The Occupational Safety Leadership Podcast
Dr. Ayers/Applied Safety and Environmental Management
▶ Webplayer
Dr. Ayers/Applied Safety and Environmental Management
▶ WebplayerInterviews 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.
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Nov 13, 2026 · 4:37
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses ensuring the corrective actions are verified before the hazard report is closed. It takes time to order parts, alter SOPs and other…
Nov 13, 2026 · 7:17
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers asks listeners to reflect on how they respinded when employees report hazards. Are you negative and shut down the conversation or work on solving…
Nov 4, 2026 · 6:22
In this episode, Dr. Ayers explores a common challenge in hazard identification: employees and supervisors often stop noticing hazards that have become part of their everyday…
Sep 18, 2026 · 26:31
In today's episode, fall protection is covered by repeat guest Dr. Drew Hinton of Arrow Safety. The core message of this episode is that fall protection only works when leaders…
Sep 17, 2026 · 3:41
The episode argues that an “open door policy” is meaningless in safety if leaders stay in their offices and wait for workers to come to them. Safety leadership requires presence,…
Sep 4, 2026 · 32:12
Bryan Haywood ( bryan@safteng.net ) (513-238-8747) is back to tackle one of the most misunderstood areas of confined space entry: Ventilation. Ventilation in confined spaces is…
Aug 30, 2026 · 5:20
This episode comes from an avid listener of the podcast. The Safety Professional in this podcast episode assumed a safety plan had not been completed for a critical crane lift.…
Aug 30, 2026 · 3:41
The episode teaches that leaders must check their tone before correcting hazards, because the way a leader communicates determines whether workers stay engaged, speak up, and…
Aug 30, 2026 · 4:49
The episode centers on the idea that chasing perfection slows safety progress, while consistent, incremental improvement builds stronger safety cultures. 🔑 Key Points Perfection…
Aug 15, 2026 · 25:55
Core idea: Anna Albright explains how cooling and heat‑management vests from ClemaCooling help workers manage thermal stress on the job, outlining how the technology works, when…
Aug 5, 2026 · 6:41
The main message is that hazard reporting is only effective when safety leaders actively respond to the hazards employees report. Dr. Ayers challenges safety professionals to…
Aug 1, 2026 · 6:32
Trust is the foundation of effective safety leadership. When supervisors build real relationships—through consistency, care, and competence—employees speak up more, hazards…
Jul 31, 2026 · 7:11
Take the Time to Thank Employees for Reporting Hazards explains why positive recognition for hazard reporting is a simple, high‑impact leadership practice that increases…
Jul 23, 2026 · 5:30
Core idea: Risk assessments often list hazards but miss the most important element — the people who are exposed. This episode teaches supervisors to make risk assessments…
Jul 23, 2026 · 11:52
The Hazard Snapshot Method is a fast, repeatable pre‑task habit that helps supervisors spot immediate hazards, confirm controls, and decide whether work can start. It turns…
Jul 7, 2026 · 6:23
The Walk‑By Method teaches supervisors to look for safety items as they walk the job — turning everyday movement through the workplace into continuous safety awareness. 🎯 Why It…
Jun 27, 2026 · 23:41
Fatigue contributes to accidents, now there's an accurate test. This is part 2 of fatigue testing using non-invasive saliva chews with James Walsh. Hyperion Biotechnology…
Jun 27, 2026 · 32:02
Fatigue contributes to accidents, now there's an accurate test. This is part 1 of fatigue testing using non-invasive saliva chews with James Walsh. Hyperion Biotechnology…
Jun 25, 2026 · 6:50
Employees are the closest to the work, the hazards, and the real‑world conditions. When leaders actively ask employees for help with hazard reduction, safety improves faster,…
Jun 21, 2026 · 6:58
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers discusses some of the silent signals that leaders end about occupational safety. This episode explores the unspoken ways leaders influence safety:…
Jun 19, 2026 · 5:12
Corrective actions don’t fail because they’re bad ideas — they fail because leaders assign timelines that were never realistic in the first place. When deadlines are impossible,…
Jun 18, 2026 · 5:08
Even well‑written corrective actions fail when leaders don’t follow through. Lack of follow‑through sends a message that hazards aren’t urgent, accountability is optional, and…
Jun 17, 2026 · 6:43
Corrective actions don’t stall because people don’t care — they stall because no one clearly owns them. When ownership is vague, deadlines slip, hazards remain, and…
Jun 15, 2026 · 8:15
Closure rates aren’t just numbers — they are a visible signal to employees about how seriously leadership takes safety. High closure rates build trust and credibility; low…
