• Mikel Bowman (Episode 51): Perfection doesn’t exist in Safety management

Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.com

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Christian Harris, the founder of Slips Safety Services, who also hosts the Safety Roundtable and the Safety and Risk Success podcast. Christian, a social media communications expert, joins us today to offer EHS professionals practical guidance to strengthen your online presence.

Christian begins this insightful conversation by sharing his life-changing personal journey into Safety before explaining the concept of personal branding and why it’s so valuable for modern HSE professionals.

He provides a comprehensive guide to developing your personal brand and discusses the dos and don’ts of leveraging social media.

Packed with actionable advice such as being prolific rather than perfect, which channels to focus on, and the importance of developing a unique style, Christian also shares his fascinating views on the future of safety branding…

Find out more about Christian’s work:

Slip Safety Services

The Safety Roundtable:

Take part in the Safety Roundtable

The Safety and Risk Success Podcast:

The Safety and Risk Success Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Christian highly recommends this book:

Key Person of Influence Book - Daniel Priestley

Christian Harris on LinkedIn:

Christian Harris | LinkedIn

Christian Harris on Youtube:

Christian Harris - YouTube

Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.com

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we’re conducting a thorough investigation of a EHS practitioner’s job description to help you focus on the areas of workplace safety that matter most.

We've compiled a collection of thoughts, opinions and ideas about Safety professional’s key responsibilities from 20 of our previous guests.

All agree that practitioners are no longer “Safety Cops” but what should they be instead: facilitators, conduits, coaches? Are they best placed to write policies, implement procedures or conduct investigations? Do duties need to expand into workplace bullying, mental health and full psychosocial risk management? And is Safety even the HSE professional's responsibility??

This Safety role special presents multiple perspectives on these crucial questions from experienced HSE professionals, consultants, authors and academics. It doesn't conclude with a definitive job description, but will help you decide what to do more of - and what is no longer in your remit.

Featured guests (in order of appearance):

• James Junkin (Episode 37): What is a Safety Professional?
• Tanya Hewitt (Episode 7): What do we think the Safety manager's job is?
• Sam Goodman (Episode 27): Redefining the role of Safety
• Subena Colligan (Episode 34): Organizations don’t understand what Safety practitioners do
• Chris Smith (Episode 2): Safety is the ultimate change leadership position
• Chris Moulden (Episode 31): From Safety Cop to ultimate team player
• Mikel Bowman (Episode 51): The power of Safety professionals
• David Provan (Episode 58): Safety professionals can’t be everywhere!
• Bob Edwards (Episode 53): Safety practitioners can’t fix everything!
• Tony Muschara (Episode 70): Safety is not the Safety professional's responsibility
• Brye Sargent (Episode 11): Safety practitioners shouldn’t implement Safety policies
• Bridget Leathley (Episode 19): Safety professionals aren't solely responsible for procedures
• Dr Gary Namie (Episode 41): Safety should be responsible for workplace bullying
• Jason van Schie (Episode 33): Safety’s role in managing psychosocial risks
• Mark Alston (Episode 16): Facilitation is more important than Compliance
• Tim D’Ath (Episode 61): Safety professionals are conduits
• Cameron Stevens (Episode 62): Safety practitioners' role as a concierge
• Nicolai Massyn (Episode 63): Safety professionals are ideally placed to manage ESG
• Dr Todd Loushine (Episode 74): The heightened value of Safety practitioners
• Rosa Carrillo (Episode 57): Safety is an overlooked resource
• David Provan (Episode 58): The future role of a Safety professional…

Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.com

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Carsten Busch - the "Indiana Jones of Safety", who has over 25 years of experience in HSEQ Management. and is a tutor in the Lund University human factors and system safety program.

Carsten is also a Safety historian and has extensively researched and written about the work of Herbert William Heinrich - and shares his finding with us in this fascinating interview.

Heinrich is considered by many to be the founder of modern Safety practice, but has become a polarizing figure in today’s safety discourse.

Carsten believes Heinrich’s work and legacy should be reappraised, and he helps Safety professionals understand what he actually wrote - rather than basing their knowledge on hearsay.

One of Carsten’s main concerns is that New View Safety authors aren’t applying their own principles when they criticize Heinrich and could be positioning his work to reinforce their own approaches.

Context is key and you’ll discover what Heinrich actually said, who his primary audience was (not Safety professionals!), and the surprising role insurance companies played in enhancing Workplace Safety in the 1930s.

Carsten’s book investigating Heinrich:

Preventing Industrial Accidents: Reappraising H. W. Heinrich

Recommended additional reading from Heinrich’s time:
Men and machines: Amazon.com: Chase, Stuart

Find out more about Carsten’s work:

Home (mindtherisk.com)

Carsten on LinkedIn:

Carsten Busch | LinkedIn

Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.com

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Joelle Mitchell, an organizational psychologist and human factors specialist, who translates academic research findings from psychology, OHS and human factors into actionable risk management insights.

