FROM MEMIC
Safety Experts Podcast
The MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast is hosted by MEMIC's own Peter Koch, who interviews industry leaders on the trends, tools, and techniques that are tried, tested, or emerging in the world of workplace safety. What you learn could save your life or the life of a friend or coworker, or at least save everyone from a few unnecessary cuts, burns and bruises. Thank you for your joining us in our mission to make work, and the world, a safer place.
A Consolidation of Safety Subtleties: How to Build Resilient Safety Systems with Jake Mazulewicz
September 17
In Part One of this two-part episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, host Peter Koch sits down with human reliability consultant, educator, and author Jake Mazulewicz to explore the often-overlooked factors that influence human performance, workplace safety, and organizational reliability.
Saving Lives in the Trades: How the Practice of Leadership Creates Safer Workplaces with Jenn Ruggerio
July 27
In this episode, we explore how leaders influence workplace safety, shape company culture, and help prevent injuries before they happen. From mentoring new hires and addressing risky behaviors to building psychological safety and accountability, we discuss the leadership practices that keep workers safe and engaged.
The Confluence of Human Resources and Workplace Safety with Michelle Allen
July 13
Too often, HR and safety teams operate in silos—only collaborating after incidents occur. But what happens when these functions align? The result is a people-first culture that not only prevents injuries but also boosts employee engagement, strengthens leadership, and improves overall organizational performance.
Cybersecurity and Workplace Safety: Protecting People Operations and Culture with Jay Carter
April 21
Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern—it’s a core business issue that aligns with workplace safety.
Combustible Dust in the Workplace - What We’ve Learned and What’s Changing with James Burke
March 9
In this episode, we break down what combustible dust is, why deadly explosions continue to occur, and what’s changing in regulations and industry best practices.
The Winter Work Playbook: Ranger Lessons for the Everyday Jobsite with Matt McGuire and Rob Tice
February 5
Practical winter safety strategies for outdoor workers and supervisors, informed by the field experience of Maine’s Baxter State Park rangers.
The Safety Dividend: Leadership Lessons from WD-40 to Boeing with Randy Klatt
July 16
This episode unwraps two case studies: the remarkable journey of WD-40, guided by a CEO whose unwavering dedication to employee well-being has not only minimized incidents but also fueled innovation and profitability. Contrast this with the ongoing challenges at Boeing. Once a titan of engineering excellence, the aerospace giant continues to face significant scrutiny and setbacks due to a perceived erosion of its safety culture.
Slip Trip and Fall Prevention with Kim Block and Rose Wess
February 11
On this episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast I am joined by MEMIC safety consultant Rose Wess and former WGME 13 news anchor Kim Block to talk about the critical importance of slip, trip, and fall prevention.
Identifying Workplace Violence Exposures with Command Master Sergeant, 101st Airborne Retired, Bart Womack
January 27
Reports of violence in the workplace have escalated over the last 10 to 20 years, despite laws and rules that have been put in place to prevent these situations from happening. So, as a business owner, supervisor or manager, what can you do?
Safety Leadership and Leading Indicators with Shawn Galloway
November 15
Today on the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, Shawn Galloway, CEO of the global consultant agency, ProActSafety joins me to discuss his insights on how business leaders can create and nurture a safer workplace through targeted leadership and the strategic use of leading indicators.
AI: Our Future Friend or Foe with Lillith Chute
October 21
In this episode, we explore the fascinating realm of AI (artificial intelligence) with Lillith Chute, senior software engineer here at MEMIC. We will go from its basic concepts to its potential for revolutionizing industries. Join us as we navigate the exciting and complex world of AI, exploring its potential, its limitations, and its impact on our future.
2024 Summer Interns: Caitlin and Isaac
August 26
Every summer, MEMIC interns from across all departments dip their toes into the world of safety culture and Workers' Compensation insurance by working alongside industry professionals, both in the field and around the office. Join me as I chat with Isaac, our Loss Control intern, and Caitlin, our Communications intern.
Getting the most out of your pre-hiring process with Mark Walker and Luke Slabaugh from SaferHire
March 11
Having the right hiring practices is critical for building an effective, productive, and safe team that will attract other quality candidates. In this episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, I speak with Mark Walker and Luck Slabaugh of Safer Hire about using pre-hire surveys to identify applicants who best fit your company's needs and culture.
Slip Trip and Fall Prevention with Tim McCarty
January 15
Slip and fall exposures exist everywhere and can easily be overlooked in the workplace until someone is injured.
Workplace Athletes with Kelly Feldkamp
January 1
Work, no matter what the work can be physically taxing. That work can be at home in the yard or garden, working on the car or the place you live, or caring for kids and family. Or it can be in the workplace – in the office, on the factory floor, on the construction site, in the lab, or on the manufacturing line. No matter where it is, that work can be hard physically and mentally, the trades especially.
