Safety Labs by Safety Products Global

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Martijn Flinterman, a sociologist, researcher and author, specializing in how organizations deal with safety. Drawing on the work of Niklas Luhmann, Martijn challenges many assumptions that underpin traditional safety management.He explores why focusing primarily on accidents can obscure crucial safety insights, and why categories such as “safe” and “unsafe” often create blind spots. Martijn explains how systems manage risk through distinctions, narratives and routines, and how these can unintentionally suppress reflection, dissent and learning.The conversation also covers interesting ideas including harmony bias, constructive distrust and humble confidence. Martijn argues that too much trust can become negligent, silence can itself be a risk, and safety professionals must learn to act decisively while acknowledging that their understanding is always partial.This wide-ranging discussion offers EHS professionals a sociological lens to better understand complexity, challenge comfortable assumptions and create space for critical reflection in safety systems.Learn more about Martijn’s work: Unter Soziologen / Among SociologistsMartijn’s book featured in this interview: Managing Safety in ComplexityLuhmann’s most accessible writing: Introduction to systems theory : Luhmann, Niklas, 1927-1998Martijn also recommends the sociologist Stefan Kuhl: Stefan Kühl – UklitagMartijn Flinterman on LinkedIn: Martijn Flinterman | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at safetylabs@safetyproducts.global

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Ben Goodheart, a human-centred safety consultant and podcast host who advocates a design thinking mindset to improve safety outcomes.Ben introduces EHS professionals to the concept of design thinking and its practical application in workplace safety. He explores the importance of workers’ experiences, small-scale experiments and incremental change - and how these alternative approaches can positively impact your organization.He shares cool real-world examples of how design thinking has driven greater safety success and provides actionable guidance to replicate this in your workplace.You’ll also discover what Ben wants you to focus on instead of technical knowledge, how “safety improv” can help and why it’s good to be comfortable with uncertainty.Learn more about Ben’s work: Magpie Human SystemsListen to Ben’s safety podcast: Punk Rock SafetyThe Empathy Map Ben suggested: Empathy Map - XPLANEBen recommends this website: IDEO - A Global Design & Innovation CompanyBen Goodheart on LinkedIn: Ben Goodheart, Ph.D. | LinkedInContact Ben: bgoodheart@safetyforhumans.comSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at safetylabs@safetyproducts.global

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Aaron Potash, an experienced EHS Design Program leader with a background in emergency response and diving instruction.Drawing parallels from these two high-pressure, unpredictable environments, Aaron explores why rule-heavy approaches often fail to support real-world decision-making.He explains how practice, repetition and exposure to realistic scenarios - rather than regulations - are key to helping people develop resilience and reliable judgement.This wide-ranging interview provides practical tools rooted in trust, curiosity and open communication to help EHS professionals support workers in making safer decisions.Find out more about Aaron’s work: Original Oaktown DiversBooks recommended by Aaron:There are no accidents by Jesse SingerHumble Inquiry by Edgar H. ScheinAaron Potash on LinkedIn: Aaron Potash, CSP | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at safetylabs@safetyproducts.global

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Donna Carter, a psychology-informed transformational safety consultant with extensive experience of suicide prevention in remote workplace situations.Drawing on compelling stories from her frontline work, Donna discusses the complex challenges of suicide prevention and how EHS professionals can support workers in this extremely sensitive area.She explores the key roles of trust, education and community and warns us that leadership decisions and messages can influence workers’ mental wellbeing in ways organisations may not anticipate.Donna’s wisdom offers safety professionals crucial guidance on what genuine care requires in practice and how humanising safety can make a meaningful difference for people who may be struggling.This powerful conversation raises difficult but necessary questions and encourages you to look beyond physical risks to protect lives.Find out more about Donna’s work: Home | The Person FactorGet in touch with Donna via email: donna@thepersonfactor.co.nzRecommended suicide prevention resources: 24/7 Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention. - Beyond BlueBlack Dog Institute | Better Mental Health | Science. Compassion. Action.Donna Carter on LinkedIn: Donna Carter | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at safetylabs@safetyproducts.global

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr. Ashley Gill, an experienced safety consultant whose passion for developing the next generation of EHS professionals led her to teaching.Through her work educating the next generation of EHS professionals, experienced practitioners and engineers, Ashley has firsthand knowledge of the habits, assumptions and gaps that shape how students understand safety. She shares stories from the classroom and explores the importance of teaching safety principles to professionals in adjacent roles.Ashley explores how OHS education has evolved over recent years and how it can improve even further. She recognizes that certain elements including non-physical psychosocial risks, soft skills and wider culture enhancement should be key areas of focus going forward.Dr. Gill’s unique perspective offers EHS professionals practical guidance to raise safety standards in the real world - and not just in theory.Find out more about Ashley’s consultancy work: ERM - Environmental Resources ManagementLearn more about WISE: Women in the Safety Profession Member Community | ASSPAshley highly recommends the work of Sydney Decker: Sidney Dekker: Safety DifferentlyDr. Ashley Gill on LinkedIn: Ashley Gill, DBA, CSP | LinkedInSafety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.globalIf you have any questions, please email us at safetylabs@safetyproducts.global

Join Jake Mazulewicz, a human reliability consultant, former firefighter, and author, as he shares his expertise on enhancing safety in technical teams. He delves into how incidents typically stem from multiple small factors rather than a lone cause. Jake emphasizes balancing control-based and learning-centered safety approaches while tackling myths about psychological safety. He also introduces practical resilience techniques and the importance of constructive feedback. Dive into actionable strategies that can transform workplace safety!

Dr. Fred Sherratt, a construction safety expert and founder of Straight Talk Safety, dives into the complexities of construction safety. He emphasizes that safety is a dynamic, people-driven process influenced by ever-changing work environments. Fred critiques the concept of 'safety culture,' arguing it's shaped by relationships and communication on-site. He highlights the importance of leadership and genuine engagement in fostering safety, while recommending practical strategies for safety professionals to adapt and build trust within their teams.

Dr. Matt Law, a certified safety professional and researcher, discusses the gap between safety research and practical application. He highlights the traits of bad research and stresses the importance of critical analysis for practitioners. Matt elaborates on the differences between qualitative and quantitative methods, advocating for a balanced approach. He also sheds light on how modern platforms like podcasts and TikTok can enhance research communication. Finally, he calls for collaboration between practitioners and researchers to improve workplace safety outcomes.

Ron Gantt, Vice President of EHS at Beal Infrastructure and co-host of the Punk Rock Safety podcast, dives into the complexities of contractor collaboration in safety management. He discusses the hidden costs of coordination and why treating it as real work is crucial. Gantt offers practical strategies like co-locating teams and aligning schedules to enhance safety. His thought-provoking question, “How do we want to argue together?” helps establish norms for conflict. He emphasizes the importance of relationship-building over punitive measures in contracts.

This podcast explores different safety theories and frameworks such as Safety Differently, New View Safety, Human and Organizational Performance (HOP), Critical Risk Management, High-Reliability Organization (HRO) framework, and Behavior-Based Safety. Various guests provide insights and opinions on these approaches, highlighting key principles and debates surrounding them. The podcast emphasizes the need for an open mind, discusses changes in safety industry attitudes, and promotes continuous learning and adaptation in the field.