The Interesting Health & Safety Podcast

This week, Colin joins Pete Rushmer of Fleet Geeks, to talk about the benefits of peer-to-peer groups, and how being a part of a community can help us to overcome doubts, find inspiration, and aid in the challenges we face as part of the business world. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sharing your wins and discussing your setbacks with likeminded people can help us to view events from a different perspective. You c...

As Colin reveals in this highly personal episode, surface appearances can be deceptive, especially when it comes to people, and that we should never take our mental wellbeing for granted. KEY TAKEAWAYS Even when people appear to be capable, confident and competent on the surface, they can be deeply troubled inside. Earning a living is necessary, but we must make time for life outside of work. It's...

In the world of business, it can be tempting to push ourselves harder to get more done, but as Colin explains in this week's episode, it's also valuable to take time out to reflect and relax. KEY TAKEAWAYS Time spent on relentless tasks will eventually take its toll on you. Recharging your batteries can help you to appreciate why you work so hard. Looking after yourself is crucial in keeping you t...

How well do we understand the controls we have in place, and how relevant are they? Are we confident that they are being effectively used? As Colin discusses this week, it might be time to take a whole new look at the controls we use, and determine if they're truly needed. KEY TAKEAWAYS Some controls do not serve a useful purpose, or are completely ineffectual. They simply serve to clutter the pro...

In the third of a three-part series, Colin talks to David Gold, the founder of Gold-Knecht Associates, and Stuart Hughes, the head of safety for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Grand Prix. Stuart and David have authored a paper on COVID and the impact it has had upon the safety profession, and in this episode they discuss the ways in which the profession and sector need to change in the wake...

In the second of a three-part series, Colin talks to David Gold, the founder of Gold-Knecht Associates, and Stuart Hughes, the head of safety for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Grand Prix. Stuart and David have authored a paper on COVID and the impact it has had upon the safety profession, the participants involved and how the process worked, as well as some of the details of the findings....

In the first of a three-part series, Colin talks to David Gold, the founder of Gold-Knecht Associates, and Stuart Hughes, the head of safety for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Grand Prix. Stuart and David have authored a paper on COVID and the impact it has had upon the safety profession, and join Colin to talk about their groundbreaking work. In this first part, David and Stuart talk about...

Colin joins a panel of experts, including Employment Lawyer, Matt Ginger, Sales Trainer Paul Kilby, Graphic Designer Paul Tompsett, Psychologist Lee Chambers and Menopause Specialist Bev Thorogood, to talk about why men need to be involved in the menopause conversation. KEY TAKEAWAYS While men may not be physically impacted by the effects of menopause, we can still learn a lot by using curiosity a...

Sometimes, by asking the right questions, the answers can provide unintended consequences - positive or negative. In this episode, Colin talks about why we should be looking for positive proactive indicators in our organisations. KEY TAKEAWAYS If all we focus on is the issue in front of our eyes, then we can sometimes fail to notice the underlying issues and other problems that may be resolves as...

When it comes to our personal finances, we are constantly told to refine and reduce until we are paying for just the essentials. But should safety be treated in the same way? In this episode, Colin explains why refining and reducing can help us to streamline measures and make things far easier for ourselves. KEY TAKEAWAYS Cutting back on the things we do not necessarily need allow us to achieve st...

This week, the show is taken over by special guests, Elisa and Crystal, who answer the thought-provoking question, should we celebrate International Women's Day? The answer may surprise you… KEY TAKEAWAYS Representation is vital and should be encouraged, but the conversation and inclusion should stretch far beyond a single day each year. International Women's Day itself is a positive movement, but...

In the first of a new mini-series, Colin presents part one of 'Diary of A Safety Guy', a running commentary of ideas and events designed to give you a better insight into the routines and challenges faced by safety professionals. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's useful to talk to people, but even more useful to listen, engage and share in the journeys of others. This is where the learnings can be found. Communi...

