We’re back—and better than ever—from our brand-new home in Sandy, Utah!

In this episode, Utah Safety Council President John Wojciechowski and Occupational Safety Program Manager Karen Kitiona sit down with Eric Olsen, Communications Director at the Utah Labor Commission, for a fascinating and fun conversation.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

Whether you're a safety professional, Star Wars fan, or just love great conversations about making workplaces safer, this episode has something for you.

Tune in now and subscribe to “Speaking Up for Safety” wherever you get your podcasts.

Brigham Young University, The University of Utah, Weber State, and Utah State University have teamed up to help students launch their EHS Education and Career.

Make a Difference. A degree in occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) opens doors to impactful careers—from safeguarding workers at manufacturing sites to pioneering research on workplace hazards. Whether you’re aiming for a role in industrial hygiene, corporate safety, or even medical school, OEHS blends science with real-world impact.

Utah is home to four top OEHS programs, each dedicated to preparing professionals to protect workers and the environment. With high salaries (averaging $112,281 for bachelor’s-trained professionals), diverse career opportunities, and the chance to save lives, OEHS offers a rewarding and in-demand path forward.

In this episode, we dive into the world of safety with a passionate safety professional who’s on a mission to inspire managers to embrace safety as a core part of their business culture. His approach? Making safety practical, engaging, and—most importantly—fun!

From creative team-building exercises to hands-on demonstrations, he knows how to turn serious topics into memorable moments, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.

And, as he likes to say, he’s “serving up safety smiles” with every session. Listen to hear how he gets managers and teams alike to see safety from a whole new perspective!

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Do you work for a business with less than 250 employees? If so, you qualify for the Workplace Safety Scholarship. Reach out to us today for more information! - 801.746.SAFE (7233)

Utah Safety Council Website: https://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/content/Default.aspx

In this episode, we sit down with Martin Herrera, a passionate advocate for road safety, especially within the Hispanic community. Martin shares crucial insights into the importance of driving safely and the devastating impact that accidents can have on individuals, families, and entire communities—including the tragic reality of fatalities.

With a strong focus on reaching out to the Hispanic community, Martin is dedicated to educating everyone about safe driving techniques that can save lives. From simple tips to life-changing advice, Martin's message is clear: every life matters, and taking the right steps behind the wheel can make all the difference.

Whether you’re a seasoned driver or just getting started, this conversation is a must-watch to better understand how we can all contribute to safer roads for ourselves and our loved ones.

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Do you work for a business with less than 250 employees? If so, you qualify for the Workplace Safety Scholarship. Reach out to us today for more information! - 801.746.SAFE (7233)

Utah Safety Council Website: https://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/content/Default.aspx

In this podcast, we sit down with Chief Matt Pennington, Utah’s state security chief, to clear the air about the new armed school guardian program that has sparked debate. From concerns about who these guardians will be, to rumors about minimal training and lack of mental health screenings, we address it all.

Chief Pennington explains how this program ensures that each school has a trained, prepared volunteer guardian on-site every day to protect against threats. We also dive into the rigorous screening process and dispel fears that school environments will become more dangerous or intimidating.

Do you work for a business with less than 250 employees? If so, you qualify for the Workplace Safety Scholarship. Reach out to us today for more information! - 801.746.SAFE (7233)

Utah Safety Council Website: https://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/content/Default.aspx

Tami Olsen - Director, Young Caring For Our Young // Speaking Up For Safety podcast made possible through the Utah Labor Commission

On this episode of "Speaking Up for Safety," we are honored to have Tami Olsen, a dedicated advocate from Young Caring for Our Young, as our guest speaker. Tami will dive into the impactful work their organization does to support the youth in their community.

Young Caring for Our Young operates on the fundamental belief that every child is entitled to the essential resources needed to shape a promising future. Their mission includes addressing and fulfilling the clothing, nutritional, educational, and hygienic needs of young people.

By providing these critical resources, they strive to ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Join us as we explore the inspiring efforts and achievements of Young Caring for Our Young in nurturing the next generation.

