The Interesting Health & Safety Podcast

After observing some of the front line workers in his profession and engaging with them on a one-to-one basis, Colin reflects upon the skills that make business great. KEY TAKEAWAYS The finest proponents of safety practices are those who believe in what they're been taught about safety and why it matters. When people understand and apply safety practices well, they make the world of business that...

This week, Colin talks about risk assessment, and why it might be time to overhaul our systems, so that we may more accurately measure the confidence we have in the procedures in place. KEY TAKEAWAYS Typical examinations of risk assessments in the workplace are generally rather dull and uninspired. What is missing is the confidence in the controls. Rather than assessing the effectiveness of the co...

Taking a role in a company is similar to the All Blacks philosophy on joining the team, where players "wear the jersey with pride". As Colin discusses in this week's show, we create legacies by taking such pride in the roles we are given. KEY TAKEAWAYS When we are given a role in any business, it's about making it your own, but also wearing that "jersey" with pride. When you walk out into the fiel...

In this very special episode, Colin talks to the amazing Candice Mama, the survivor of one of the most traumatic ordeals imaginable, about the ways in which she found redemption and peace in its wake, and how she learned to prioritise her emotional wellbeing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Each and every human being has the potential to be incredible, and has the opportunity in life to truly change the world. In t...

This week, Colin talks to Crystal Danbury, the director of safety and insurance for Sainsburys PLC, and who formerly led safety at companies such as Openreach, Geodis and Camelot. Crystal talks to Colin about the ways in which safety has evolved since the beginning of her own journey, the importance of being on the front lines of business in order to better assess requirements, and how to refine p...

In a very special edition of the show, Colin introduces you to an all-new show - The Project Mollitiam Show - a monthly digest of the goings on in and around Project Mollitiam itself, and in the company of Colin's co-host, James McPherson. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Project Mollitiam show will feature updates on the organisation itself, as well as more focussed topics on what's hot each month. The aim of P...

We've arrived at episode 200, and to mark the occasion, Colin is here to tell you a story that illustrates perfectly why you don't always have to be the most knowledgeable one in the room. Sometimes, there are other skills that matter way much more...   KEY TAKEAWAYS As a health and safety professional, you don't need to be a pillar of wisdom. You simply need to be the best facilitator you can be....

Colin talks to Paul Clark, CEO of HSE Global Series, a global events series in North America, Middle East, United Kingdom, Europe & Africa, providing physical-based events that supply the world’s leading content and senior leadership engagement. Paul discusses the work that the HSE Global Series Foundation is doing in spreading the safety message to all corners of the world, and building a place t...

In this week's show Colin discusses the reasons why it's vital to include the people in your business when it comes to the risk assessment process. KEY TAKEAWAYS Management and leaders often assume that business operations are running along at a steady pace and at a certain level, but this might not always be the case. By involving the people on the front lines in the risk assessment process, we r...

Sometimes, during interactions, we fail to identify the third-person perspective - the one from which we can see a complete conversation from the outside. In this episode, Colin talks about the value to be found in "taking the third seat" when it comes to discussions and outcomes. KEY TAKEAWAYS By taking an outside perspective on a conversation, we are better able to see the best outcomes for all...

Colin is in a reflective mood today, as he marks the two year anniversary of the Interesting Health And Safety podcast - the insights gained, the connections made, and the success enjoyed by the show. KEY TAKEAWAYS A podcast, or any endeavour like it, is nothing without its audience, and no audience has been more helpful or inspiring than the Interesting Health And Safety's audience. Little matter...

This week, Colin is joined by international guest, Kessie Stevens, founder of Artis Solutions in Alberta, Canada, who discusses her journey through the world of safety in the workplace, why a more flexible approach is the future, and why awards do not necessarily reflect the real face of an organisation. KEY TAKEAWAYS Learning about safety is an ongoing pursuit. It begins with a spark of interest...

