The Safety Spotlight

Psychological safety is often treated like something you install with a policy. But is it really a systems issue, or a leadership one?In this episode of Safety Spotlight, we sit down with Joan McMillan, Canadian Registered Safety Professional and PhD candidate in developmental psychology, to explore the human side of safety culture.With more than 20 years in health and safety, Joan brings a perspective grounded in behavior, emotional intelligence, and organizational development. We discuss why fear quietly undermines psychological safety, how emotional intelligence shapes leadership effectiveness, and why checklists alone cannot build trust.Topics include:• The five components of emotional intelligence• Warning signs of low EQ in leaders• Why judgment and defensiveness damage culture• The limits of systemizing psychological safety• How trust and connection drive real performanceIf you’re responsible for safety, culture, or leading people, this episode challenges you to look beyond compliance and into behavior.See Joan’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts/

A lot of companies say “safety first.” Darren Varga, Director of EHS at Aecon Group Inc., argues that misses the point. If people do not trust the system, they stop talking, and that is when risk quietly stacks up.In this episode of The Safety Spotlight, Darren shares how an ergonomics and biomechanics background, along with time as a Ministry of Labour inspector and global consultant, has shaped a practical approach to safety: quantify risk, design work that makes sense, and treat workers like the experts they are.We also get into what “safety culture” actually means in real life. Darren’s answer is blunt: there is no magic KPI or slogan that fixes it. Trust is the lever, and trust is built through listening, giving workers a voice, and following up every single time, even on “small” issues.We discuss:Why “layered skills” make safety pros more effective, and how Darren built that stack across industries and rolesHow to spot risk faster by walking the floor with workers and asking one question: “What’s the worst part of the job?”How ergonomic redesign becomes a business case when you quantify risk and tie it to efficiency gainsWhy change management gets easy when the tool is simple, useful, and worker-approvedThe one thing “safety culture” is really built on: trust, plus follow-throughA practical voice-of-worker system: QR codes on hard hats feeding safety and the Joint Health and Safety CommitteeWhat happens when workers have no voice, and why complaints, conflict, and cost explodeLeading on high-profile, first-of-a-kind projects: emergency readiness, clear communication, and relationships with real decision-makersMental health in construction, the Ambassador Program approach, and why “tough-guy culture” is a liabilityLeadership that actually works: servant leadership, Maxwell’s five levels, and treating dignity as a daily practiceLooking for an all-in-one compliance platform? See all that BIS Safety Software has to offer at https://bissafety.ca/

Silica exposure is one of the oldest known occupational hazards in the world, yet it remains widely misunderstood, under-prioritized, and routinely mismanaged across modern industries. In this episode of The Safety Spotlight, we sit down with Nayab Sultan, an occupational and environmental health specialist with decades of international experience, to unpack why silica continues to pose such a serious and often invisible risk to workers today. Drawing on real-world cases from construction, mining, infrastructure, and global health settings, Nayab explains how respirable crystalline silica behaves in the body, why there is effectively no safe level of exposure, and how silicosis can develop silently over years or, in extreme cases, within weeks. He also explores why silicosis is frequently misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, the long-term consequences of that failure, and how gaps in professional training and risk anticipation continue to put people at risk. The conversation goes beyond compliance checklists to address deeper system issues, including inconsistent education standards for safety professionals, the lack of long-term exposure tracking for transient workers, and the false sense of safety created by familiarity and routine. We also discuss how emerging AI tools are beginning to change early detection and diagnosis, particularly in resource-limited environments, and what lessons Canada still needs to learn from global silica hotspots. This episode is a clear reminder that silicosis and silica-related diseases are entirely preventable, but only if risk is recognized early, controls are taken seriously, and uncomfortable conversations are not avoided.What You’ll Learn Why silica exposure is fundamentally different from many other workplace hazardsHow silicosis develops, including simple, accelerated, and acute formsWhy silica is often misdiagnosed as tuberculosis and why that mattersHow low-level exposure over time can be just as dangerous as short-term high exposureWhere current safety training and awareness fall shortWhy “getting the job done” culture quietly drives long-term health outcomesHow AI is starting to improve diagnosis and what that could mean for worker health