Jun 10, 2026 · 3:17
Core idea: Consistency is the most underrated—and most powerful—leadership behavior in occupational safety. It builds trust, reduces risk, and turns safety from a program into a…
May 25, 2026 · 6:02
Hazard prevention is not a technical function—it’s a leadership behavior. Leaders prevent hazards by shaping the environment, expectations, and conditions in which work happens.…
May 24, 2026 · 6:58
Episode 309 explains that when leaders and the system fail to close the loop on reports or respond with blame, employees learn that reporting near‑misses is futile or dangerous,…
May 15, 2026 · 8:05
Compliance improves most effectively through conversations, not commands. Dr. Ayers emphasizes that safety leaders must shift from “telling employees what the rule is” to…
May 2, 2026 · 27:25
Janel Penaflor (253-214-9484) of Safetysenseinc.com explains that the real power of AI in safety isn’t the technology itself — it’s the quality of the prompts safety…
Apr 24, 2026 · 29:38
Janel Penaflor (253-214-9484) of Safetysenseinc.com explains how AI is transforming the safety profession, not by replacing safety leaders, but by amplifying their ability to…
Apr 19, 2026 · 12:20
Hazard reporting isn’t an employee problem — it’s a leadership system. In Episode 305, Dr. Ayers explains that employees report hazards when leaders make the process safe,…
Apr 18, 2026 · 5:22
Employees don’t stop reporting hazards because they don’t care. They stop because the system teaches them not to. Dr. Ayers breaks down the hidden cultural signals that shut…
Apr 14, 2026 · 5:04
Dr. Ayers explains how supervisors often unintentionally send mixed signals about safety, and how those inconsistencies quietly shape the safety culture more than any written…
Apr 12, 2026 · 9:22
This episode focuses on one of the most powerful — and most misunderstood — drivers of world‑class safety performance: employee engagement. Dr. Ayers explains that engagement is…
Apr 3, 2026 · 29:37
Bryan Haywood ( bryan@safteng.net ) (513-238-8747) is back to tackle a deceptively simple but frequently misunderstood requirement in chemical safety: properly labeling secondary…
Mar 31, 2026 · 3:01
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers thanks everyone for their support. He hopes that you learn from his pain and have a better starting point to build a great safety program.
Mar 29, 2026 · 31:09
Bryan Haywood ( bryan@safteng.net ) (513-238-8747) is back to tackle one of the most misunderstood and high‑risk areas in safety: complex lockout‑tagout (LOTO). While basic LOTO…
Mar 29, 2026 · 6:52
Episode 299 focuses on a powerful but often overlooked truth in safety leadership: big improvements don’t come from big programs — they come from small, consistent actions. Dr.…
Mar 29, 2026 · 6:30
This episode focuses on a subtle but dangerous hazard that shows up in every workplace, every day: assumptions. Dr. Ayers explains that assumptions quietly undermine safety…
Mar 22, 2026 · 5:34
Episode 297 introduces a simple, respectful, and highly effective method for correcting unsafe behavior in the field — a method that takes less than 30 seconds and dramatically…
Mar 22, 2026 · 3:17
Episode 296 centers on a deceptively simple but incredibly powerful leadership tool: one question that sharpens hazard awareness, improves communication, and keeps safety…
Feb 20, 2026 · 33:00
Episode 295 with Bryan Haywood focuses on how to manage complex lockout/tagout (LOTO)—the kind of hazardous‑energy control work that goes far beyond a simple disconnect. The…
Jan 18, 2026 · 6:08
Goals are broad, long‑term outcomes — the “big picture” of what you want your safety program to achieve. Reduce Workplace Injuries and Illnesses Create a safer work environment…
Dec 26, 2025 · 6:51
In this episode, Dr. Ayers challenges safety professionals to stop looking for better opportunities elsewhere and instead become more valuable right where they are. He uses the…
Dec 24, 2025 · 5:33
In this episode, Dr. Ayers speaks to his younger self about becoming more efficient and intentional with time. He focuses on two productivity tools that dramatically improve a…
Dec 20, 2025 · 6:05
Episode 291 is one of Dr. Ayers’ short, practical leadership messages focused on daily planning as a core safety leadership skill. The theme is simple but powerful: your…
Dec 15, 2025 · 25:16
Dr. Laura Sicola—executive communication coach, cognitive linguist, and TEDx speaker—teaches that effective executive presence is built on mastering three core communication…
Nov 30, 2025 · 5:11
-This episode introduces the “eat that frog” concept — a metaphor for tackling your hardest, most important (but least appealing) tasks first. -Dr. Ayers asks the listeners to…
Nov 22, 2025 · 21:00
This episode focuses on how hospitals and healthcare facilities respond when a patient arrives after exposure to hazardous materials. Guest Thomas Price walks through real-world…
Nov 16, 2025 · 8:36
Episode 287 is an 8‑minute technical training segment where Dr. Ayers explains how to calculate the minimum and maximum sampling times for air monitoring during chemical exposure…
