The Occupational Safety Leadership Podcast

Episode 233 - Wendy Buckley - Lithium Fire Hazards

In this episode, Dr. Ayers sits down with Wendy Buckley of Starz Hazmat to break down the rapidly growing risks associated with lithium batteries — from everyday consumer cells to large industrial packs. Wendy explains why lithium‑related fires behave differently, why traditional fire protection often fails, and what safety leaders must do to prepare their facilities.

 

🧠 Key Themes

1. Lithium Batteries Pose Unique Fire Hazards

Wendy explains:

• Lithium fires burn hotter and faster than typical Class A/B fires.

• They can enter thermal runaway, causing re‑ignition even after the flame appears out.

• Damaged, overcharged, or defective cells are the most common ignition sources. Sources:

 

2. Standard Fire Extinguishers Are Not Enough

A major point in the episode:

• Class D fire extinguishers are required for lithium metal fires.

• Traditional ABC extinguishers are ineffective and can even worsen the situation. Sources:

 

3. Best Practices for Facilities Handling Lithium Batteries

Wendy highlights several industry‑leading practices:

• Bring your local fire department into the facility so they understand the hazards and layout before an emergency occurs.

• Store lithium batteries in designated, fire‑resistant areas.

• Implement strict controls for charging, handling, and disposal.

• Train employees on early signs of battery failure (swelling, heat, odor). Sources:

 

4. Emergency Response Considerations

Lithium fires require:

• Specialized extinguishing agents

• Longer cooling periods

• Isolation of affected materials

• Clear communication with emergency responders

Wendy stresses that preparedness and pre‑planning are essential.

 

🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• Lithium hazards are increasing as more equipment relies on rechargeable batteries.

• Fire protection must be upgraded — ABC extinguishers alone won’t cut it.

• Partner with your fire department before an incident occurs.

• Training and early detection are critical to preventing catastrophic events.

Episode 232 - Occupational Safety - The plan is never going to be perfect

Dr. Ayers challenges safety professionals to stop waiting for the perfect plan before taking action. In safety, hesitation can be more dangerous than an imperfect approach. Progress happens when leaders move forward, adjust, and improve — not when they stall trying to get everything flawless.

 

🧠 Key Themes

1. Perfectionism Slows Safety Down

• Safety pros often over‑analyze hazards, controls, and procedures.

• This leads to paralysis by analysis, delaying needed action.

• Real‑world safety requires timely decisions, not perfect ones.

2. Action Creates Momentum

Dr. Ayers emphasizes:

• Start with the best plan you have today.

• Implement it.

• Gather feedback.

• Improve it as you go. This iterative approach is far more effective than waiting for a perfect solution.

3. Safety Is Dynamic

• Conditions change.

• People change.

• Workflows change. A “perfect plan” doesn’t exist because the environment is always evolving.

4. Leaders Must Model Decisiveness

Employees watch how safety leaders respond:

• Do they act?

• Do they adapt?

• Do they get stuck in planning mode? Taking action builds credibility and trust.

 

🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• Don’t wait — act. Improvement comes from iteration, not perfection.

• Use real‑world feedback to refine your plan.

• Model decisiveness so employees feel confident following your lead.

• Remember: A good plan executed today beats a perfect plan executed too late.

Episode 231 - Occupational Safety - Start Making a list of things to Stop Doing

Dr. Ayers challenges safety professionals to take a hard, honest look at their daily habits and routines — not to add more tasks, but to identify what they need to stop doing. The episode emphasizes that eliminating unproductive behaviors is just as important as adopting new ones.

 

🧠 Key Themes

1. Self‑Examination Is a Leadership Skill

Dr. Ayers encourages listeners to:

• Step back and evaluate how they work

• Identify habits that drain time, energy, or focus

• Recognize behaviors that no longer serve their mission

This requires honesty and intentional reflection.

2. Stopping Is Often More Powerful Than Starting

Many safety pros try to improve by adding:

• More initiatives

• More meetings

• More documentation

• More tasks

But the real breakthrough often comes from removing the unnecessary.

3. The “Stop Doing” List

The episode suggests creating a personal list of things to stop doing, such as:

• Over‑explaining

• Micromanaging

• Taking on tasks that belong to others

• Saying yes to everything

• Getting stuck in perfectionism

This frees up time for high‑value work.

4. Change Requires Intentionality

Dr. Ayers stresses that:

• You must consciously choose what to stop

• You must revisit the list regularly

• You must hold yourself accountable

Stopping is a discipline, not a one‑time exercise.

 

🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• You can’t grow if you don’t let go.

• Stopping low‑value habits creates space for meaningful work.

• Self‑reflection is a core safety leadership competency.

• A “stop doing” list is a practical tool for personal and professional improvement.

Episode 230 - When is a Chemical considered a Hazardous Waste

Dr. Ayers brings back Phil from HAZMAT Scholar to break down one of the most confusing topics in environmental and safety compliance: When does a chemical officially become a hazardous waste?

The episode focuses on helping safety leaders understand the regulatory triggers, classifications, and practical decision‑making needed to stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes.

 

🧠 Key Themes

1. The Moment of “Discard Intent”

Phil explains that a chemical becomes a hazardous waste the moment you decide it will no longer be used — not when it’s thrown away. This includes:

• Expired chemicals

• Off‑spec materials

• Unwanted leftovers

• Containers that can’t be reused

This is a major point many facilities misunderstand.

 

2. EPA Hazardous Waste Classifications

The episode walks through the four major categories:

• F‑listed wastes (non‑specific sources)

• K‑listed wastes (specific industries)

• P‑listed and U‑listed wastes (commercial chemical products)

• Characteristic wastes (ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic)

Phil emphasizes that characteristics often catch people off guard — especially ignitability and toxicity.