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Do you work for a business with less than 250 employees? If so, you qualify for the Workplace Safety Scholarship. Reach out to us today for more information! - 801.746.SAFE (7233)

Utah Safety Council Website: https://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/content/Default.aspx

Join us this time as we welcome Amy Dott and Amanda Shirley from Utah Refugee Connection to our podcast. Together, we explore many initiatives and programs offered by Refugee Connection to support our refugee communities here in Utah. Their mission is perfectly captured in their mission statement to "Create meaningful connections between refugees, the community, and public and private organizations which support refugees in developing self-sufficient and fulfilling lives," a goal they embody in their daily endeavors.

Refugee Connection undertakes a wide array of initiatives, including providing education, supplies, and resources to those most in need. They take pride in identifying gaps in the social system and proactively addressing them to the best of their ability. Their passion lies in ensuring that refugees are seamlessly integrated into our society, fostering an environment where they can thrive, have a sense of belonging and live their best lives.

Join us as we delve into the inspiring work of Refugee Connection and learn how they are making a tangible difference in the lives of refugees in Utah.

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Do you work for a business with less than 250 employees? If so, you qualify for the Workplace Safety Scholarship. Reach out to us today for more information! - 801.746.SAFE (7233)

Utah Safety Council Website: https://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/content/Default.aspx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/utahsafetycouncil/

Speaking Up For Safety Ep. 14 - DonorConnect

Welcome to the latest installment of the Speaking Up for Safety podcast! Today, we are diving deep into the world of organ donation with our friends from DonorConnect. Joining us are Mark Dixon and Rufus Tolbert, ready to unpack all the essentials about organ donation: from the ins and outs of the process to how you can become a donor and the incredible stories of lives transformed by this act of generosity.

But wait, there’s more! We’re tackling the myths and misconceptions surrounding organ donation head-on. Get ready for the questions you never thought you had as we answer the tough questions and even throw in a lively discussion inspired by Grey’s Anatomy Season 15 Episode 8. Trust us, you won’t

want to miss this!

For more information or if you want to take place in their upcoming events, you can always check out their website here https://www.donorconnect.life/

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Do you work for a business with less than 250 employees? If so, you qualify for the Workplace Safety Scholarship. Reach out to us today for more information! - 801.746.SAFE (7233)

Utah Safety Council Website: https://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/content/Default.aspx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/utahsafetycouncil/

Speaking Up For Safety Ep. 13 - Women In Safety

In this episode you will hear from esteemed members of the Women in Safety Steering Committee. These dedicated steering committee members will share insights, experiences, and expertise, providing valuable perspectives on navigating the dynamic landscape of safety leadership.

The mission of the Utah Safety Council Women in Safety Organization is dedicated to empowering women in safety roles through recognition, elevation, and professional development.

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Do you work for a business with less than 250 employees? If so, you qualify for the Workplace Safety Scholarship. Reach out to us today for more information! - 801.746.SAFE (7233)

Utah Safety Council Website: https://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/content/Default.aspx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/utahsafetycouncil/

In this engaging episode, our dynamic occupational team engages in insightful conversations with esteemed members of the Spanish-speaking community, namely Cesar Calvillo, Estuardo Peres, and Roberto Gomez, also known as the Corporate Safety Group. Together, they delve into the critical topic of the imperative need for trainings in Spanish within the construction industry. The discussion explores the various facets surrounding this necessity, such as language barriers, immigration status, and resource limitations.

Highlights of the episode include:

• Unveiling a grant opportunity for OSHA 10 Construction Spanish classes.

The dialogue also poses thought-provoking questions:

• Should the role of employers evolve to better support their Spanish-speaking workforce? This encompasses improved communication methods, increased monetary resources, and enhanced training opportunities.

Tune in as we navigate through these crucial aspects, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Spanish-speaking workers and the avenues for improvement in the construction industry.

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Do you work for a business with less than 250 employees? If so, you qualify for the Workplace Safety Scholarship. Reach out to us today for more information! - 801.746.SAFE (7233)

Utah Safety Council Website: https://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/content/Default.aspx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/utahsafetycouncil/