Bath Iron Works and VR Training - How Maine's Shipbuilders are Safely Learning the Trades with Glen Hilt
December 21
Many studies have been conducted to determine the efficacy of Virtual Reality (VR) as an educational tool. Results indicate that learning in a VR environment leads to higher rates of retention and recall when compared to computer-based learning. These engaging and controlled environments also allow tradespeople to gain experience in a safe, and cost-effective manner while simultaneously developing requisite skills and muscle memory.
Hearing Safely with Tyler Hadley
November 20
Noise in the workplace can be dangerous. A loud environment can cause problems ranging from difficulties concentrating and stress to hearing damage and poor decisions. Controlling noise through engineering controls such as dampening, absorption, or isolation and help reduce injuries and increase productivity.
My 5 Whys - Getting Safety Buy-In with Maryann Hoff
November 9
Maryann Hoff, MEMIC’s Vice President of Loss Control discusses how industry and safety professionals need to better understand the why behind a safe workplace and breaks it down into the Five Whys of Safety Commitment.
Do You Hear What I Hear? Hearing Loss Can be Prevented, but No One is Listening
October 23
According to the CDC, 22 million American workers are exposed to noise levels above 85 decibels at work every year and 30 million workers are exposed to chemicals that can be ototoxic. Add to that the 48 million Americans currently experiencing hearing loss to one degree or another and the stats paint a grim picture. Noise Mapping, Sound Level Meters, audiometric testing, PPE, and hearing conservation programs are tools to help identify and control workplace noise exposure.
The Future of Ergonomics with Maureen Anderson
October 9
Maureen Anderson, MEMIC’s Manager of Ergonomics discusses ergonomic risk factors and controls, body mechanics, assessment tools, and how future technology may shape our process for creating ergonomic solutions.
Young Worker Injury Prevention
September 25
A team from the Maine Department of Labor discusses the overall challenge of young worker safety, what might be driving the injuries, and strategies for business to prevent them.
Sept 11 - What We Have Learned About Emergency Preparedness
September 11
New techniques, evolving technologies, and collaboration at the federal level have created tools like the National Incident Command System for organizing collaborative responses across agencies to large scale emergencies from natural disasters to terrorist attacks (domestic and foreign).
PPE Must fit or else! With Allison Short
August 28
OSHA’s new proposed clarification for PPE in the Construction standard reinforces that PPE MUST FIT. Failure to follow this simple statement is one the reasons why workers are injured when they believe they are protected. PPE shouldn’t just be provided, it MUST fit the worker properly to function as it was designed!
Bee Safety - Safely Coexisting with Nature's Necessity
August 14
Bees can swarm around trash areas in the summer, but businesses should be able to eliminate or reduce the bee population around dumpsters through good waste and trash management practices, dumpster and trash area maintenance, and staff training.
Working Safely in Summer Heat
July 31
Heat stress occurs when environmental conditions, physical activity, and your own personal risk factors combine to cause your core temperature to rise in a manner where your body begins to struggle to compensate or regulate.
Know Before You Mow: Dangerous Plants
July 17
It’s the season for property maintenance. Workers behind mowers or with a string trimmer in hand are common sights across the nation. Training for staff assigned these jobs is usually weighted toward equipment operation and safety. However, knowing “what” you are “mowing” can be just as important.
The Workplace Injury Puzzle with Terry Dussault
July 3
Workplace Safety and Injury Prevention can be like trying to build a puzzle without the picture on the box. All the pieces connect together, but in order for it to be a seamless picture, they have to connect in a particular way and order. As a safety professional, you may have all the pieces but not the big picture on the box, or you have the picture but can make the pieces fit together.
MEMIC: 30 Years in the Making – The Intersection of Safety and Insurance Excellence with Mike Bourque
June 19
On this, our 100th episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, I spend an hour with MEMIC President & CEO, Mike Bourque, as we talk about what has changed during our 30 years in business.
First Call: MEMIC's Injury Triage Tool with Lara Heal and Jared Payton
June 5
Injury management is a key part of the workplace safety equation and getting the injured employee the appropriate level of care quickly and seamlessly is at the heart of the process.
Lean Safety with Sean Fields
May 22
Continuous process improvement for your safety program can challenging. However, with the right perspective, it can be integrated effectively and create an environment where quality and productivity thrive over the long term.
Will we do the uninspected? How workplace inspections can help with Rod Stanley
May 8
For some, a workplace inspection can be associated with a visit from OSHA or another certifying agency. Others may find them tedious and disconnected from expectations. However, workplace inspections can be a useful tool to connect what a business expects to the reality of the work being done.
A Look into the OSHA VPP program with Bob Thompson
April 25
Did you know that the average OSHA Voluntary Protection Program worksite has a lost workday incidence rate at least 50 percent below the average of its industry? Curious about what it’s like to go through the VPP process?
