The Safety Conversation with SHP

Are we sleep walking into a new risk environment borne out of societal intolerance, and where does the issue sit in health and safety's remit?In this special episode of the Safety Conversation podcast, John Seddon at Peoplesafe leads a discussion on the intolerance epidemic and its effect on employer's personal safety.He is joined by Nicole Vazquez and Sue Parker-Tantush, two key voices in the lone working, security and health and safety sectors.The conversation touches on the effects of Covid-19, a less patient public and where this new risk environment sits in the health and safety profession. The podcast also offers some practical solutions including the role of technology that listeners can build into their own strategies.

Having began his career as an Emergency Medical Technician, Jason Killens is now Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust. In this special episode of the Safety Conversation Podcast, he explains how his perspective of health and safety has shifted as he moved into a leadership role from the frontline.

In this special episode of the Safety Conversation podcast, Jason reflects on his career, how the profession has changed (for better or worse) and looks ahead to future trends including the evolution of Proud2bsafe, which has created Proud2beSpeakers, a roster of motivational expert speakers further enhancing P2Bs' offering.

In this episode we speak to NEBOSH Chief Executive Andy Shenstone on the training provider’s recently announced three-year strategy.Andy Shenstone joined NEBOSH in March 2023 and one of the first things on his to-do list was to get to grips with the company’s strategic plan.  “It was perfect timing really,” Andy says reflecting on the process. “The organisation haven't had a a full strategy for some time, so one of my key priorities that I'd agreed with my chair and my board was that we needed to establish a new strategy for the forthcoming period, and that's what we've accomplished.”  Published in April this year, NEBOSH 2024-2027 Strategy – Developing our potential, is formed of seven ‘building blocks’: Assessment and Quality; People and Culture; Learning Partners; Ethical Practice; IT-Enabled Business Transformation; Social Purpose; and Business and Market Development.   The report cites the ILO’s statistic that 2.3 million people die globally every year because of work-related accidents or diseases. In the podcast, Andy says these numbers are motivation for himself and his team and through heavy collaboration with a number of different partners, the charity can make a difference. "We have a real focus on equipping the workforce of the future to get home safe from work,” he says. "Ans that really is the bottom line."

In the third and final of a three-part mini podcast series with both SHP and IFSEC Insider, Senior Technical Consultant at Firechief Global, Matt Humby talks about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries with SHP Editor, Mark Glover.Matt has over 22 years experience in the fire safety industry, and now provides advice and solutions to help mitigate the fire risk with fire safety products for both commercial and residential building projects.The first episode discussed the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, while the second covered regulation and standards, and in our final episode we cover action plans organisations can take to reduce, prevent and mitigate the fire risk.Find out more hereLithium-ion battery fire risks – What you need to know (part one)Lithium-ion battery fire risks – What you need to know (part two)Webinar: Lithium-Ion Battery Fires – A burning issue in today’s worldE-bike and e-scooter safety guidance issuedLithium-Ion battery fire safety – Your questions answeredHow to safely use and store lithium-ion batteries in the workplaceHot spots: fire hazards multiply to threaten construction sites

In the second of a three-part mini podcast series with both SHP and IFSEC Insider, Senior Technical Consultant at Firechief Global, Matt Humby talks about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries with SHP Editor, Mark Glover.Matt has over 22 years experience in the fire safety industry, and now provides advice and solutions to help mitigate the fire risk with fire safety products for both commercial and residential building projects.The first episode discussed the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, while this one will cover regulation and standards, and in the final episode we'll cover action plans organisations can take to reduce, prevent and mitigate the fire risk.Find out more hereLithium-ion battery fire risks – What you need to know (part one)Webinar: Lithium-Ion Battery Fires – A burning issue in today’s worldE-bike and e-scooter safety guidance issuedLithium-Ion battery fire safety – Your questions answeredHow to safely use and store lithium-ion batteries in the workplaceHot spots: fire hazards multiply to threaten construction sites