This week, Colin talks about the power of communication, and how by keeping those channels open, we create solutions for all. KEY TAKEAWAYS If we offer a solution, and receive a solution, it results in both parties having two solutions. The power of communication is much more than just exchange. Take the opportunity, when you have issues, to get out into the workplace and talk to people and share...

We often have cause to examine the gifts and skills of others, especially in business, but how often do we reflect upon our own skills? In this show, Colin talks about why self-examination is important, and can help you to discern the best areas in which you can improve. KEY TAKEAWAYS Identifying areas of improvement are only half of the task. We then must identify the method by which this improve...

In response to social media musings upon how we can move on from COVID from a health and safety perspective, Colin shares his thoughts on what the workplace can and should look like in our near future. KEY TAKEAWAYS The UK government's guidance has not been the clearest, which has muddied the waters when it comes to best practices. Workplace safety measures should be a collaborative effort, with i...

This week, Colin talks to Moni Hogg, a health and safety consultant, and Safety Differently leader based in New Zealand, about the revolutionary ways in which she is empowering workers on the front lines by allowing them to develop their own systems and processes, and how by taking small steps towards change, we can begin to see the possibilities of real progress. KEY TAKEAWAYS Openness, honesty a...

What kind of pronoun does your business have? Do we have a business that feels inclusive and more team-oriented, or is it a business that's more segregated? In this episode, Colin talks about the value in finding out what type of business you have. KEY TAKEAWAYS Simply listening to the ways in which people talk about your business will give you a far better idea about how it is perceived. If your...

Colin is in discussion with Bev Thorogood, a fellow podcast host, and the owner of Floresco Training, about the importance of raising awareness of the menopause in the workplace, and how it can impact such a huge percentage of the people we work with. KEY TAKEAWAYS The menopause should not be viewed as some kind of illness, but as a natural progression in life that happens to all women. Even eleme...

This week, Colin talks about getting back on our feet - the challenges and circumstances that have left many business owners and professionals knocked for a loop - and how we can look forward to the year ahead with optimism and positivity. KEY TAKEAWAYS With such upheaval in the workplace during the last 18 months, the onus of trust has been handed to the people at the sharp end of the business. W...

This week, Colin talks about active listening, and how by taking the time to really hear what people are saying, can add so much more value to every conversation. KEY TAKEAWAYS We are so conditioned to make sure that we are the ones putting our thoughts and opinions over, when in fact, by truly engaging with others, hearing what they're saying, we enrich every interaction. We get so pulled into th...

Colin discusses the ways in which businesses can move from a culture of dependency to interdependency - the holy grail of positive culture. KEY TAKEAWAYS Processes allow us to grow and scale and thrive as a business. By establishing these, we make huge improvements and positively impact growth. People are they key assets in growth. We need to make better use of the people themselves. Listen to the...

This week, Colin talks about the surprising lessons he's learned from his newly-acquired chickens, and how workplace environments matter. KEY TAKEAWAYS When we introduce new people to our environment, we must make sure we are considering their needs, and supplying them with a way to engage better. It's not enough to place people in places and expect them to find their own way to success. We must t...

This time round, Colin reflects upon what has happened in the last few months - the gifts that life has brought in the shape of the people he has connected with, and the prospects that keep us moving forward. KEY TAKEAWAYS People are the gift that keeps on giving. Voices, opinions, ideas and perspectives are what makes life worth living. By meeting and connecting with others, we enrich our lives a...

This week, Colin talks to James Pomeroy, the group health safety environment and security director at Lloyd's Register, to discuss the ways in which COVID has changed our lives and our society - in some ways for the better. KEY TAKEAWAYS Trust is a huge factor in every business sector, but even more so in the wake of COVID, where business owners are now trusting their people to work in a variety o...

This week, Colin tells you a story that will help to illustrate why it’s so important to challenge the traditional ways of communicating, and embrace the methods that can make our communication far more effective. KEY TAKEAWAYS When we actually consider the types of common communication and rate their effectiveness, we come to realise that nothing is really that perfect. Written communication and...