A Day In The Life of a US Army Safety Officer with Tobi Bledsoe
April 10
Ever wonder what a Safety person does all day? Could be Training, or Safety by Walking Around, or completing a Deliberate Risk Assessment Worksheet, or even Relationship building. On today’s episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast Tobi Bledsoe, talks how his experience in the Navy prepared him to be the Safety Office for the US Army’s Pacific 10th Support Group.
Strategies for Workplace Violence Prevention with Corey Jones
March 27
Not all workplace violence happens with a weapon. Sometimes it can be verbal or even psychological abuse from a customer or a fellow employee. Regardless of the tool, violence at the workplace is on the rise. On today’s episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast Corey Jones, Owner of Safetyman Consulting and former shift commander of the SWAT team in Mount Laurel New Jersey joins me to discuss the problem of workplace violence and what you can do to prepare for and prevent it.
Rethinking Your Workplace Stretching Program with Clayton Cartwright: Part II
March 13
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that in 2020 there were nearly a quarter million work related musculoskeletal injuries that resulted in days away from work with the average number of days away being 14. Statistics also show that warming up properly can also increase performance and reduce the potential for injuries during physical activity.
Rethinking Your Workplace Stretching Program with Clayton Cartwright: Part I
February 27
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that in 2020 there were nearly a quarter million work related musculoskeletal injuries that resulted in days away from work with the average number of days away being 14 (1) . Statistics also show that warming up properly can also increase performance and reduce the potential for injuries during physical activity.
Safe Patient Handling and Its Role in Physical and Occupational Therapy with Susan Diffenderfer
February 13
90% of all Physical and Occupational Therapists will suffer an occupational injury in their career. One in every six will change jobs or careers as a result of a work-related musculoskeletal injury. There are tools available such as lift, slides, and slings, but they are not always used.
Wink, Wink, Nudge, Nudge: How to Effect Choice Architecture In Safety with Dr. Julie Sorenson Part II
February 2
Behavioral economics looks at how the decisions we make are influenced by our human cognitive processes. While there are many ways to impact choices, social marketing and nudging are two that can be implemented on the workplace safety front.
Wink, Wink, Nudge, Nudge: How to Effect Choice Architecture In Safety with Dr. Julie Sorenson
January 16
Behavioral economics looks at how the decisions we make are influenced by our human cognitive processes. While there are many ways to impact choices, social marketing and nudging are two that can be implemented on the workplace safety front.
OSHA Recordkeeping Updates with Stephen Badger
January 6
On today’s episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast I speak with Stephen Badger, CSP and Safety Management Consultant with MEMIC about the OSHA recordkeeping standard, what is required of business, different scenarios for recording injuries, and the changes to the electronic submission portion of the standard.
Patterns of Movement for the Industrial Athlete with Dr. Trent Nessler: Part 2
December 19
Non-impact musculoskeletal injuries from overexertion cost billions of dollars each year. New data is showing that better core activation and pelvic stability increases performance and reduces knee, back, and shoulder pain in firefighters. Interventions that helped them can also help industrial athletes across the globe.
Patterns of Movement for the Industrial Athlete with Dr. Trent Nessler
December 5
Non-impact musculoskeletal injuries from overexertion cost billions of dollars each year. New data is showing that better core activation and pelvic stability increases performance and reduces knee, back, and shoulder pain in firefighters. Interventions that helped them can also help industrial athletes across the globe.
The Future of Respiratory Protection with Chad Wedding
November 21
Choosing the right respirator is not simple as the act of taking a breath, but it will make breathing easier if you do it right. On today’s episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast I get to talk to Chad Wedding PhD, from Bullard about the challenges of respiratory protection and state of the art solutions.
Data Driven Safety Leadership with Gary Bonnet
November 7
On this episode, I sit down with Gary Bonnet, Head of Customer Engagement at SafetyCulture, and chat about how data can help identify leading indicators that could lead to proactive and effective safety solutions around the workplace.
Spooky Safety and Killer Causes
October 24
Inattentive blindness, complacency, and the OSHA’s Fatality Inspection Data. What could make a Halloween episode more scary? On today’s Fractional Safety episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, killer causes and how to avoid them are the topic of discussion.
Send in the Drones: How Drones are Used to Keep Workers Safe - Part 2
October 10
On today’s episode, Part Two of Send in the Drones, I continue the conversation with Dr. Wanda Minnick, Dr. Tracey Cekada, and Dr. John Benhart, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Safety Sciences and Geography and Planning Departments about how drones are being used in the workplace to enhance worker safety.
Send in the Drones: How Drones are Used to Keep Workers Safe
September 26
On today’s episode I get to talk to Dr. Wanda Minnick, Dr. Tracey Cekada and Dr. John Benhart, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Safety Sciences and Geography and Planning Departments about how drones are being used in the workplace to enhance worker safety.
Logging Safety: The Hazards are Closer than you Think with Erika Scott
September 12
Trees, terrain, weather, equipment, you name it. Any combination of these can conspire to put the logger in harm’s way. There is some new evidence that these traditional hazards might not be the only things killing loggers today and the results of these new studies may surprise you.
