Various kinds of disasters pose a wide spectrum of respiratory hazards for first responders, so how can they be kept safe? Dennis Terpin, Ph.D. joins the SafetyPod to discuss key topics related to this issue, such as the elements of hazard and risk assessment for those types of disasters; how health and safety planning vary in terms of the type of disaster and how this impacts respiratory safety; the key components of a respiratory protection program in disaster scenarios; and how the RAIN model applies to protecting responders’ from respiratory hazards during disaster response.

Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering their mission. Visit www.nfpa.org to learn more.

Recent advancements in AI are already changing the way safety professionals protect their workers. But as the technology continues to evolve, the effect AI has on workplace safety will likely only intensify, as a new norm begins to take shape. In this episode, R. Mukund, founder and CEO of Benchmark Gensuite, joins the OH&S SafetyPod to discuss how AI is enhancing safety measures across industries, how this technology plays into compliance issues and what the future might hold for AI’s role in workplace safety.

When it comes to workplace safety, standards compliance only gets you so far. Bartholomew Jay from the NFPA joins the podcast to delve into the critical nature of safety training beyond basic compliance to prevent injuries and operational disruptions. Jae discusses the dynamic nature of safety codes and the importance of staying current with emerging safety trends, technologies, and best practices to enhance workplace safety and operational continuity. This episode is particularly valuable for those looking to deepen their understanding of how proactive safety training contributes to not just safety, but overall business resilience.

Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering their mission. Visit www.nfpa.org to learn more.

After ten years of accident-free operation at Leeco Steel's Houston facility, Chad Schuh and Ben Kincheloe — Leeco's VP of operations and director of Safety, respectively — join the OH&S SafetyPod to discuss the company's approach to safety culture, what strategies Leeco put in place to achieve a decade without incident at its Houston location and what other companies looking to emulate Leeco’s milestone can do to mitigate worker risk without sacrificing company-wide productivity.

Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association

Empower Your Business with Global Safety Solutions from the Experts Developed by leading experts, NFPA products and solutions help your business improve performance to complete more projects, retain top talent, increase profits, and help reduce loss or damage to people and property. Contact an NFPA Enterprise Specialist today for a customized recommendation of the best NFPA products and services to help meet your business goals. To learn more, visit www.nfpa.org/enterprisesales.

Workplace violence, harassment and mental health continue to be key concerns for workers. But the big picture regarding the true state of these serious matters often remains unclear. Elissa Rossi, VP of compliance advisory services at Traliant, joins the OH&S SafetyPod to discuss Traliant’s 2024 employee survey report on this topic, giving voice to over 1,000 workers. We’ll address some of the study's most significant findings, the impact of hybrid work models and what employers can do to combat workplace violence, harassment and mental health in their organizations.

Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association

Empower Your Business with Global Safety Solutions from the Experts Developed by leading experts, NFPA products and solutions help your business improve performance to complete more projects, retain top talent, increase profits, and help reduce loss or damage to people and property. Contact an NFPA Enterprise Specialist today for a customized recommendation of the best NFPA products and services to help meet your business goals. To learn more, visit www.nfpa.org/enterprisesales.

Workplace drug testing has existed for decades with lab-based urine testing being the dominant test method for much of that time. However, new technologies have ushered in new approaches, which could have come at a better time given how recreational marijuana laws could impact worker safety. Bill Current, the president and founder of the Current Consulting Group, joins the OH&S SafetyPod to talk about those laws, innovations such as oral fluid testing, and how those technologies are helping employers maintain safe and healthy workplaces.

Sponsored by OraSure Technologies

OraSure’s drug and alcohol testing portfolio is a minimally invasive, observed collection to detect recent drug use. The Intercept® and OralTox® Oral Fluid Tests offer a simple collection process, reduce sample tampering, and provide accurate results. Q.E.D., OraSure’s point-of-care alcohol test, offers quantitative ethanol detection with a high correlation to blood levels, and SwabTek our newest product launch can detect drugs on surfaces, and in suspected paraphernalia, within 30 seconds. Visit www.orasure.com to learn more.

As Women’s History Month and Women in Construction Week fall in March, OH&S’s SafetyPod examines the role of women in worker safety. Shawna Fraser Nagle, MS, CSP, CHST, CUSP, the Vice President of Safety at Newton, Mass.-headquartered Fraser Engineering Co. Inc., joins the podcast to discuss her experience in workplace safety, as well as the unique abilities and value that women bring to worker safety. Other topics discussed include how safety organizations are cultivating that value, and the future of women in workplace safety.

Sponsored by Columbia Southern University

For 30 years, Columbia Southern University has been a leader in occupational safety and health education. Taught by experienced safety experts, CSU’s bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in occupational safety and health are recognized by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as Graduate Safety Practitioner® Qualified Academic Programs. Visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu/OHS to learn more.

Occupational Health & Safety’s Executive Editor David Kopf and Content Editor Robert Yaniz, Jr. kick off the new year by talking about a few safety initiatives and trends that will impact the next 12 months. Those developments, include efforts to combat workplace overdose deaths, address worker mental health, child labor investigations and more “tailored” PPE design. Additionally, Kopf and Yaniz also preview some of the editorial efforts OH&S has in the works for 2024, including our webinar programs, event coverage, online features and more.