In the first of a three-part mini podcast series with both SHP and IFSEC Insider, Senior Technical Consultant at Firechief Global, Matt Humby talks about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries with SHP Editor, Mark Glover.Matt has over 22 years experience in the fire safety industry, and now provides advice and solutions to help mitigate the fire risk with fire safety products for both commercial and residential building projects.The first episode discusses the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, while the next will cover regulation and standards, and in the final episode we'll cover action plans organisations can take to reduce, prevent and mitigate the fire risk.Find out more hereWebinar: Lithium-Ion Battery Fires – A burning issue in today’s worldE-bike and e-scooter safety guidance issuedMitigating the risk of Lithium-ion batteries: Eight-step action planHow to safely use and store lithium-ion batteries in the workplaceHot spots: fire hazards multiply to threaten construction sites

Click here to preview the forthcoming three-part podcast mini-series on risks around lithium-ion batteries, with expert Matt Humby, Senior Technical Consultant at Firechief Global.Publishing weekly from Tuesday 12 March on IFSEC Insider and SHP.

In this episode, we speak to inclusive PPE campaigner, Katy Robinson, and chairman of SHP's Editorial Board, Karl Simons, about raising awareness, changing attitudes and creating a movement for tangible change for inclusive PPE.Katy Robinson is a senior project manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council and campaign manager for the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Yorkshire who is also spearheading an inclusive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) campaign targeting the Yorkshire construction sector.Karl Simons, an engineer by trade, took his skill into the military before entering the safety profession working across sectors including facilities and utilities, picking up an OBE along the way – as well as SHP’s most influential award in 2020. He is now co-founder of FYLD, a tech start-up that utilises AI to keep field workers safe, and also chairman of our Editorial Board.Both are supporters of SHP's Inclusive PPE campaign, and in this episode, Katy discusses the need to place more importance on PPE for women and men, highlighting that it's not just the end point of a risk assessment. She also mentions changing attitudes and creating a gold standard for best practice.Then we hear from Karl, who discusses the process of creating a movement, the evolution of raising issues at work, whether physical or mental, and why change starts with the workforce to create a 'learning culture'.Find out more hereCouncil votes to urge government to make change for inclusive PPEProtection for Everyone – SHP launches inclusive PPE campaignHuge step towards inclusive PPE as industry body promises to ensure provision‘I want our readers to feel they can share their own personal stories so others can learn’: Karl Simons on his role as SHP Editorial Board Chairman

Mark Glover speaks to incoming IOSH President Stuart Hughes about his plans for the role and asks former President Lawrence Waterman what he took from the last 12 months.

Scott Gaddis at Intelex joins SHP editor Mark Glover for a special episode of the Safety Conversation that digs down into tech and asks if it really can improve your safety culture.

In this episode of the podcast, SHP Editor Mark Glover speaks to Janet Hadley at Choose Sunrise about alcohol in the workplace.In the final podcast of the year, and as we enter the Christmas party season, we hear from Janet Hadley at Choose Sunrise about how we can go about supporting colleagues in the workplace who might be experiencing issues with alcohol, and the importance of understanding the stigma and attitudes that can get in the way of helping someone. Janet also shares her own experiences with alcohol, and while this isn't a podcast that preaches the merits of not drinking, she explains how a sober curious approach could kick-start a healthier relationship with drink.

SHP Editor Mark Glover speaks to the winner of last year’s SHP Rising Star Award, Jake Newell about what it felt like to achieve one of the sector’s most coveted accolades, and how his work as an asbestos analyst continues to motivate him. This year, according to figures from the HSE, 5000 people in Britain are likely to die prematurely from asbestos exposure. For Jake Newell, these numbers serve as a daily motivation in his role as Asbestos Analyst at Acorn Analytical Services. “I could potentially be saving lives and preventing people from exposure to asbestos,” Jake tells the Safety Conversation Podcast. “I just want to make sure that work is carried out safely.”Asbestos was used extensively as a UK building material in the fifties, sixties and seventies and is still in buildings today. However, those exposed to its fibres (most commonly by those in construction), will not develop symptoms until 10-40 years later. Its use wasn’t banned until 1999, a year later Jake was born. 23 years on he was recognised as SHP’s UK Rising Star for his work in combatting asbestos, an achievement he still finds hard to believe. “I was just over the moon,” he says. Just knowing that my company had seen my hard work and put me forward. It was just like a really good feeling.”

SHP Editor Mark Glover, speaks to Evotix CEO Matthew Elson on technology adoption, attracting talent and why the concept of work/life balance needs a refresh. In a conversation of many strands, Matthew shares his thoughts on why it’s critical to get technology into the hands of frontline workers. “Engaged employees look after safety for themselves and their colleagues, and they're also more productive,” he says. “Why are they more productive? Well, engaged employees are more committed and so they are doing the tasks more effectively, but because they're engaged on safety and contributing to safety.”