"If I don't have room to improve, the system is broken." That is the philosophy that drives Rick Sikora, CEO of Cranemasters. In this episode of The Safety Spotlight, Rick shares why he questioned the validity of a 97% audit score - and why questioning what we do is the only way to fight complacency.Rick breaks down the critical difference between "common sense" and "common knowledge," especially for the new generation of workers entering the trades. He shares powerful stories from the field, including why he challenges his instructors to let students lead the conversation and why he believes "tickets" are just the beginning of the learning journey, not the end.Cranemasters Website: https://cranemasters.ca

In this episode of Safety Spotlight, we sit down with Tyler Foley, a former stuntman turned safety consultant and the founder of Total Buy-In HSE Consulting. Tyler shares his unique backstory, moving from performing six-story high falls into cardboard boxes to managing safety in high-risk industries, revealing how the principles of stunt work - like engineering controls and redundancy - directly translate to the job site. Throughout the conversation, Tyler challenges the traditional "zero incident" mindset, arguing instead for "failing safely" - designing systems where human error is anticipated but the consequences are minimized. He discusses the dangers of siloed safety departments and explains why a true safety culture is just "culture," where everyone from the C-suite to the frontline is aligned and empowered. We also explore Tyler's practical strategies for identifying hidden influencers (the "nodes") in a workforce, transforming toolbox talks from rote reading into engaging dialogues, and the importance of the "Mentor, Peer, Student" framework for professional growth. Tyler shares a powerful story about transforming a rapidly growing construction company by making leadership personal, visible, and deeply invested in the "family" aspect of the team. Whether you are a safety professional, a supervisor, or a business leader, Tyler's perspective on human factors, authentic communication, and the reality of risk offers a fresh, practical approach to protecting your team. Tyler's Website: https://totalbuyin.com/ Tyler's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seantylerfoley/

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Rasoul, a Top Woman in Safety and safety leader at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada. Sarah shares how an unexpected career path led her into occupational health and safety, and why proactive,prevention-focused work became her mission. She breaks down the power of a strong communication culture, the importance of worker engagement, and how tools like near miss analysis and the PDCA cycle drive meaningful improvements on the floor. We also explore her experience with psychological health and safety, Toyota’s approach to continuous improvement, the value of recognition programs, and how competency and confidence grow when workers are empowered to speak up. Sarah offers candid advice for new safety professionals and the role mentorship has played in her own development. See Sarah Rasoul story and many more at https:bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts/

Safety did not start as the headline for Jeff Mulligan, it became the mission. In this episode of Safety Spotlight, Jeff, COO of Astec Safety and an early catalyst behind Utility Safety Partners, explains how risk management evolved from a back-office function into a leadership priority. He also exposes the next big challenge facing safety leaders everywhere: aging, hidden infrastructure.How does a finance and public policy veteran become a champion for prevention and safety leadership in Alberta? Jeff connects boardroom strategy with field realities, drawing on his experience in politics, banking, and early fiber optic deployments to show how business discipline and on-site insight can coexist.Jeff’s message is clear: treating safety as compliance leaves value on the table, while treating it as strategy protects people, assets, and communities. The stakes are growing as experienced hands retire and institutional knowledge fades. If organizations fail to capture and share that expertise, preventable failures will follow.He reflects on a catastrophic explosion in Sherwood Park that galvanized Alberta’s damage prevention movement, as well as Astec’s turnaround from deep losses to durable performance. His perspective is grounded yet optimistic: tough problems yield to clear ownership, good data, and consistent follow-through.What You’ll Learn:Quiet risks in rural and legacy utilities where maps and markings lag the workWhy safety leadership belongs at the executive table, not buried in HR or financeHow AI and digital tools can amplify expert trainers rather than replace themThe coming knowledge transfer crunch as veteran tradespeople and safety leaders retireFor organizations ready to move beyond audits and slogans, Jeff offers a blueprint: make safety personal, elevate it to strategy, and stop underestimating what is underground.See Jeff’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

