The Occupational Safety Leadership Podcast

In today's episode older Dr. Ayers talks to young Dr. Ayers about avoiding the comfort zone.  Growth does not happen in the comfort zone, get out.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers starts to peel back the onion on imposter syndrome.  Imposter syndrome is generally expressed through self-doubt in your abilities even when you have shown a clear pattern of completed the tasks.  Dr. Ayers discusses what he does to combat imposter syndrome.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers compares growing vegetables to rolling out safety programs.  They both need plenty of light, rain, protection from animals and pulling weeds to thrive.

In todays' episode, Dr. Ayers discusses career skills with Dr. Megan Tranter.  Dr. Tranter is a Safety Career Coach.  She specializes in helping safety professionals go to the next level along with understanding what they really want from the safety profession.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers talks about not becoming a "Seagull Safety Professional".  The seagull will swoop into a factory, lab or office; tell employees everything they have done wrong and fly away.  Some Seagulls come to the facility, steal a good idea and promote it as their own.  Don't be a "Seagull Safety Professional".

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers asks the question about lone worker policies.  Someone is always the first in the office as well as the last to lock up. What activities does your company allow employees to perform when they are the only one in the office?

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses the Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and opioids used for pain (management/mismanagement) with Tim Pottoroff.  "Ergo Tim" is a repeat guest and discusses early intervention to prevent MSDs along with using techniques found in Prevention through Design (PtD) to set the working environment up to reduce MSDs.  Over a 100,000 people die in the United States alone from overdoses.  Many of these start as on the job pain.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers makes up a term "Hazard Correction Fixation Syndrome".  this is when we as Safety Professionals get fixated on correcting a hazard and don't see other hazards in the area.  Take a step back and see the whole picture, get input from employees on finding and correcting hazards.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discuss lithium fire hazards with Wendy Buckley of Stars Hazmat.  Wendy has a lot of knowledge about lithium batteries.  Wendy discusses the hazards along with the "extra" fire protection needed (class "D" Fire Extinguishers) and discusses best industry practices such as bringing your local fire department through the facility to help them understand the hazards and the building.

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses taking action.  As Safety Professionals, we do a great job of identifying hazards and looking for ways to reduce injury.  Take action, the plan is never going to be perfect.