This week, Colin challenges you to examine what your personal development plans look like, and asks you to re-evaluate your goals in order to be at your best. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's very easy to think about developing yourself, but a solid action plan can hold us accountable, and spur us on to take action. Working on ourselves allows us to see what we're capable of. Sometimes, we can surprise ourselve...

Whether inside of work or outside of work, it's worth taking a moment to think about how important communities are to us. In this episode, Colin considers this question, and passes along the consideration to you. KEY TAKEAWAYS When we create environments that are open and honest, it allows free expression, and encourages us to do better. This principle also applies to the workplaces we nurture. If...

Colin talks about some personal experiences relating to induction, the results of which have provided a series of insights regarding this topic, that many may find invaluable when it comes to inductions of their own. KEY TAKEAWAYS Inductions should endeavour not to be condescending affairs. First impressions last. When people join our organisations, we should instil a level of trust in their abili...

Colin talks about traffic management risk assessments, and offers some insights into the areas we should consider so as to make sure that our people remain safe at all times. KEY TAKEAWAYS Risk assessments are generally carried out on roads, but there are many more places that we should examine. Our people should always have the correct training. With their knowledge and expertise kept in constant...

Colin talks to Lindy Scott, the founder and Creative Director at Amber, The Health and Safety Communication Platform, about the creative ways in which she is engaging with workers, as well as the journey that has brought her to where she is today. KEY TAKEAWAYS We have to make sure that important messaging isn't lost amongst the drip feed of communication that is all too common in the workplace. M...

This week, Colin is joined by Peter Jenkins, a safety specialist, and the Group Health And Safety Manager for Dalziel, to discuss his incredible journey in business, and the topic of risk and risk perception - how it affects us as individuals, and how it has evolved across time. KEY TAKEAWAYS Impostor syndrome can be an issue amongst health and safety professionals, but it can be overcome by focus...

As the festivities of Christmas and the new year come to an end, it's time to start thinking about going back to work. In this episode, Colin talks about what that picture might look like for the year ahead. KEY TAKEAWAYS We must consider how we are going to raise levels of engagement and motivation when our people return to the workplace. The worst thing we can do is to encourage our people to si...

With Christmas now behind us, it's time to look to the new year, but it's also important to reflect on the year gone by, taking in the lessons learned, and considering which teaching we can carry over into 2022. KEY TAKEAWAYS Many guests and listeners have made the Interesting Health And Safety podcast a huge success in 2021, with their insights and communications. Great things are about to happen...

Colin drops in to say thank you to all the listeners, and wish you all the happiest of Christmas breaks! KEY TAKEAWAYS This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the year we've had - where the wins were, and what we need to improve. Make a plan to engage with your employees and make it a priority. The more we open dialogue channels, the more successful we'll be. BEST MOMENTS 'It's been an abs...

Verena Seibert-Giller is a psychologist, human behaviour specialist and user experience expert, and joins Colin on this episode to talk about what makes a good document, process and procedure - one that provokes far more user-engagement, and which can lead to a greater level of interaction from our people. KEY TAKEAWAYS Documents often suffer from being overstuffed with information that is simply...

Living in the moment is important, but it's also wise to look ahead sometimes. In this week's show, Colin discusses why planning for the future is to be encouraged, especially as the new year approaches. KEY TAKEAWAYS Looking at the longer game and challenging the business, examining the strategy and your goals, is crucial in order to keep the lifeblood of your business pumping. Businesses tend to...

With the changing of the seasons comes a change in the challenges we may face. This week, Colin talks about the value of preparation, and why being that extra bit more attentive could spare you an extra degree of stress during the winter period. KEY TAKEAWAYS Having a robust set of checks in place, and being more attentive than usual, can help to alleviate any extra stresses caused by the challeng...

Colin is joined by leadership executive coach, chartered occupational psychologist, and certified business principle psychologist, Amanda Potter. Amanda discusses the concept of psychological safety, why it is crucial as a practice and how we can better equip managers to embrace it, as well as the importance of letting people's voices be heard. KEY TAKEAWAYS Psychological safety is something we mu...