

The Occupational Safety Leadership Podcast
Dr. Ayers/Applied Safety and Environmental Management
Interviews along with a Q&A format answering questions about safety. Together we‘ll help answer not just safety compliance but the strategy and tactics to implement injury elimination/severity.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 18, 2025 • 5min
Episode 259 - Expect Hardship in Occupational Safety
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses that as Safety Professionals, we should expect hardship and stop thinking everything is so easy. Get input and buy-in from employees, then implement policies, training, etc. Then the employees have skin in the game.

May 16, 2025 • 20min
Episode 258 - Tracy Krieger - Shelter in Place and 5150 in California
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers talks to Tracy Krieger of OC Safety about an incident she had at a company where an employee was experiencing a mental health crisis. Tracy goes into the response and the lessons learned from the incident. This was a great interview and outlines an area where Safety Professionals should have a plan ready in case such an incident happens in their workplace.

May 11, 2025 • 6min
Episode 257 - Favoritism in Occupational Safety
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses a story with one of his old friends where he was accused of favoritism. We naturally become friends with employees in the workplace, but hazards and unsafe behavior cannot be overlooked just because you are friends.

May 10, 2025 • 8min
Episode 256 - Occupational Safety - Training for a new skill
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses training for a new skill and bringing new hires onboard. Do we actually train employees or just assume they know what they are doing? Or do we put them with an "old-timer" to show them the ropes?

May 3, 2025 • 3min
Episode 255 - Occupational Safety - Beware of Rabbit Holes
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses framing success when answer a safety question and beware of rabbit holes. Dr. Ayers is a recovering "Rabbit Hole Expert".

Apr 27, 2025 • 7min
Episode 254 - Occupational Safety - Micromanagement
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses micromanagement. Is it the employee or the supervisors that needs help? I'd argue more that it's the supervisor who wants things done a certain way. Don't micromanage employees.

Apr 27, 2025 • 5min
Episode 253 - Occupational Safety - Don't be a ticket puncher
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers talks about not being a ticket puncher. A ticket puncher is someone who cares about the next promotion as opposed to being focused on helping employees reduce hazards. Don't be a Ticket Puncher.

Apr 22, 2025 • 9min
Episode 252 - Occupational Safety - Find Employees who Speak Freely
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses a strategy to find employees who speak freely about hazards in the workplace. If you are a new safety person as the facility, have patience.

Apr 19, 2025 • 5min
Episode 251 - Occupational Safety - Stay on the Path
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses a recent phone call with another safety professional expressing their concerns about being laid off and getting out of the safety profession. It hasn't been all rainbows and unicorns, but I think safety is a great profession and I have gotten a great deal of satisfaction from solving difficult and demanding hazards.

Apr 11, 2025 • 24min
Episode 250 - Universal Waste Management
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers has Phil from Hazmat Scholars to discuss Universal Waste Management. Phil was also featured in episode 222 and 230 discussing hazardous waste management. Universal waste management is not always understood, and this is a can't miss episode.