

The Safety Guru
Eric Michrowski
Real leaders leave a legacy. They capture the hearts and minds of their teams. Their origin story puts the safety and wellbeing of their people first. Great companies ubiquitously have safe yet productive operations. For those companies, Safety is an investment, not a cost for the C-Suite. It’s a real topic of daily focus. The SAFETY GURU with host Eric Michrowski, a globally recognized Ops & Safety Guru, public speaker and author explores through leader interviews how to leave a safety legacy. Your legacy success story begins now.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 20, 2025 • 40min
Episode 126 - Redefining Health, Risk, and Safety and Exploring Their Interconnectedness with Dr. Nektarios Karanikas
Dr. Nektarios Karanikas, an Associate Professor in Health, Safety, and Environment at Queensland University of Technology, shares his expertise on rethinking safety in organizations. He discusses the evolving definitions of health and safety, emphasizing collaboration and a proactive approach. Nektarios critiques traditional safety metrics and highlights the dangers of bureaucratic processes. He advocates for a humanistic approach to safety, urging leaders to foster a culture that prioritizes well-being. Don't miss his unique insights on the interconnectedness of health, risk, and safety!

Mar 6, 2025 • 36min
Episode 125 - Fatigue Risk Management: Strategies for a Safer, More Productive Workplace with Andrew Moore-Ede
In this must-listen episode, Andrew Moore-Ede, a global expert in Fatigue Risk Management, shares groundbreaking insights on tackling fatigue in the workplace. Andrew uncovers the root causes of fatigue, reveals objective tools for proactively measuring and mitigating it, and explains how optimizing shifts can enhance safety and productivity. His actionable insights not only protect your team but also boost well-being, reduce operational risks, and drive performance. Tune in for valuable takeaways on managing fatigue risks and actionable strategies to create a safer, more productive workplace!About the Guest: Andrew Moore-Ede is an internationally recognized expert in shiftwork, fatigue risk management, and 24/7 workforce optimization. As the President of CIRCADIAN®, the leading research and consulting firm for extended-hours operations, Andrew has spent over 20 years partnering with some of the largest organizations in the world, including Fortune 500 companies and government agencies to improve the health, safety, and performance of their 24/7 workforces. For more information: www.Circadian.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 20, 2025 • 37min
Episode 124 - Driving Safety Improvement through Post-Incident Insights with John Richardson
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with John Richardson as we explore how post-incident insights can drive meaningful safety improvements. John shares key components of productive fact-finding conversations and highlights the importance of fostering a learning culture built on openness and transparency for effective root cause analysis. Tune in to discover transformative strategies to prevent future incidents, enhance safety culture, and foster a proactive approach to workplace learning. Don’t miss this must-listen episode packed with actionable insights to drive lasting safety improvements and build a stronger safety culture!About the Guest:John Richardson is a seasoned organizational improvement professional with a strong law enforcement background, specializing in incident investigation, root cause analysis, and operational excellence. Having worked with a global client base across a wide range of industries, he brings a wealth of insight to his current position at Bywater, a London-based training company. Today, he focuses on proposition development and leads the Investigation / RCA program, delivering advanced training solutions that empower organizations to enhance performance and drive real improvement. For more information: www.bywater.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 6, 2025 • 45min
Episode 123 - Bridging the Gap: Empowering Leaders to Connect, Listen, and Lead with Curiosity with Kelvin Genn
"Curiosity is the number one tool a safety professional should have." In this compelling episode, we welcome Kelvin Genn, a seasoned leader with decades of experience across diverse industries. Kelvin shares his valuable insights on how leaders can bridge the gap between the boardroom and the frontline by fostering a culture of curiosity, unlocking the power of inquiry to ask better questions, and empowering their teams. He details how leaders can connect, listen, and lead with curiosity to build stronger connections and greater engagement. This episode is filled with sound strategies and actionable approaches that will help you foster a safer, more engaged workplace culture. Tune in now for an enlightening conversation packed with valuable takeaways!About the Guest: Kelvin Genn is a founder of Safety Differently and a key designer and creator of the Due Diligence Index. Kelvin is a strategic systems practitioner with extensive experience in Human Factors and organizational re-engineering. He developed his systems thinking approach working in the Royal Australian Air Force. He is the Managing Director of Art of Work, which has led the implementation of Safety Differently worldwide. He has led systems and risk management programs across Asia Pacific and Europe with Compass Group Plc, the world's largest support service company. Kelvin is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety. For more information: www.artofwork.solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 23, 2025 • 30min
Episode 122 - The 5-Layer Culture Cake: A Recipe for Tangible Safety Outcomes with Becky Ray
How can we make today better than yesterday? Join us for a compelling conversation with Becky Ray, an expert who empowers leaders to create high-performance cultures in high-risk industries. Becky introduces her unique framework, the 5-Layer Culture Cake—a proven recipe for achieving tangible safety outcomes. She walks us through each “slice” of the framework, offering bite-sized strategies to build a high-performing culture and drive continuous improvement. Don’t miss this lively and insightful episode packed with practical, simplified insights to guide you and your team toward long-term safety success.About the Guest: Becky Ray is the passion and driving force behind Culture Kick, which partners with Leaders to empower them to create High-Performance Cultures through an operational-focused approach. The unique framework, the Culture Kick Culture Cake, is designed to make this transformation impactful and empower more people to Be Better. She began her career as an Engineer, experiencing firsthand the fast-paced dynamics of operations. After a decade on the tools, she transitioned into Health and Safety Leadership in High-Risk industries such as Rail, Construction, Manufacturing, and Military Aviation. Her hands-on experience in these fields has given her a deep understanding of the important role Leaders have in achieving High Performance and an environment where people thrive. For more information: www.culturekick.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 9, 2025 • 43min