In this episode, SHP caught up with Rachel Butler, who is Head of Health, Safety and Risk at property development company, Bruntwood, on her current role and how she got into health and safety from early beginnings where she was working in administration in the construction industry.Rachel discusses her journey moving up in health and safety, the importance of questioning the way things are ‘always’ done, the challenges during the pandemic on construction sites, and calls to advocate health and safety in universities to emphasise how diverse the role can be through graduate schemes.At the end of the podcast, Rachel adds in a few more comments on talent shortage, qualifications and mental health in construction.Additional resources: Lighthouse Club Construction industry helpline  Samaritans  Mind Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)   If you’ve not already subscribed, please do so, to get the latest episodes as soon as they are released. And, if you like what you hear, we’d be grateful if you could rate us, as that will help us get the shows out to a wider audience. Check out the previous episodes on the Safety & Health Podcast hub. Please be sure to stay tuned in to SHPonline.co.uk for the very latest health and safety news. Sign up to the SHP Daily Newsletter, here. 

In this episode, we hear from two speakers from Proud2BSafe – an organisation of motivational speakers who share personal stories about the impact of workplace accidents.  In this podcast we hear from Sean Toon on mental health and why communication is key. And Matt Hazelton, who was a director at a construction firm when a tragic accident occurred resulting in him losing his two brothers and two good friends. Initially Proud2BSafe solely focused on Jason Anker’s story but with the help of more motivational speakers sharing their stories, it aims to spread the word more broadly, change perspectives and help discuss the causes of people not speaking up at work.At the end, I also have a quick chat with Neil Fisher, a client of Proud2BSafe who was shortlisted for SHP’s most influential person in health and safety last year, here, he briefly speaks about what it’s been like to work with the organisation.  Both Sean and Matt have highly motivational stories which aims to inspire and change people's attitudes towards health, safety and wellbeing for the better. Additional resources:  Evolution of a safety speaker – from motivational to inspirational Virtually speaking 30 Days for 30 Years Safety & Health Expo is back!  Safety & Health Expo  If you’ve not already subscribed, please do so, to get the latest episodes as soon as they are released. And, if you like what you hear, we’d be grateful if you could rate us, as that will help us get the shows out to a wider audience.  Check out the previous episodes on the Safety & Health Podcast hub.  Please be sure to stay tuned in to SHPonline.co.uk for the very latest health and safety news.  Sign up to the SHP Daily Newsletter, here.  

In this episode, SHP Editor Mark Glover speaks with Darren Ford, Head of Learning and Development and Organisational Development at Arco, on inspiring and encouraging the next generation into health and safety.How can organisations raise the profile of health and safety as a profession? What can be done to encourage the younger generation into health and safety as a lifelong career? Should established health and safety professionals be mentoring?Mark has a great conversation with Darren about all this and more in our latest episode. You’ll also hear from special guest Katie Dale, who began her career as an apprentice, and who is now a Safety, Health and Environmental Co-Ordinator at Arco.Click here to have a read of Darren Ford’s article on influencing the next generation.Further listening: Starting out in a career in health & safetyor listen to our last episode here: Obstructive sleep apnoea and fleet management

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a recognised condition when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. It results in feeling very tired during the day, issues concentrating, mood swings and headaches. It can be very serious if left untreated. It’s estimated that better diagnosis and treatment could prevent up to 40,000 road accidents a year.Air Products is an industrial gas delivery company with a large fleet of vehicles. One of its experienced drivers Kevin Bird was diagnosed with the condition and in this episode of the Safety and Health Podcast, he tells SHP Editor, Mark Glover, about his symptoms, the shock of being diagnosed with the condition and how it felt to potentially lose his licence and ultimately his livelihood. However, after eventually coming forward and speaking to the firm's Central Distribution Manager, John Davies, John and his team were able to implement a support plan to keep Kevin on the road.

Here we reveal the eight health and safety professionals who make up this year's Editorial Board.

SHP Editor Mark Glover speaks to Nicole Rinaldi, Director of Professional Services at IOSH, about the Institute's enhanced Blueprint tool that helps members to self-assess, learn and record CPD, ultimately guiding users as they progress through their careers.