MEMIC Safety Experts

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern—it's a core business issue that aligns with workplace safety . With cyber and phishing attacks becoming more frequent, more sophisticated, and increasingly focused on people , even small gaps in awareness or process can create serious cybersecurity risks. Just as responsibility for Workplace Safety spreads beyond the Safety Committee or Risk Manager, c...

Combustible dust remains a major—but often overlooked—industrial hazard. 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. We also explore practical steps organizations can take right now to strengthen prevention, improve training, and build a safer workplace. Perfect for safety leaders,...

Practical winter safety strategies for outdoor workers and supervisors, informed by the field experience of Maine's Baxter State Park rangers. Rob Tice - Baxter State Park District Ranger. He began his career in Baxter State Park in 2001 and was hired as the Alpine Ranger spending nearly a decade of winters at Chimney Pond, in a remote cabin, 15 miles from his truck. Conducting search and rescue,...

In today's competitive landscape, workplace safety isn't just about compliance – it's a critical driver of success, deeply intertwined with an organization's culture and leadership.   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...

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. Learn how these accidents happen, the devastating impact they can have, and practical strategies to keep yourself safe at work and home.

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?   Are you prepared to manage a situation once it starts? Better yet, do you know the warning signs and have a plan to deescalate the situation before it start...

Workplace safety isn't just about compliance; it's a reflection of leadership and a commitment to employee well-being. Leadership in the workplace plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of safety using leading indicators to identify problem areas as well as leadership strategies that support safety as the balancing point between productivity and quality.  Today on the MEMIC Safety Experts Pod...

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.

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.

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 and fall exposures exist everywhere and can easily be overlooked in the workplace until someone is injured.  Today on the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, I have Tim McCarty, MSc, Senior Vice President – Safety & Risk Consulting for Clark Insurance, A Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company. Tim has expertise in many fields within the realm of safety, but one that he and I have collaborated on is sl...

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...

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...

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. Episode Resources: DDS Acoustical - https://ddsacoustical.com/

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.

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 cons...

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.

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 . Episode Resources: Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor: Prohibited Occupations for Non-Agricultural Employees Child Labor Violations Continue to Rise in Maine Child Labor Bulletin 102 - Child Labor Requirements in Agricultu...

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). Episode Resources: Command under attack: What we've learned since 9/11 about managing crises (theconversation.c...

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! Joining me on the podcast to reveal the problems with poor fitting PPE and what ca...

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.

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. 

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. 

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. Joini...