 

3. Generator Status Matters

Your hazardous waste volume determines your regulatory burden:

• Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG)

• Small Quantity Generator (SQG)

• Large Quantity Generator (LQG)

Each category has different requirements for storage, labeling, inspections, and emergency planning.

 

4. Practical Disposal Strategies

Dr. Ayers and Phil discuss:

• How to properly label waste containers

• Why mixing wastes can create violations

• When to use a permitted TSDF

• How to avoid “unknown waste” situations

• Why training is essential for anyone handling chemicals

 

🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• Waste begins at the moment of discard intent — not disposal.

• Know your waste streams and classify them correctly.

• Generator status drives your compliance obligations.

• Training and documentation are your strongest defenses in an audit.

Episode 229 - Leave your desk

Dr. Ayers urges safety professionals to get out from behind their desks and spend more time engaging directly with the workforce. Real safety leadership happens in the field — not in the comfort of an office chair.

 

🧠 Key Themes

1. Safety Happens Where the Work Happens

The episode emphasizes that hazards aren’t found in spreadsheets or emails — they’re found:

• On the floor

• In work areas

• Around equipment

• In day‑to‑day tasks

You can’t influence what you don’t see.

 

2. Talk to Employees — Don’t Just Observe

Dr. Ayers stresses the importance of:

• Asking workers what challenges they face

• Listening to their concerns

• Understanding the real conditions of the job

• Building trust through presence and conversation

Employees often know the hazards long before leadership does.

 

3. Hazard Elimination Requires Engagement

The episode reinforces that:

• You can’t eliminate hazards from your desk

• You need to see the work, tools, and environment firsthand

• Field presence leads to better decisions and faster corrections

This is where credibility is built.

 

4. Comfort Is the Enemy of Awareness

Staying at your desk feels productive — but it’s deceptive. Safety leaders must intentionally break the habit of:

• Hiding behind paperwork

• Relying solely on reports

• Assuming they know what’s happening in the field

Real insight comes from being present.

 

🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• Presence is a safety control.

• Your desk is the least important place you work.

• Talk to employees — they’re your best hazard detectors.

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Episode 228 - Psychological Safety with Tracy Krieger - Part 2

On today's episode, Dr. Ayers speaks to repeat guest Tracy Krieger of Safety OC.  This is a continuation of episode 19 where we discussed psychological safety and what companies can do to help employees.  Tracy discusses performing a baseline survey and then acting on those results.

Episode 227 - Occupational Safety - Deconstructive Feedback

Dr. Ayers breaks down how safety professionals should handle deconstructive feedback — the kind of feedback that feels negative, uncomfortable, or even unfair. Instead of reacting defensively, he encourages leaders to “peel the onion back” and understand the feedback from the employee’s perspective.

This episode is all about turning uncomfortable moments into opportunities for connection, clarity, and improvement.

 

🧠 Key Themes

1. Deconstructive Feedback Isn’t the Enemy

• It often comes from frustration, fear, or unmet expectations.

• Employees may not articulate it well, but the underlying message is valuable.

• Leaders must listen for meaning, not tone.

2. Peel the Onion Back

Dr. Ayers emphasizes:

• Ask clarifying questions

• Seek the root cause of the concern

• Understand the employee’s lived experience

• Avoid assuming intent

This approach builds trust and reduces defensiveness.

3. Feedback Is a Window Into Culture

Deconstructive feedback often reveals:

• Process gaps

• Communication breakdowns

• Misaligned expectations

• Hidden frustrations

Leaders who explore these signals improve both relationships and systems.

4. Stay Curious, Not Defensive

The episode reinforces:

• Don’t shut down the conversation

• Don’t take it personally

• Don’t rush to justify your position

• Do stay open, calm, and engaged

Curiosity turns conflict into collaboration.

 

🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• Listen past the delivery to understand the message.

• Ask questions that uncover root causes.

• Use uncomfortable feedback as a leadership advantage.

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Episode 226 - Occupational Safety - Hand Tools and Organizing My Garage

Dr. Ayers uses a simple, relatable story — organizing his own garage — to highlight a critical safety principle: Employees can only work safely and efficiently if they have the right tools for the job.

He challenges safety leaders to stop assuming workers have what they need and instead verify it through real conversations and field engagement.

Source: Apple Podcasts episode listing and Podbean description

 

🧠 Key Themes

1. The Right Tools Matter

Just like a cluttered garage slows down home projects, a workplace without proper tools slows down safe work. Dr. Ayers emphasizes that:

• Workers often improvise when tools are missing

• Improvisation increases risk

• Leaders must ensure tools are available, functional, and appropriate

 

2. Talk to Employees About Their Tools

The episode stresses:

• Ask employees what tools they actually need

• Confirm whether current tools are worn, broken, or outdated

• Understand the real challenges they face during tasks

This builds trust and uncovers hazards that paperwork never will.

 

3. Don’t Assume — Go Look

A recurring theme in this series:

• Safety leaders must get out of the office

• Observe work firsthand

• Validate that tools match the job requirements

Presence beats assumptions every time.

 

4. Small Improvements Add Up

Organizing a garage isn’t glamorous — neither is checking hand tools. But these small, consistent actions:

• Reduce injuries

• Improve efficiency

• Strengthen safety culture

 

🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• Right tools = safer work.

• Ask employees what they need — don’t guess.

• Field presence reveals gaps you’ll never see from your desk.

• Small improvements compound into major safety gains.