Labor Day and Workplace Safety
August 29
Most people consider Labor Day as the official last hurrah before kids return to school full time. However, the history of Labor Day in the US and is tied to workplace safety past, present, and future.
OSHA 10-Hour Video Conference Training with Laurie Nolt, Justin Banks, and Randy Morehouse
August 15
Need a refresher on the OSHA standards? Or maybe your company is starting a initiative around workplace safety inspections. Or are the supervisors in your company required by the contractor you are working for to have a an OSHA 10hr Outreach Card? Not all OSHA Outreach classes are local and learning online can be a challenge.
Heat Stress Prevention with Tom Bernard (re-air)
August 1
Due to the current heatwave sweeping the nation, we have decided to re-air our episode on heat stress and exhaustion with Tom Bernard.
10-Hour OSHA Training with Stephen Badger and Richard Berthiaume
July 18
Whether it is required by your state or a contractor you’re working with, or because want to expand your team’s knowledge of workplace safety and how to identify and control hazards, an OSHA 10hr class just might fit the bill.
4th of July Food Safety with Natalie Campaneria
July 1
The 4th of July is time for families, friends, and good food. However, stats predict that many of us will be finishing our holiday celebrations in the bathroom or worse yet, in the ER. That same hot summer weather that makes for a great BBQ also provides the right environment for bacteria multiplication.
When Good Movement Is Not Possible with Clayton Cartwright
June 20
Sometimes life gets in the way, and now matter how well you planned, designed, or trained, you will be faced with moments where, at least on the surface, it’s not possible to put into play picture-perfect ergonomics.
Movement May Be Good, but Good Movement is Better with Clayton Cartwright
June 6
On today’s episode I have Clayton Cartwright, PT, and Safety Management Consultant with MEMIC here to discuss why good movement matters and how using body mechanics, like proper alignment and good balance when moving can help reduce stress, fatigue, and increase health.
Motion is Lotion: Movement is Good for You with Clayton Cartwright
May 23
On today’s episode I have Clayton Cartwright, PT, and Safety Management Consultant with MEMIC here to discuss why movement is good for us and how using body mechanics, like proper alignment and good balance when moving can help reduce stress, fatigue, and increase health.
Leadership and the Human Connection with Randy Klatt
May 9
Are you a business leader or a supervisor struggling to find the key to your company’s success over the long term? Well, have you checked in with your team? How connected to your purpose are they? According to Gallup’s State of the American Workplace Report, 51% of the U.S. workforce is not engaged. These employees can make the difference between success and failure.
This Ain't Your Grandpa's Diesel: Dangers of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel with Andy Wood
April 25
The diesel fuel purchased and used for most on and off-road applications has changed substantially over the years. The removal of sulfur and other substances in the refinement process has made it more ecologically friendly and allow it burns cleaner when combined with modern diesel engines. But these changes have also introduced hazards and exposures that may not be on your radar.
Fit for Work? How Hard Can It Be? With Dr. Phil Finemore
April 11
On this episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, I speak with Dr. Phillip Finemore, Physical Therapist and owner of WorkFitME about how physical preparation can help prevent injury and increase your quality of life both in and outside of the workplace.
Lesson Learned: COVID and the Commercial Construction Site with Jason Beam - Part 2
March 28
In this two-part episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, I speak with Jason Beam, Director of EHS and Risk Management of CCB, INC in Westbrook Maine, about how he and his team have worked with employers and employees alike to maintain and encourage safe working habits and guidelines in the face of a global pandemic.
Lesson Learned: COVID and the Commercial Construction Site with Jason Beam - Part 1
March 14
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world in many ways over the last two years. From our homes to our workplaces, and everywhere in between, we have all faced challenges that require us to live, work, and think just a little bit differently.
Tire Servicing Safety: Don’t Reinvent The Wheel! with Andy Wood - Part 2
February 28
In the conclusion of this two-part Tire Safety episode with Andy Wood, MEMIC's Forest Products Programs Manager, we dive deeper into preventing tire-related injuries, and how we can keep ourselves safe when handling, changing, or servicing a tire.
Tire Servicing Safety: Don’t Reinvent The Wheel! with Andy Wood - Part 1
February 14
Tire Servicing Safety is often overlooked unless it’s your full-time job. Hazards from lifting and repositioning a heavy tire in an awkward position or being struck by a falling or exploding tire are all common exposures for workers serving tires in the shop or in the field.
The Power of a Safety Brand with Nancy Marshall
January 31
A company's brand is its identity, and it is one of the most valued parts of your business. When brand is done right, it influences what happens inside a company as well how people on the outside perceive it. The brand becomes something that you are, not just something that you do. It is something that can influence behavior.