Nov 12, 2025 · 24:38
Key Themes from Episode 286 Changing Legal Landscape With marijuana legalization expanding across states, employers face challenges in balancing compliance with safety.…
Oct 31, 2025 · 26:23
Great chat with Dr. Drew Hinton on Electrical Safety and NFPA70 Training Key Themes NFPA 70 Overview The episode centers on NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) and its critical…
Oct 28, 2025 · 3:07
Hazards vs. Risks Hazard: Anything with the potential to cause harm (chemicals, machinery, electricity, noise, etc.). Risk: The probability that harm will occur, combined with…
Oct 16, 2025 · 5:00
🎙️ Core Message The episode explores how personal growth and professional development directly influence workplace safety outcomes. It argues that safety leadership isn’t just…
Oct 13, 2025 · 6:13
🎙️ Core Message This episode highlights the connection between structured professional development and stronger safety performance. It argues that investing in employees’…
Oct 2, 2025 · 8:40
🔑 Key Points Learning from Incidents: A growth mindset reframes mistakes and near-misses as opportunities to learn rather than failures to hide. Adaptability: Workers and…
Oct 1, 2025 · 5:10
🔑 Key Points Common Fears in Safety: Workers may fear retaliation, being labeled as “difficult,” or slowing production when raising safety concerns. Leadership Responsibility:…
Sep 23, 2025 · 6:58
🔑 Key Points Ego as a Barrier: Leaders or workers who let ego drive decisions may dismiss concerns, ignore feedback, or resist change. Impact on Communication: Ego can silence…
Sep 19, 2025 · 35:18
In today's episode we continue discussing Rod Courtney's book "* Habits of a Highly Effective Safety Culture." Today's episode is part 3 and we focus only on habit 5. Previous…
Sep 18, 2025 · 5:27
🌟 Core Message Dr. Ayers speaks directly to his younger self about the importance of public speaking as a safety professional. His central theme is simple but powerful: Avoiding…
Sep 13, 2025 · 7:39
🌟 Core Message Dr. Ayers emphasizes that formal leaders play a crucial supporting role in safety, but support does not mean giving unlimited approval or resources. Effective…
Sep 10, 2025 · 5:01
Key Themes Empowerment over compliance: Dr. Ayers emphasizes that safety leadership isn’t just about enforcing rules—it’s about enabling employees to take ownership of hazard…
Aug 22, 2025 · 28:34
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers talks with Rod Courtney about his book, "8 Habits of a Highly Effective Safety Culture." This is a continuation of Episode 268 where we covered the…
Aug 17, 2025 · 3:58
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Informal Leaders Influence Safety More Than Titles Do Informal leaders often set the tone for how seriously safety is taken. Their attitudes—positive or…
Aug 2, 2025 · 31:56
🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Safety Gets Burdened With Extra Duties Dr. Warren explains that many companies treat safety as the catch‑all department. Common “extra” responsibilities…
Jul 26, 2025 · 26:16
🧠 Guest Expertise Brent Sanger brings over 10 years of experience in transportation safety, with deep knowledge of Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and compliance.…
Jul 6, 2025 · 6:22
Key Themes Frontline Empowerment: The episode emphasizes that employees closest to the work are often the first to spot hazards. Giving them authority to act immediately—rather…
Jul 5, 2025 · 4:57
Episode 269 is a short but powerful reminder from Dr. Ayers about the difference between hearing employees and truly listening to them when they bring up hazards. The distinction…
Jul 3, 2025 · 33:40
In today's episode, Dr. Ayers talks to Rod Courtney about his book "8 Habits of a Highly Effective Safety Culture". I really enjoyed the book and Rod's real world practical…
Jun 27, 2025 · 27:42
Episode 267 features Dr. Ayers in conversation with Matt Herron of the Southwest Research Institute, a respected ergonomics expert and long‑time contributor to the field. The…
Jun 22, 2025 · 6:26
In this short but pointed episode, Dr. Ayers emphasizes that patience is a core leadership skill in occupational safety. He explains that safety programs, cultural shifts, new…
Jun 22, 2025 · 7:53
Episode 265 focuses on a simple but powerful leadership challenge: Are you the kind of safety leader you would personally want to follow? Dr. Ayers reflects on life lessons…
Jun 10, 2025 · 5:19
In this short, practical episode, Dr. Ayers explains a simple leadership strategy that dramatically improves hazard identification: talk less and listen more. When leaders create…
Jun 7, 2025 · 5:03
In this episode, Dr. Ayers tackles a fundamental question every safety leader faces: When is a new hire truly competent to work on their own? He explains that competency is more…
May 30, 2025 · 24:27
Episode 262 features a conversation between Dr. Ayers and Ken Reed, Vice President at TapRooT, focusing on the real purpose and power of Root Cause Analysis (RCA). The discussion…
