The Employee Safety Podcast

For  McDonald’s , the intelligence function serves as a trusted advisor and business partner to the organization. What started as a one-person executive protection team has grown into a fully integrated department of hybrid expertise backed by enthusiastic executive support. How did it happen? Former military-turned-private-sector intelligence champion Ryan Long saw the business opportunity i...

Before the formation of the  National Fire Protection Association , city streets were littered with sawdust, buildings were constructed with dry wood, and fire escapes did not exist. Today, the NFPA’s codes and standards protect people and property from fire destruction, and its research and education campaigns have reduced fire risk, injuries, and losses for more than a century. On the 100th...

By looking through the customer lens, businesses can build better products, provide better service, and embody the values of the organizations they serve. So why don’t more providers live up to customers’ expectations? To celebrate the 100th episode of the show, we invited  Christopher Kenessey , CEO of  AlertMedia , to discuss his approach to customer-centric leadership. For Christopher...

How does a small team of business resiliency professionals oversee three iconic brands, 850 locations, and 90,000 employees? For  Erica Reed , it’s through streamlining communication. In her role as Business Resiliency Analyst at  Macy’s , she and her team are responsible for crisis management, communication, 24/7/365 situational awareness, and business continuity planning. In this episo...

Mental health crisis services must be operational 24/7/365 to support communities, even during an emergency or severe weather event. But without effective communication, continuity of care can be compromised. For  Integral Care , the authority on local mental health and developmental disabilities in Austin, Texas, communication is the key to protecting employees and keeping vital programs up...

Zoom describes its workplace culture in two words: Delivering Happiness. Burke Brownfeld , Manager of Physical Security, Operations Awareness, and Partnerships at  Zoom , discovered a simple and effective method of delivering happiness—apply empathy in every business interaction. In this episode, Burke shares how he strengthened his working relationships and the security function at Zoom by l...

Safety leaders often receive a myriad of technical training for their roles, but one crucial aspect— how to lead people through a crisis — can be overlooked. The  National Preparedness Leadership Initiative  (NPLI) at Harvard University strives to change that by offering a crisis leadership training program that prepares safety and security leaders. To honor National Preparedness Month i...

Many organizations recognize the need for “always on” security, but few know how to achieve or sustain it. Grant Hayes , Owner of  Childers, Hayes and Richards , has more than 20 years’ experience in physical security, from protecting U.S. Presidents as a Secret Service Agent to leading security operations at major organizations like BP and Magnolia. In this episode, Grant shares the basic bu...

Workplace safety has evolved dramatically since 1847. When  Tribune Publishing  first opened its doors, regulatory agencies like OSHA and the EPA did not exist and safety policies were implemented reactively. 175 years later, Tribune has created a robust, sustainable safety culture that protects thousands of dispersed, contract, and on-site workers from a myriad of potential threats. So...

A “good-on-paper” security program isn’t enough to reduce risk and protect employees in today’s threat landscape. It takes a visionary leader to scale a siloed corporate security function into a robust, successful company-wide program. Andrew “Drew” Schrader , Head of Corporate Security at  Panasonic North America , knows this all too well. He joined the company to help build strategic partne...

To achieve business resilience, organizations must be prepared for any emergency that comes their way. For  Liberty Mutual , that means building preparedness plans that include three primary components: Crisis management, emergency response, and business recovery. Ashley Goosman , Risk Manager of Business Continuity & Crisis Management Specialist at  Liberty Mutual , has helped manag...

In today’s heightened threat landscape, organizations have a greater need for innovative threat monitoring and identification tools to protect their people and business. But who are the people working behind the scenes to ensure these tools are surfacing fast, accurate, and relevant information to those who rely on it to keep employees out of harm’s way? At AlertMedia, it’s the Global Threat Intel...

In response to rising temperatures and concern for vulnerable workers, OSHA recently implemented a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to protect employees from heat-related hazards and illnesses in the workplace. Understandably, many organizations have questions about how they will be impacted by the program and how to comply with the new guidance.  Courtney Malveaux , Co-Leader of the Workplace...

Extreme heat is a growing threat, nationally and globally. With temperatures rising—especially in traditionally cooler regions—it’s crucial that organizations understand how extreme heat impacts their people, facilities, and business. In part one of our two-part series on extreme heat, Paul Yura, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the  National Weather Service , shares significant heat tre...

A new research study revealed that 2.8 million workplace accidents and injuries occur in the U.S. private sector each year. One of the best ways to prevent and control occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities is to “design out” or minimize hazards and risks. This concept is known as Prevention Through Design. Mike Taubitz , Senior Advisor at  FDRsafety , joins us this week to explain...

How can military and journalist training benefit an organization’s safety and security programs? By applying the same universal safety principles to improve risk management and  situational awareness in the workplace . Tim Crockett , Founder and Senior Consultant at  Flying Frog Consultants , is a veteran of the British Special Forces and spent his life and career in and out of war zones...

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe, affecting thousands of lives and properties each year. For organizations located in areas threatened by wildfires, or with remote workers located in those areas, it’s vital to have a wildfire preparedness plan to protect people and minimize impact. Jason Moreland , Senior Meteorologist at  AlertMedia , joins us for part two of our 2022 Weather...

Whataburger  is a household name and a staple of communities across the country. With 860 quick-service restaurants in 14 states and more than 50,000 employees to protect, safety is a top priority for the beloved burger chain 24/7. Ron Derrick , Corporate Senior Emergency Manager, leads Whataburger’s robust command center and is responsible for all escalated incidents at the restaurants, lear...

2021 was the deadliest year on record for gun violence, and this year is already on track to surpass it. Considering the recent mass shooting events and millions of employees going back to the office, it’s important for organizations to re-evaluate their workplace violence preparedness plans to ensure the safety of their people. Proper preparedness and training can mean the difference between life...

The CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) believes that organizations should look beyond traditional safety programs to create healthier, more fulfilling work environments for their people. Today’s guest,  Dr. Casey Chosewood , is a Senior Medical Officer and Director of the  CDC’s NIOSH Total Worker Health® Program . The program seeks to improve the overall...

Hundreds of ransomware attacks threaten organizations every day. As the world integrates technology into more aspects of daily life, experts predict cyber crimes will only become more prevalent. Corey White , Co-founder & CEO at  Cyvatar , has more than 25 years of experience crafting security strategies and leading teams across various industries, such as government, finance, healthcare,...

When disaster strikes, thousands of American Red Cross employees and volunteers work tirelessly to provide immediate aid and assist in recovery. However, the Red Cross must ensure the safety of their own team before they can help others. Jennifer Pipa , VP of Disaster Programs at  American Red Cross , oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of disaster services pr...

Jason Moreland , Senior Meteorologist at  AlertMedia , fills in for Peter this week to break down the official 2022 hurricane season forecast. From what to expect to how to prepare, Jason offers his expert advice to help organizations save time, minimize impact, and protect their people, no matter where they work. In this episode, Jason explains: Detailed forecast predictions and how they com...

Austin Pets Alive! is not your average animal rescue organization. It has multiple locations, hundreds of employees and volunteers, and has saved nearly 100,000 animals over the last decade. But the organization has a number of safety and security challenges to overcome, like workplace hazards in an older building, dispersed workers and pets, severe weather, and location-based security concerns.&n...

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we are fostering discussion around psychological safety in the workplace. Dr. Tracy Brower , Sociologist and  Author , joins the show to explain the sociology of work — the scientific study of the relationship between people and their jobs. Understanding the sociology of work can help organizations improve the psychological safety and mental h...