Situational Awareness and Forktruck Camera Systems with Chris Burns
January 17
According to the National Safety Council, forklifts were the source of 79 work related fatalities and 8,140 non-fatal injuries involving days away from work in 2019 alone. The number of non-fatal forklift related workplace injuries continues to increase every year since 2015. Most of these are driven by a lack of situational awareness on the part of the operator or other workers.
Testing our Safety Resolve
January 3
The word resolution implies a steadfast intent to succeed or change something. While this may be true for the New Year, the word is better used to describe the movement or change between things. On this episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, I discuss how a resolution should be a living thing, especially when it comes to safety.
A Breath of Fresh Air – Steve Badger on Respiratory Protection
December 20
Respirators are one of many controls to consider when addressing atmospheric hazards. Choosing the wrong respirator can have deadly consequences. The results could be immediately fatal or lead to a long-term debilitating disease or condition.
How’s your MEWPs? The skinny on the changes to the Mobile Elevated Work Platform standards with Joe Gagne
December 6
Called by many different names: Man lifts, boom lifts, cherry picker, scissor lift, or bucket truck, mobile elevated work platforms are everywhere. They are replacing the traditional ways people work have worked at height.
Giving Thanks for Safety: What To Do With Leftovers?
November 22
Staying safe around the holidays is important and the hazards around the Thanksgiving holiday can pose different challenges. Distracted driving, food poisoning, and burns are the three most frequent causes of injuries during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
Protection at the Edge: How your fall protection equipment can let you down with David Kozlowsky
November 8
According to the National Safety Council, following highway crashes, falls to a lower level is the third leading fatal workplace event and the fifth leading event resulting in cases with days away from work.
Small Business Safety Leadership with Elise Brown and Brian Schortz
October 25
According to the US Small business Administration, 99 percent of firms in the US are small business and according to JP Morgan Chase, the vast majority, nearly 88%, have fewer than 20 employees. At MEMIC, we partner with small business who understand that the health and safety of their employees leads to a more productive and profitable workplace.
The Flat Roof Dilemma: When is Fall Protection Required with David Kozlowsky
October 11
According to BLS data, workplace fatalities from falls to a lower level were up from 615 on 2018 to 711 in 2019. Fall hazard exposures exist in almost every industry and finding the right fall protection solution for your jobsite is not always easy.
Motivated for Safety? Are your business objectives aligned with your team’s needs?
September 30
When it comes to workplace safety, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs can shed light on why you can’t gain real traction in developing your safety culture. From physiological needs to self-Actualization and accountability, this episode will look at how miss alignment of business objectives and employee needs can be the cause of on-going crisis management that will prevent us from moving our safety culture forward.
Moments Make the Leader with Patrick Nelson
September 13
In 2005, Patrick Nelson, while serving in the US Army paratroops, had an experience that changed his life and his perspective on being a leader. Leadership, good or bad, is made up of moments. On this podcast, Patrick helps us see the impact of those moments and how leaders can engage safety through story telling.
How Workplace Safety Influenced Labor Day: Celebrating the American Worker with Randy Klatt
August 30
Back in 1892, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year the Labor Day holiday. Do you know the history and the struggle of the American worker that pre-dates this historic day?
Revoked EUAs with Stephen Badger
August 16
In June 2021, the FDA revoked its Emergency Use Authorization for Filtering Facepiece Respirators. Learn what an EUA is and how it affects the use of non-NIOSH approved N-95 respirator in healthcare.
Don’t Be A Slouch: How Posture Affects Health and Longevity with Al Brown
August 2
In a February 2021 article from Harvard Health Publishing, research links some surprising health problems to slouching, including incontinence and constipation. On this episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, Al Brown, MEMIC’s Director of Ergonomics takes a look at slouching, how it affects your health and some strategies for prevention.
OSHA’s Top 10 and How they can Affect your Safety Program with Stephen Badger
July 19
In 2020, Fall protection was once again, number one of OSHA’s Top Ten most frequently cited standards. On this episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, Steve Badger, CSP, OHST, and Safety Management Consultant with MEMIC breaks down OSHA’s Top 10 and how it can be used as a tool for continuous improvement of your safety program.
Top 5 Causes of Injury During July 4th Weekend
July 2
According to the Pew Research Center, during July 4 and 5 more than 90,000 people visit hospital emergency rooms for treatment of injuries sustained during the holiday. This episode will cover safety issues that are not just workplace related, and explore the Top 5 injury causes that center around the 4th of July holiday, as well as share some tips on how to not become a statistic this summer.
Preventing Heat Stress in the Workplace with Tom Bernard
June 21
Heat stress is no joke. Exposure to excessive heat and working in hot environments can cause heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and even heat stroke. The stress that heat puts on the body can be deadly if not identified and addressed.
All Hands on Deck with Al Brown
June 7
In 2018, BLS data shows hand, wrist, and finger injuries comprise more than 43% of all upper extremity injuries that caused days away from work.
Industrial Athletes with Al Brown and Clayton Cartwright
May 24
Workers today face many physical challenges, from a demanding pace to heavy loads and static postures. While the demands may not be at the same level as a professional athlete, a certain level of fitness and preparation is necessary for any worker to stay healthy or recover if an injury does occur.
Getting Under the Surface of Slip and Fall Injuries with Patrick Dooley
May 10
In 2019 the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported there were 190,000 slip and fall events that resulted in time away from work. 60% of those were falls on the same surface. Any surface is the interface with our shoes and together they provide stability for our base of support while moving.
Implementing Proper Fall Protection with David Kozlowsky
April 26
Falls in the workplace are one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities. Citations around the OSHA standards for fall protection have made the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards for the last decade.
Distracted Driving Prevention: The Excellent Driver Dilemma with Greg LaRochelle
March 29
Most of us want to be excellent drivers. But being one is not as easy or as common as you would think. Stats from 2019 and 2020 show more than a 20% increase in driving related fatalities, the highest it’s been in more than 10 years. Many of those fatal accidents are caused by a momentary or possibly habitual lack of attention to the roadway environment. What is driving us to distraction when in the car?
OSHA and Workplace Injury Prevention with Gary Orr
March 29
Today’s guest on the podcast is Gary Orr, Health Scientist and Ergonomist with the United States Department of Labor, OSHA. Join us as we look at OSHA’s history and how it has helped to make the workplace safer through rule making, enforcement, education, and partnerships.
Integrating Safety Programs with Joe Collura and Dave Darnley
March 15
Safety integration is a term tossed around in most industries. But not all companies have it wired. Integrating safety is not just making safety THE priority, but by recognizing it as “a living breathing thing”. Something that you need to feed and care for as your business changes, as exposures change, and as your employee team shifts.
Safety first? Safety third? Safety all the time, with Randy Klatt and Greg LaRochelle
March 1
On this episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, I speak with Greg Larochelle, Safety Management Consultant and Randy Klatt, Director of Region 2 Loss Control at MEMIC about the priority of safety, and where it lands in the hierarchy. Is safety really first, or is it third?
Introducing the MEMIC Safety Research Center with Mike Bourque and Luis Pieretti
February 15
Data is a big part of how we make decisions. As a safety professional, I know that understanding the data can make the difference between suggesting a possible control and implementing the right solution. Finding the right data or conducting the right research also in the outcome.
Leg, Muscle, and Knee Safety with Al Brown
February 1
Studies show that our work has shifted from a 50/50 balance between sedentary and active work to 80% sedentary and 20% active. Overall that shift has led to a negative effect on our general health and in particular, our knees. Our knees can play a big part in workplace safety as they form a critical link in our kinetic chain, connecting us to the ground and allowing freedom to move.
Leadership and Ownership with Randy Klatt
January 18
On this episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, Randy Klatt, Director of Region 1 Loss Control for MEMIC and I talk about how a leader can incorporate safety into any business using the concepts outlined in the book, “Extreme Ownership, How Navy Seals Lead and Win” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.
A Fraction on Seasonal Safety
January 4
Festivities during the holiday time tend to increase the number of hazards we are exposed to. We set up decorations, hang lights, bake, depending on the industry, put in more hours at work, and overall burn the candle at both ends just to get it all done so we can relax and ring in the new year.
Shouldering the Load with Al Brown
December 21
There are multiple risk factors associated with shoulder injury including repetitive work, elevated arm posture, and constrained work spaces. If you don’t think it’s a problem, think again. According to a new study published in Human Factors, shoulder injuries cost industry in western countries $29 Billion dollars a year. Not only is shoulder injury prevention a smart safety practice, but it’s a quality of life issue as well.
The Abilene Paradox with Randy Klatt
December 7
Ever been right in your head, but wrong out loud because everyone else seemed to think it wasn't a good idea? In 1977, Jerry B. Harvey, professor of management science at George Washington University, outlines the Abilene Paradox which describes how the inability to properly manage agreement can be an indication of dysfunction within an organization.
A Fraction on Friction: 37 Degrees
November 23
Slip and fall injuries always increase in the fall and the winter months. Especially during those weather days when there are rapid or significant temperature changes.
One Path Forward: American Society of Safety Professionals with Deb Roy and Alexis Flink
November 9
The road to becoming a safety professional can take many directions. Certifications like CSP, ASP, or OHST, experience in a particular field, or assumed responsibilities on a job can all lead to a career as a safety professional. Knowing that you have a group to help you sort our choices can be a powerful boost.
Seasonal Farm Worker Safety with Lisa Tapert
October 26
The overall health of a person can have a significant effect on their ability to work safely and produce a quality product in a timely manner. Many of our migrant and seasonal farm workers bring with them similar baseline health issues as their local counterparts. These factors combined with language, cultural, and transportation barriers create a particularly challenging problem. Enter the Maine Mobile Health program.
Opioids in the Workplace with Shelby Pedersen
October 12
On this Episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, Pete talks with Shelby Pedersen, Licensed Athletic Trainer, ASP, and Safety Management Consultant with the MEMIC Group about the effects of opioids in the workplace and how to build an effective response plan.
America's Aging Workforce with Al Brown
September 28
According to a 2018 research paper published in Sage Journal’s Workplace Health and Safety, citing numbers from NIOSH, the number of individuals aged 65 and older is projected to double by 2030, hitting 20% of the total US population. And the US Census Bureau projects that older adults (65 and older) will out-number children (18 and younger) by 2034.
Indoor Air Quality with Luis Pieretti
September 14
Indoor air quality can make or break a workplace. Understanding some basic concepts around air movement, ventilation system, off gassing, and fresh air vs re-circulation can help you identify potential problem areas in your facility.
Safety in the Commercial Kitchen with David Darnley
August 31
Inside the commercial kitchen lurks a myriad of hazards that workers can be exposed to. Trouble is, some aren’t always a hazard, some aren’t always visible, and many are so common we don’t consider them a danger.
Chainsaw Safety Tips and Training with Andy Wood
August 17
Chainsaw safety is more than just a pair of chaps and safety glasses. The PPE is only there to help reduce the effect of the mistake you make. To be a competent sawyer or to consistently use a chainsaw safely takes knowledge of the tool, the tree, and the environment. These combined with good body position, control of the saw, and saw maintenance can delver quality and productivity when you are working in the woods or in your yard.
Safe Patient Handling part 2 with Rob Sylvester and Laurette Wright
August 3
According to OSHA, in 2017, nursing assistants had the second highest number of recordable musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) cases with more than five times the average for all industries. OSHA attributes these trends to repeated manual patient handling activities. Just having a program on the books is not enough.
SMART Goals with Randy Klatt
July 20
When a workplace injury happens, it is an indication that something within the organization didn’t function the way it was supposed to. If your organizational goals are set up well, then you can readily identify where the failure was and address it. Specific, Measurable, Agreed On, Realistic, Time Based - SMART goals are one way to help you and your organization develop a road map for safety success.
Tick Bite Prevention and Care with Andy Wood
July 6
If you’ve been outside on a trail, field, or wooded area for work or for recreation this spring or summer, chances are, you someone you were with had a tick on them. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded spaces, or on animals themselves and can carry germs that can cause serious and sometimes fatal disease.
Preparing for End of Life Dementia Care with Dr. Heather McKay
June 22
Dementia is a disease that can strip away the very essence of who a friend or loved one once was. It ravages the mind, while, in many cases, leaving the body alone until late in the disease timeline. Understanding the signs that accompany the disease, especially those in the later stages, will help improve quality of life, end of life choices, and the relationships of the people it affects.
How to Manage Injury Claims w/ Jared Payton
June 8
Expect the best, but prepare for the worst, a quote made famous by Zig Ziglar is a good guide when evaluating your workplace safety plan. As a business owner, supervisor, or manager, you have identified hazards and exposures, created and implemented controls, hired good people, trained them, and now expect the best from them. But what if the worst happens and someone is injured. What do you do?
Safe Patient Handling Part 1 with Lauren Caulfield
May 25
In this episode I speak with Lauren Caulfield, Director of the Atlantic Region Loss Control here at MEMIC about the Patient Handling Problem, its effect on providers and patients and how the MEMIC Safe Patient Handling Program is helping care facilities reduce the number of provider and patient injuries as well as increase the quality of care delivered.
Fit for Work with Dr. Delia Roberts
May 11
Now more than ever, worker health is a key part to any successful business. Beyond the obvious connection to lost work time, healthy workers tend to be happier, produce more, and can be safer on the job. When a worker is out sick, it leaves the workforce short. In order to address the problem, you must look at it from both ends.
Social Distancing with Kevin Roche
April 27
Many of us haven’t heard of the term until the current novel coronavirus pandemic. However, this isn’t a new tool at all. Studies back in the early 2000s and late 1900s discuss physical distancing as one of the main community mitigation measures recommended during influenza pandemics.
Hand Safety with Joey Geng
April 13
The human hand is one of the most delicate and dexterous instruments we have to interact with the world. With them we can feel the heartbeat of another person, create art and music, pick a flower, or grasp a tool, adjust a machine, and pick up stock. Without them or without full use of them, we lose a big part of our sense of touch and how we interact with everyday things.
Crisis Communication with Michael Bourque
March 20
Crisis can bring about interesting times, and it’s in times of crisis when, as employers and leaders, you need to step back, be sure you are focused on the right priorities, and then lean in to support your team. Now more than ever, workers need to know that their leadership is committed to their health and safety.
Are You Prepared? Violence in the American Workplace with Rob Sylvester
March 16
The OSHA General Duty clause states that every employer has the duty to provide work and a workplace that's free of recognized hazards. Workplace violence is not a traditional hazard like a piece of machinery, repetitive motion, heavy lifting, falls, or confined spaces. It’s a threat from co-workers or as OSHA defines it, clients, customers and even visitors to the workplace. Do the statistics make workplace violence a new recognized hazard?
Infection Control and Prevention with Debra Willard Webb
March 10
Infection control and prevention are always in the news during flu season, but this year we have a new player that is causing more than a stir in the world today, the novel or newest corona virus, Covid-19. There are plenty of statistics and interpretations out in the public domain that don’t seem to jive, causing conflicting opinions, incomplete understandings, and misguided actions.
Machine Guarding with Hartley Webb
March 2
Machine Guarding ranks number 9 out of OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards, with 1,743 violations in 2019. According to OSHA’s Machine guarding eTool, there are over 18,000 injuries and 800 deaths each year attributed to worker exposure to unguarded or inadequately guarded machines. Does your workplace have presses, shears, gears, rollers, conveyors, or shafts? How about mixers, jointers, portable power tools, or power saws?
A Fraction on Friction: Outdoor Slip and Fall Prevention w/ Pete Koch
February 17
On the surface, preventing Slip and Fall events outdoors may seem like a pretty simple topic to address, but unlike preventing slips and falls inside, the outdoor environment adds a level of complexity to the problem.
Office Ergonomics with Maureen Anderson
February 3
Office ergonomics is not just about your mouse or your keyboard or your chair. It’s an integrated look at all the factors; human, environmental, and equipment, which affect how we work at a desk.
Engaging Safety with Lorraine Serva
January 20
Employee engagement is not happiness or even job satisfaction. It is the emotional commitment an employee has to the organization and its goals. It means they care about the work. And when someone cares about the work they do and the company they work for, a safety culture can prosper.
Up your NEAT with Allan Brown
January 6
Do you sit all, or most of the day? Are you more tired, and sore after getting out of your office chair than you are after a workout? MEMIC’s Director of Ergonomics, Allan Brown, introduces listeners to the concept of how non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) can increase your overall health and improve safety on the job.
Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention with Maureen Anderson
December 23
Take your center of mass and put it outside your base of support and what do you get? Well, you could get better acquainted with the ground at best, and at worst you could have a life altering fall. Preventing slip and fall events is more than just signage, slip resistant footwear, or mopping up a spill. There has to be a strategy that deals with all aspects of the slip and fall cause.
Winter Driving Safety with Randy Klatt
December 9
Every time winter comes around, the number of traffic accidents increases. MEMIC Loss Control Director Randy Klatt (Retired May 2022) shares how you can drive to save lives, time and money, despite the conditions around you and the actions of others. Since his experiences in emergency medicine and as an active duty Navy pilot and aircraft crash investigator, Klatt has been on a mission to prevent the tragic consequences of unsafe attitudes and behavior.
Holiday Safety Fails and Fixes: Preventing Electrical Fires w/ Hartley Webb
November 25
Every holiday season, EMS teams respond to hundreds of house fires, electrical burns, falls from height, and decorating or party related problems. Holiday decoration and Christmas tree fires are more damaging than other fires, resulting in twice the injuries and five times the fatalities per fire as the average winter holiday home fire.
Putting People at the Center of Work: Industrial Ergonomics with Allan Brown
November 11
Does your back hurt? Is work literally a pain in your neck? Find out from MEMIC’s Director of Ergonomics Allan Brown if workplace ergonomics could be the culprit to some of your most common aches and pains.
Living with Dementia: A Caregiver’s Guide with Dr. Heather McKay
November 10
Special guest Dr. Heather McKay helps us recognize the common symptoms and behaviors that are caused by dementia, understand how the progression of dementia affects the someone's skills and abilities, and learn how to take specific actions to improve safety for both caregivers and those living with dementia.
Seasonal Workforce Challenges and Solutions with Deb Roy
November 9
Ever wonder how the best companies gear up for their busy season? Concerned about how to keep your staff safe when production demands rise? Can your hiring practices keep pace with the demand for employees? Deb Roy, President of SafeTech Consultants and recently retired Corporate Director of Health, Safety & Wellness at L.L.Bean, offers solutions to seasonal workforce challenges so the increased demands don’t upset the balance of safety, quality and productivity.
Maine Miracle: How MEMIC Changed Workplace Culture with Michael Bourque
November 8
You might be thinking about how you can improve the safety culture at your workplace, but from the start MEMIC had to change the workplace culture of an entire state. MEMIC President and CEO Michael Bourque says that MEMIC was born out of crisis. In the late 80s and early 90s Maine had a terrible safety culture and increasing levels of legal conflict making it the most expensive place in the country to do business.
Safety Leadership: Walking the Walk with Randy Klatt
November 7
What does it take to be a leader and motivate a group of people to accomplish a common goal? How do you build credibility and develop trust with your team? Are you able to communicate with humility so it’s not about you but about the overall mission?
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