May 26, 2025 · 3:49
In this episode, Dr. Ayers explains why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools a safety professional can use when delivering training. Instead of relying solely on rules,…
May 23, 2025 · 5:57
In this episode, Dr. Ayers tackles a common trap for safety professionals: trying to take on too many hazards, projects, and initiatives at once. He explains that over‑commitment…
May 18, 2025 · 4:52
In this episode, Dr. Ayers delivers a blunt but important reminder: safety work is not supposed to be easy. He argues that many safety professionals unintentionally create…
May 16, 2025 · 19:45
In this powerful interview, Dr. Ayers speaks with Tracy Krieger of OC Safety about a real-life incident involving an employee experiencing a mental health crisis at work. The…
May 11, 2025 · 5:31
In this episode, Dr. Ayers shares emphasizes that while friendships are natural, they must never interfere with enforcing safety expectations. 🔑 Key Points 👥 1. Friendships at…
May 10, 2025 · 7:38
In this episode, Dr. Ayers challenges a common assumption in safety: we think we’re training employees, but often we’re not. He explains that many organizations bring new hires…
May 3, 2025 · 2:43
In this short episode, Dr. Ayers warns safety professionals about a common productivity trap: falling down “rabbit holes” when trying to answer safety questions. He openly calls…
Apr 27, 2025 · 6:51
In this episode, Dr. Ayers tackles the issue of micromanagement in safety leadership. He challenges the common assumption that micromanagement is caused by “problem employees,”…
Apr 27, 2025 · 4:35
In this episode, Dr. Ayers warns safety professionals against becoming “ticket punchers”—people who focus on checking boxes, collecting credentials, or chasing the next promotion…
Apr 22, 2025 · 8:36
In this episode, Dr. Ayers explains a practical strategy for identifying the employees who will tell you the truth about hazards, even when you’re new to a facility. He…
Apr 19, 2025 · 5:03
In this episode, Dr. Ayers reflects on a conversation with a safety professional who was feeling discouraged, worried about layoffs, and questioning whether to stay in the safety…
Apr 11, 2025 · 24:14
In this episode, Dr. Ayers brings back Phil from Hazmat Scholars to break down the often‑misunderstood topic of Universal Waste Management. Phil previously appeared in Episodes…
Apr 11, 2025 · 6:47
In this episode, Dr. Ayers explains how safety leaders can use gap assessments to move their programs toward real success. The core message is simple but powerful: you can’t…
Apr 6, 2025 · 4:04
In this short but powerful episode, Dr. Ayers explains why safety leaders should lean into the employee’s own safety plan rather than imposing their own. When an employee tells…
Apr 5, 2025 · 3:12
In this short, reflective episode, Dr. Ayers talks about why he chose a career in Occupational Safety—and why every safety professional needs to answer that question for…
Mar 30, 2025 · 5:03
In this episode, Dr. Ayers focuses on one of the most underrated skills in safety leadership: keeping your composure. When something goes wrong, employees instinctively look to…
Mar 26, 2025 · 4:39
In this episode, Dr. Ayers speaks directly to his younger self — and to every safety professional who feels pressure to have all the answers. His message is simple: if you don’t…
Mar 25, 2025 · 4:37
In this episode, Dr. Ayers talks about the most dreaded “F‑word” in safety — FOCUS. Not the kind you lose during a long meeting, but the intentional, uninterrupted time every…
Mar 23, 2025 · 4:27
In this episode, Dr. Ayers challenges safety professionals to examine whether they’re truly being productive or simply busy. According to the episode description, safety work is…
Mar 20, 2025 · 7:46
In this episode, Dr. Ayers talks about the often‑overlooked but essential task of maintaining the lists that track new‑hire orientation and training. These lists are the backbone…
Mar 15, 2025 · 5:25
Dr. Ayers uses a conversation between “older Dr. Ayers” and “younger Dr. Ayers” to drive home a simple but powerful truth: Growth never happens in the comfort zone. Safety…
Mar 9, 2025 · 4:45
Dr. Ayers tackles Imposter Syndrome — the feeling many safety professionals experience when they doubt their own competence, question whether they belong in the role, or fear…
Mar 3, 2025 · 4:23
Dr. Ayers uses a gardening analogy to explain a fundamental truth of safety leadership: You cannot grow a strong safety program from a distance. You must get involved, stay…
Feb 28, 2025 · 29:16
Episode 238 features Dr. Megan Tranter, a well‑known safety career coach, who joins Dr. Ayers to talk about building a purpose‑driven, fulfilling career in occupational safety.…
Feb 27, 2025 · 4:17
In this short but pointed episode, Dr. Ayers warns safety professionals against becoming what he calls a “Seagull Safety Professional.” The metaphor is simple and memorable: A…
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