Linda Miller never set out to transform how people move and work. Her early goal as a rehabilitation specialist was to help them recover. But after seeing how preventable injuries could derail entire careers, she started asking a powerful question: why are we treating the damage instead of preventing it?That question led her to ergonomics and a lifelong mission to design work that fits people, not the other way around. Her first major project—a series of repetitive strain injuries at a lumber facility—sparked a philosophy that has guided her work ever since.“Instead of forcing people to adapt to their work, design work to fit the people who do it.”From hospitals to construction sites, Linda’s company EWI Works has helped organizations rethink safety through a human-centered lens. Her approach goes beyond compliance to focus on well-being, concentration, and performance, proving that better design leads to healthier, more productive teams.This episode is a must-listen for leaders who want to prevent injuries before they happen and build workplaces where people can truly thrive.See Linda’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

In this powerful episode of Safety Spotlight, we sit down with Spencer Beach, a third-generation tradesman turned professional safety speaker, whose life was forever changed by a devastating workplace fire in 2003. What followed was more than a physical recovery. It was a complete transformation in how he understood safety, leadership, and purpose.Spencer recounts the day everything changed, the chemical shortcut that led to a house explosion, and the production pressures that caused him to ignore his gut instinct. With raw emotion and clarity, he unpacks how culture, communication breakdowns, and misplaced priorities can lead to life-altering consequences.You’ll hear:Why gut instinct is often our first and best safety toolHow reframing “hazards” as “energy” can change how we see riskThe emotional and cultural roots that separate average programs from effective onesWhy near misses matter, and how to give workers “eyes in the back of their head”How to burst the “safety bubble” and create awareness that truly sticksThis episode is not just a cautionary tale. It is a call to rethink safety as a living part of leadership and culture. Spencer’s story is a reminder that safety isn’t paperwork or policy—it’s people, purpose, and the choices we make under pressure.See Spencer’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

In this episode of Safety Spotlight, we sit down with Mike Schwarz, CEO of MyZone AI, for a candid look at the AI revolution already transforming how businesses operate. From his early dot-com ventures to leading large-scale automation projects, Mike shares real insights on how organizations can harness AI for massive ROI.He reveals how automation can streamline up to 90% of operations, why his team only takes on projects that deliver 10x returns, and how AI is reshaping safety, education, and high-risk industries through predictive analytics and dynamic learning systems.We cover:How to identify automation opportunities in any businessWhat “human in the loop” really means and why it mattersPractical AI applications in safety and frontline operationsWhy delaying adoption could cost companies their competitive edge“Some companies are still riding horses while others are driving Teslas.”Whether you are a safety leader, tech skeptic, or startup founder, this episode will change how you see AI’s role in the workplace and what it means for the future of human performance.See Mike’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

In this episode of Safety Spotlight, we sit down with Jeff “Odie” Espenship, former A-10 Warthog pilot and founder of Target Leadership, for an unforgettable conversation about safety, culture, and the choices that define leadership.Odie shares hard-earned lessons from 10,000 feet up and from rock bottom, revealing how the smallest decisions can change everything. His message is clear: safety isn’t about rules, it’s about character, empathy, and accountability when it matters most.What You’ll Learn:From Cockpit to Culture: How Odie went from airshows to safety keynotes, and why culture eats checklists for breakfastThe Shortcut That Changed Everything: The devastating true story of one small deviation and the origin of Jeff’s missionNormalization of Deviance: Why “just this once” is never just onceLeadership Is Emotional: If you want people to care about safety, start with empathy, not enforcementWhat Real Leadership Looks Like: It’s not about titles, it’s about doing the right thing when no one is watchingSee Odie’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

From Fulbright scholar to Facebook Europe’s early days to bestselling author, Mehmet Baha’s journey is anything but ordinary.In this episode of Safety Spotlight, Baha joins us from Berlin to unpack what psychological safety really means and why it is the backbone of high-performing, human-centered workplaces. We dig into the practical side of leadership, including how to build trust, communicate with purpose, and lead with empathy, even in the age of AI.Baha shares frameworks and real-world examples, including how one bank rewired its culture and how Google embraces “intelligent mistakes” as a source of growth. His insights go beyond theory to show how psychological safety drives innovation, performance, and well-being.If you are a frontline leader, executive, or anyone tired of lip service and ready for real change, this episode offers actionable strategies to make your team safer, stronger, and more resilient.See Baha’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

Join a conversation with Greg “Boss” Wooldridge, the only leader to command the U.S. Navy Blue Angels three times, as he translates elite aviation lessons into everyday leadership that scales safety and results. From carrier decks to corporate operations, Greg shows how trust built under pressure enables teams to perform with consistency without compromising safety.Greg’s path started on aircraft carriers and now continues at FedEx, where he applies high-reliability habits to shape a durable safety culture. In this episode, he breaks down leadership practices that actually travel: concise, blame-free debriefs that fuel continuous improvement, humility that invites candor, and the disciplined pursuit of excellence that businesses can adapt without the theatrics of an air show. He also shares the human side of command, including how to balance relentless standards with family and mentorship, and why legacy is measured in the next generation of leaders.What you’ll learn:How to build trust deliberately so teams stay composed when stakes are highHow to run concise, blame-free debriefs that drive continuous improvementHow to make learning routine through simple leadership rhythmsHow to align accountability with action, not just intentHow high-reliability habits from aviation apply to construction, healthcare, tech, and moreSee Greg’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts/.

Sit down with Dr. Tom Krause, behavior-based safety pioneer, co-founder of BST (now within DEKRA), and partner at Krause Bell Group as he traces how safety leadership has fundamentally changed over the decades. From a foundation in clinical psychology to industry-wide innovation, Dr. Krause explains why behavior must be understood in context and how stopping at “the employee is at fault” blocks real improvement.The discussion connects Deming’s thinking to modern practice, examines where Heinrich’s model can mislead leaders, and tackles cultural barriers that stall progress. Dr. Krause also unpacks how decision analysis prevents serious harm before it happens, shares lessons from NASA’s post‑Columbia journey, and shows why upward communication and authentic leadership sponsorship are non‑negotiable for a resilient safety culture.Whether leading EHS, running operations, or simply committed to safer work, this conversation distills decades of field experience into practical insight. Plug in to challenge assumptions, find better questions, and redefine what effective safety leadership looks like today.See Corrie’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

In this episode of Safety Spotlight, Corrie Pitzer, founder of SafeMap International, dives into the complex and often counterintuitive world of workplace safety. From underground mining disasters to redefining what it means to be “safe,” Corrie shares his global journey of challenging traditional safety paradigms.He explains why overprotection can create “paralysis by safety,” how risk homeostasis shapes behavior, and why readiness—not rules—is the real measure of a safe organization. Through gripping stories, research, and field experience, Corrie shows how safety must evolve from rigid systems to dynamic risk discovery, where people aren’t the problem, they’re the solution.This episode is essential listening for safety professionals, operational leaders, and anyone ready to rethink how we manage risk, develop resilience, and build cultures that adapt instead of react.See Corrie’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

Slip up in aviation? You investigate it, learn from it, and build systems to stop it from happening again.Slip up in a lab with a deadly pathogen? You might start a pandemic.In this episode of Safety Spotlight, Luca Filippo shares how his journey from helicopter pilot in Brazil to biosafety consultant revealed a truth most industries miss: system safety isn’t just for airplanes. It’s for any workplace where the margin for error is razor-thin.Luca explains how aviation’s decades of lessons on human factors, incident reporting, and safety culture can reshape the way high-risk labs manage biological hazards.We talk:Why general aviation needed a safety wake-up callWhat biosafety gets wrong about incident pyramidsHow to teach people who’ve “never crashed” to prepare like they willAnd what every safety pro should do before opening their mouth: listenIf you’ve ever wondered how system thinking applies beyond aircraft and into the future of biosafety, this episode will change how you see risk and responsibility.See Luca’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

What if your workplace made people laugh more and report safety issues more? What if culture wasn’t just a “nice-to-have” but your greatest competitive advantage?In this episode of Safety Spotlight, Mike Kerr, international speaker and workplace culture expert, makes one thing clear: work shouldn’t suck the life out of people.With over 25 years of research, storytelling, and practical insight, Mike shares how humor in the workplace isn’t about punchlines—it’s about psychological safety, creativity, communication, and better decision-making on the front lines.Mike breaks down:How toxic culture silently sabotages safety performanceWhy humor improves retention, engagement, and reportingWhat psychological safety really means and how to build itReal stories from workplaces that got it right (and those that didn’t)He also challenges the classic Monday morning dread with a powerful question: what if your people actually wanted to come to work?“We know bringing more humor into a workplace moves the numbers in all the right directions. There’s nothing trivial about it.” – Mike KerrIf you care about safety, culture, or simply making work less soul-crushing, this episode will change how you lead.See Mike’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