Episode 121 - A Powerful Start To The Year: Unlocking Your Emotional Connection To Safety with Ken Roberts and Theo Venter
Start the year with our New Year special episode of The Safety Guru featuring returning guests Theo Venter and Ken Roberts. With a combined 70 years of industrial work experience, this dynamic duo brings powerful insights and perspectives to help unlock your emotional connection to safety and implement strategies that truly stick. Tune in for practical tips, compelling stories, and actionable strategies to elevate your safety culture and set the stage for a more successful year ahead. Don't miss this inspiring and engaging episode!About the Guests: Theo Venter: Theo Venter is the only known survivor of a 22,000-volt electrical shock through the heart and shares his amazing story with audiences across the globe. When he removed his insulated gloves while working on a damaged transmission pole, he made a decision that would impact himself and his family in ways he couldn't have imagined. Although taking risks is normal and inherent in every human being, you could potentially be the next fatality at your workplace. That's why it's important to talk about it and bring it out in the open. By allowing Theo to share his story, people are impacted in a way that they are reminded of what can go horribly wrong when they take a shortcut. For more information: https://www.theoventer.com/Ken Roberts: With over forty years of rich experience in mining, heavy industry, and construction, Ken Roberts is a pioneer in transforming workplace cultures. He is the creator of the ground-breaking 'Convenience Kills' program, designed to move cultures from being convenience-driven to being consequence-driven through his innovative "Agreements Culture" formula, which promotes voluntary accountability and ownership. Ken's dedicated efforts significantly boost safety, productivity, and leadership effectiveness, leading to profound improvements in organizational dynamics and outcomes. For more information: https://transfoorm.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 12, 2024 • 16min
Episode 120 - Year in Review: The 2024 Highlights on The Safety Guru with Eric Michrowski
As we wrap up another impactful year, we’re reflecting on an incredible journey filled with powerful insights from global experts, transformative ideas from thought leaders, and voices committed to meaningful change—all dedicated to making a difference. Take a moment to reminisce with your host, Eric Michrowski, as he highlights the podcast’s most inspirational moments and top themes of 2024, celebrating the lessons learned that shaped this podcast season. Here’s to a wonderful time of joy, a year of growth ahead, and making every day safer for everyone! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 28, 2024 • 36min
Episode 119 - Slipology: Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls and Connecting Safety to Business Success with Christian Harris
Join us for an engaging episode with Christian Harris, a leading expert in slip safety, as he shares his transformative journey into Slipology, resulting from a life-changing incident in London in 2012. With a contagious passion for creating safer workplaces, Christian details actionable strategies grounded in a scientific and holistic approach to preventing slips, trips, and falls. Discover the six key drivers for mitigating risks and learn the critical role of connecting with the C-Suite to drive business success and safety excellence. Packed with powerful insights and practical takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to fostering a safer workplace!About the Guest: Christian Harris is a renowned expert in slip safety, known for his innovative, data-driven approach to reducing slip accidents, injuries, and claims. As the founder of Slip Safety Services, Christian has spent over 12 years helping thousands of clients achieve a 57%+ reduction in slip-related incidents through a practical, end-to-end implementation service of the Slipology principles and CHIMES. Christian’s mission is to reduce slip accidents worldwide through Slipology, a scientific method to reduce slip risk. He aims to empower businesses to protect people while enhancing operational efficiency and profits. For more information: https://slipsafety.co.uk/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 14, 2024 • 35min
Episode 118 - Three Seconds and Five Missed Opportunities: The Journey to Safety and Its Ripple Effects with Mark Stanway
We are honored to feature a sobering and impactful conversation with Mark Stanway, a seasoned professional in the construction industry, as he recounts the three life-altering seconds in 2015 when he fell from a ten-meter height. Mark reflects on the five missed opportunities that could have prevented his incident and emphasizes the importance of identifying and understanding hazards in work areas and ensuring control measures are in place. He also shares the devastating ripple effects it had on his family. Tune in now as Mark introduces practical risk-assessment tools that empower site supervisors to efficiently evaluate work hazards, promoting safer workplaces. Don’t miss this compelling episode that will leave you rethinking safety on every level.About the Guest: Mark Stanway is a seasoned professional in the construction industry, with over 45 years of experience as a director, builder, and freelance site manager. A life-changing accident in 2015 profoundly reshaped his perspective on workplace safety, igniting a passion for health and safety advocacy. As a keynote speaker, he shares his insights and experiences, educating construction workers on the importance of safety measures and accident prevention. Mark’s dedication to enhancing workplace safety continues to inspire change and foster a culture of vigilance in the construction sector. For more information: https://www.shakositemanagementservicesltd.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 31, 2024 • 31min
Episode 117 - Brain-Based Leadership: The Neuroscience of Safety Leadership with Dr. Dan Radecki
Join us for a captivating episode with Dr. Dan Radecki, a leading expert in neuroscience and brain-based leadership. In this discussion, Dr. Radecki details the differences between acute and chronic stress in the workplace and highlights the critical link between psychological and physical safety. Discover effective strategies to build brain resilience, foster better decision-making, and manage stress in high-risk roles to create safer environments. Don't miss this insightful opportunity to dive into the neuroscience of safety leadership!About the Guest: Dr. Dan Radecki is Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at The Academy of Brain-based Leadership (ABL). He also serves as Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Research at Object Pharma and holds a Bachelor's in Psychology, a Master's in Biopsychology, and a PhD in Neuroscience. Dan delivered a TEDx keynote and co-authored the book “Psychological Safety: The key to happy, high-performing people and teams.” He has been guest editor on a special issue for the Journal of Consulting Psychology, written numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles, and been published in the Harvard Business Review. For more information: https://brainleadership.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices