Inside the Aisle

Is safety simply about following OSHA regulations, or is it about doing the right thing even when no one is watching? In this episode of Inside the Aisle , Robert Courtney Jr. explores the critical connection between ethics and workplace safety. From reporting hazards and conducting honest inspections to ethical leadership and protecting employees from retaliation, we discuss how everyday decision...

In this episode of the Inside the Aisle Podcast , I talk about why experience can sometimes make people uncomfortable in the workplace. Organizations often say they value experience, but when experienced people start asking questions, pointing out hazards, or challenging broken processes, the reaction is not always positive. Inspired by a LinkedIn post from safety professional James Shultz, this e...

In this episode of Safe in the Aisle , we break down one of the most important concepts in workplace safety: the Hierarchy of Controls . While many people think safety starts and ends with personal protective equipment (PPE), OSHA and safety professionals know that the most effective way to prevent injuries is to control hazards at their source. We'll explore the five levels of the Hierarchy o...

Think safety is just common sense? Think again. In this episode of Inside the Aisle , I break down 10 of the most common safety questions workers, supervisors, and job applicants should know. We’ll talk about the difference between a hazard and a risk, what a risk assessment actually means, why the hierarchy of controls matters, and how things like PPE, toolbox talks, near misses, and incident inv...

Have you ever been told to do something by management, only to be questioned later for doing exactly what you were instructed to do? In this episode of Safe in the Aisle , we explore what happens when expectations constantly change, accountability only flows in one direction, and employees are judged by standards that didn't exist when decisions were made. Through real-world warehouse and oper...

A fire alarm system is not just a box on the wall or a sound in the ceiling. It is part of a larger safety program that tells employees what to do, where to go, who to notify, and how to stay alive when seconds matter. In this episode, we break down fire alarm systems, audible and visual notification, OSHA requirements, NFPA guidance, evacuation planning, fire prevention, inspections, training, an...

In this episode, we talk about why employees stop reporting hazards, even when they know something is unsafe. It is not always because they do not care. Many workers stop speaking up because nothing gets fixed, they fear retaliation, they feel ignored, or they believe reporting only creates problems for them. We break down how poor follow-up, blame culture, unclear reporting procedures, and lack o...

In this episode, we break down the difference between being certified and being truly qualified in workplace safety. A certificate may show that someone completed a course, but qualification comes from real understanding, hands-on ability, employer authorization, and knowing how to apply safety procedures in the actual workplace. We discuss why this difference matters in areas like forklift operat...

This episode explains the basics of Lockout/Tagout, or LOTO, including hazardous energy, employee roles, locks and tags, stored energy, and safe shutdown procedures. It is intended to support workplace safety awareness and does not replace employer-specific procedures, authorization, or required training records.