What does true safety excellence look like in 2025? How do we make the safe choice the easy choice? And how can organizations move beyond compliance to build a culture that actually drives results?In this episode of Safety Spotlight, Shawn Galloway, global safety strategist, author, and CEO of ProAct Safety, explores how safety culture must evolve to meet modern challenges. From psychological safety and human performance to Lean BBS and strategy execution, Shawn brings clarity to the complexity of building workplaces that don’t just prevent harm but thrive.Drawing on over 25 years of experience across industries, he outlines the five capacities that drive safety excellence and explains why misaligned systems and data are often the hidden cause of stagnation.Shawn breaks down:Why system failures and cultural gaps derail even mature safety programsThe 5 key capacities that define safety excellence: systems, leadership, engagement, culture, and strategyHow to shift from lagging indicators to value-based safety metricsThe case for Lean Behavior-Based Safety (BBS)Why ownership starts at the sharp end of the stick, not the boardroomHis key message:“People support what they help to create. And culture change happens best from within.”If your organization is stuck on a plateau or simply ready to level up, this episode offers a clear roadmap for evolving your safety approach with strategy, simplicity, and purpose.See Shawn’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

What can safety professionals learn from life on the frontlines of policing? In this episode, former officer and frontline policing veteran Catlin Chiasson joins us to offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look into how empathy, communication, and evolving technologies are shaping the future of safety inside and outside law enforcement.With more than 14 years of policing experience across Indigenous and urban communities, including the Edmonton Police Service, Catlin sheds light on the emotional realities behind the uniform. He explains why trust is never guaranteed and how officers juggle split-second decisions with compassion in high-risk environments.Whether you are a frontline supervisor, safety officer, or executive leader, Catlin’s insights offer a powerful reminder. At the end of the day, it is people, not policies, that make safety work.Catlin reflects on:The mindset required to communicate under extreme pressureWhat policing in high-risk Indigenous and urban settings has taught him about trustWhy empathy and “treating people like people” is not a soft skill, it is a survival skillThe growing role of technology in transparency (body cams, in-vehicle cameras, AI tools)How debriefs, open-door leadership, and mental-health supports build longevity in high-pressure careersHis biggest lesson?“Speak to the person in the uniform, not the uniform itself.”If you have ever wondered how frontline safety leaders stay grounded while facing the worst days of people’s lives, this episode is a must-listen. Catlin’s story is a powerful call to action for human-first policing, safer communities, and a deeper understanding of the people behind the badge.See Catlin’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.

What happens when we stop treating safety as rules and checklists and start focusing on people, connection, and how adults really learn? In this episode of Safety Spotlight, Juliana Bley, Brazilian work psychologist and founder of Safety Lab, shares insights from over 25 years of experience bringing human factors and learning design into high-risk industries around the world.Juliana has worked with organizations across oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, energy, and healthcare. From global giants like Coca-Cola to safety labs in Brazil and Portugal, she’s seen how traditional safety training often fails to connect—and what can be done differently. Her mission is simple: create learning environments that engage hearts, heads, and hands, not just rules on paper.Juliana reflects on:Why traditional safety training feels boring and repetitive, and how to change itThe role of empathy and humility in safety leadershipHow humor, storytelling, and active listening transform engagementLessons from her Safety Lab, where over 1,000 professionals have learned new approaches to adult learningWhy systemic change requires precision, not noise, and how “acupuncture” can model effective change managementThe importance of psychological safety and collaborative behaviors in high-risk industriesHer biggest takeaway:“We have to stop doing safety for people and start doing safety with people.”If you’ve ever wondered why safety talks don’t stick, why rules alone don’t change behavior, or how to build a culture where people genuinely want to engage, this episode is essential listening. Juliana’s stories and strategies will challenge assumptions and inspire a new way forward.See Juliana’s story and many more at https://bissafety.ca/safety-spotlight-podcasts.