Safety Labs by Safety Products Global

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Dr. Simon Goncharenko, a respected thought leader and author on a mission to make safety management theory more accessible. He examines why many organizations continue to rely on specific philosophies, frameworks and metrics to manage safety, even as serious injuries and fatalities remain stubbornly high. He questions what established measures, such as TRIR, tell us and where they can distract attention from more meaningful risk.Known for challenging narrow thinking in safety management, Simon revisits key concepts, including behavior-based safety and safety culture, highlighting the crucial gaps between theory and practice. Throughout the interview, Simon returns to a central theme: safety is not a single-solution challenge. He encourages EHS professionals to broaden their approach, push boundaries and resist over-reliance on specific ideas. Safety is a journey, not a destination.Simon’s safety management books:Save Lives: Pushing Boundaries in Human FactorsOperationalizing Twenty-First Century SafetyFind out more about Simon’s work: Save Lives Global – Safety ConsultingDr. Simon Goncharenko on LinkedIn: Dr. Simon G. | 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

Diane Chadwick-Jones, former BP safety leader and researcher on incentives, explains why tying pay to injury rates can backfire. She recounts how policies suppressed reporting, how BP shifted to peer recognition, and why transparency and supportive leadership matter. Practical tips cover influencing executives, changing belief systems, and training future safety professionals.

Leslie Rex Stockel, Associate Professor of Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology at Oklahoma State University, brings decades of safety education and leadership. She traces safety thinking from early management theories through Heinrich, behavior-based safety, and human performance. Leslie warns against chasing silver bullets, stresses balancing technical and cultural safety, and urges steady, practical improvement.

Martijn Flinterman, a sociologist and expert in organizational safety, delves into the complexities of safety management. He challenges traditional views, asserting that a narrow focus on accidents can obscure broader safety insights. Martijn discusses the dangers of rigid safety categories and underscores the importance of learning from exceptions. He introduces concepts like harmony bias and constructive distrust, advocating for open communication and reflexivity in safety practices. This thought-provoking conversation refines how safety professionals can approach risks and uncertainties.

Ben Goodheart, human-centered safety consultant and founder of Magpie Human Systems, champions applying design thinking to safety. He discusses empathizing with workers, rapid prototyping and small experiments. Conversations cover co-creation, using improv for ideation, failing small, and practical examples like voice reporting that changed reporting behavior.

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.