The Occupational Safety Leadership Podcast

Episode 245 - If you don't know, just own it

In this episode, Dr. Ayers speaks directly to his younger self — and to every safety professional who feels pressure to have all the answers. His message is simple: if you don’t know something, admit it. Pretending to know erodes trust, while honesty builds credibility and stronger relationships with employees.

The episode emphasizes humility, curiosity, and the value of letting employees teach you about their equipment and processes.

 

🔑 Key Points

🧠 1. You Don’t Need to Know Everything

Safety leaders often feel pressure to be the expert on every machine, process, or regulation. Dr. Ayers reminds us that this expectation is unrealistic — and unnecessary.

🗣️ 2. Honesty Builds Trust

Saying “I don’t know” shows authenticity. Employees respect leaders who are honest and willing to learn.

👷 3. Let Employees Explain Their Work

Workers are the true experts on their equipment. Asking them to walk you through it strengthens relationships and gives you better insight into hazards.

🤝 4. Curiosity Is a Leadership Skill

Asking questions isn’t a weakness — it’s how you learn, connect, and lead more effectively.

 

🎙️ Central Message

If you don’t know something, own it. Ask questions. Learn from employees. That’s how real safety leadership grows.

Episode 244 - The "F" Word in Occupational Safety - Focus

In this episode, Dr. Ayers talks about the most dreaded “F‑word” in safety — FOCUS. Not the kind you lose during a long meeting, but the intentional, uninterrupted time every safety professional needs to think, plan, and solve problems.

According to the episode description, the central question is: How are you getting focus time at work?

 

🔑 Key Points

🎯 1. Focus Time Is Essential for Safety Work

Safety isn’t just inspections and paperwork. It requires deep thinking — planning programs, analyzing hazards, and solving root‑cause issues.

🧱 2. Distractions Destroy Effectiveness

Constant interruptions, emails, and “quick questions” prevent safety leaders from doing the strategic work that actually reduces injuries.

🗓️ 3. You Must Protect Your Focus Time

Dr. Ayers encourages listeners to intentionally carve out blocks of uninterrupted time, even if it means closing the door or stepping away from the floor briefly.

🔄 4. Focus Improves Decision‑Making

When you give yourself space to think, you make better calls, catch more hazards, and lead more effectively.

 

🎙️ Central Message

Focus isn’t optional — it’s a leadership skill. If you don’t protect your focus time, no one else will.

Episode 243 - Occupational Safety - Are you Busy or Productive

In this episode, Dr. Ayers challenges safety professionals to examine whether they’re truly being productive or simply busy. According to the episode description, safety work is full of competing demands, and it’s easy to hide behind activity instead of addressing the real issues that matter.

The episode pushes listeners to reflect on whether their daily tasks are actually moving the safety program forward—or just filling time.

 

🔑 Key Points

🔍 1. Busyness Can Be a Distraction

Being constantly in motion doesn’t mean you’re accomplishing meaningful safety work. Sometimes “busy” is a way to avoid difficult conversations or unresolved hazards.

🎯 2. Productivity Requires Intentionality

Productive safety work focuses on actions that reduce risk, build relationships, and solve real problems—not just checking boxes.

🧭 3. Safety Professionals Must Prioritize

With so many responsibilities, it’s essential to identify what truly matters and allocate time accordingly.

🛠️ 4. Ask Yourself the Hard Question

Dr. Ayers encourages listeners to regularly reflect: “Am I avoiding issues by staying busy?”

 

🎙️ Central Message

Don’t confuse activity with progress. Real safety leadership requires focusing on what actually improves safety—not just what fills your schedule.

Episode 242 - Occupational Safety - List Maintenance

In this episode, Dr. Ayers talks about the often‑overlooked but essential task of maintaining the lists that track new‑hire orientation and training. These lists are the backbone of a functioning safety program, yet many organizations struggle to keep them updated or rely on outdated manual methods.

According to the episode description, the focus is on how safety professionals manage these lists and whether they’re using software tools to save time and reduce effort.

 

🔑 Key Points

🗂️ 1. Training Lists Are Foundational

Tracking who has completed orientation, who needs refresher training, and who is overdue is critical for compliance and safety performance.

💻 2. Software Can Save Time and Reduce Errors

Dr. Ayers highlights that many companies still track training manually. He challenges listeners to consider whether digital tools could streamline the process.

🔄 3. Consistency Matters More Than Complexity

A simple, well‑maintained list is more effective than a complicated system that no one updates.

🧭 4. List Maintenance Reflects Program Health

If your training lists are a mess, it’s usually a sign that other parts of the safety program may also be slipping.

 

🎙️ Central Message

Your training lists are only as good as your maintenance habits. Clean, accurate lists make your entire safety program stronger and more reliable.

Episode 241 - Occupational Safety - Comfort Zone Danger

In today's episode older Dr. Ayers talks to young Dr. Ayers about avoiding the comfort zone.  Growth does not happen in the comfort zone, get out.

Episode 240 - Occupational Safety - Imposter Syndrome

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers starts to peel back the onion on imposter syndrome.  Imposter syndrome is generally expressed through self-doubt in your abilities even when you have shown a clear pattern of completed the tasks.  Dr. Ayers discusses what he does to combat imposter syndrome.

Episode 239 - Don't expect results without getting your hands dirty

In today's episode, Dr. Ayers compares growing vegetables to rolling out safety programs.  They both need plenty of light, rain, protection from animals and pulling weeds to thrive.

Episode 238 - Dr. Megan Tranter - Safety Career Coach

In todays' episode, Dr. Ayers discusses career skills with Dr. Megan Tranter.  Dr. Tranter is a Safety Career Coach.  She specializes in helping safety professionals go to the next level along with understanding what they really want from the safety profession.