Joelle tells the story of her journey to specializing in psychosocial health, and helps simplify psychological safety for EHS practitioners.

She explores key hot topics, such as who should be responsible for psychosocial safety, and explains how organizational structures can significantly impact Workplace Safety.

Joelle proposes a well-balanced and highly practical approach to psychosocial risk management that allows HSE and HR to work together in an evolving model.

This fascinating discussion covers many elements of modern Workplace Safety, including managing inevitable trade-offs, incentivization issues, the vitality of risk management controls, moral injuries and the importance of humble inquiry.

Find out more about Joelle’s current role and work as Global Head of Psychological Health and Safety at: Flourish DX

Where you can also find psychosocial health and safety webinars, podcasts, training and tools.

Papers/books recommended by Joelle:

On the Folly of Rewarding A, While Hopig for B - by Stephen Kerr

Risk Management in a Dynamic Society - by Jens Rasmussen

Organising for Safety: How structure creates culture - by Andrew Hopkins

Connect with Joelle Mitchell on LinkedIn: Joelle Mitchell | LinkedIn

Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.com

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr Todd Loushine, a former OSHA compliance officer and EHS practitioner who now teaches the next generation of Safety professionals as an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin.

Todd uses his wide-ranging experience to improve worker success, satisfaction and safety - and in this highly-engaging discussion, he focuses his wisdom on the importance of learning and practicing civil discourse.

Many guests on our show believe Safety education doesn’t adequately prepare tomorrow’s HSE professionals, but 

Todd provides a more positive perspective.

He explains how students can be given the right level of challenge, guidance and soft-skill training to help them become successful Safety practitioners.

Debates about Safety do not always remain civil - especially on social media - and Todd explores why this happens and how the professional can raise the standards of discussion, openness to ideas and collaboration.

Both entertaining and enlightening throughout, Todd compares Safety to a teenager(!) and shares his vision of the profession without a regulator.

You can find most of Todd’s lectures on YouTube:

T William Loushine - YouTube

Todd recommends Safeopedia:

Safeopedia - Empowering the workplace with free health and safety info

Dr Todd Loushine on LinkedIn:

Todd William Loushine, PhD, PE, CSP, CIH | LinkedIn

Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.com

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr Peter Brace, a psychological safety consultant who helps organizations link respect and accountability through psychological safety to improve team performance.

He begins this engaging conversation by clarifying how much influence Safety professionals can have on psychological safety. Perhaps surprisingly for a consultant, Peter explains that you can’t create psychologically safe workplaces. Instead he describes the conditions required for this emergent quality.

Peter reveals the 5 key aspects of psychological safety (as defined by leading neuroscientist David Rock): Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Fairness - and how these conditions can be assessed and cultivated.

He also clears up the common misconceptions about psychological safety, highlights the key benefits and explains how this quality can be easily measured.

Safety practitioners will learn how psychological safety is an important precursor for physical health and safety, while deepening awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion.

Find out more about Peter’s work:

Human Capital Realisation

Peter recommends the work of Professor Amy Edmondson and Dr. Timothy Clark

Dr Peter Barce on LinkedIn:

Peter Brace PhD | LinkedIn

Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.com

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Murray Ritchie, an experienced OHS practitioner, researcher, educator, and speaker who’s worked with various industries, governments, and NGOs.

He joins us to discuss the content of his new book: ‘Seven Bad Habits of Safety Management - Examining Systemic Failure’ (published September 2023).

Murray gives EHS professionals an honest, open and comprehensive appraisal of current approaches to Safety Management, covering education, regulations, Plan Do Check Act, the right to refuse, Heinrich, BBS, Zero Harm, Safety Culture, and so much more.

This insightful interview is packed with real-life examples from his 40-year career and extension academic research, highlighting where the industry is failing to improve.

Murray’s on a mission to propel Safety out of its ‘comfort zone’. This conversation helps HSE professionals focus on what’s important: finding facts and fixing them before somebody gets hurt.

Find out more about Murray’s work:

Tri-Lens Safety (trilenssafety.com)

Murray’s book:

Seven Bad Habits of Safety Management: Examining Systemic Failure

Murray recommended the work of Sydney Dekker and Clive Lloyd

Contact Murray by email:
[email protected]

Murray Ritchie on LinkedIn:

Murray Ritchie MSc | LinkedIn

Safety Labs is created by Slice, the only safety knife on the market with a finger-friendly® blade. Find out more: www.sliceproducts.com

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]