The Interesting Health & Safety Podcast

In the first of a two-part conversation, Colin talks to Simon Bown, formerly in charge of health and safety at Luton airport, and now overseeing safety at Keolis Amey Docklands light railway. It’s an insightful, thought-provoking conversation that’ll inspire and empower all health and safety practitioners. In part one, Simon discusses the principles of good health and safety in business and the im...

It’s impossible not to consider the impact and effects of COVID upon our society. But we should also take time to reflect upon the positive ways in which this downtime has given us the opportunity to pause and observe. This week, Colin reflects upon the ways in which the experience has affected him and his business personally. KEY TAKEAWAYS Working remotely has become the norm, but it’s also allow...

Colin talks about the three reasons why you should always focus upon what you gain from a health and safety perspective, instead of what you lose.  Far too often in business, the focus lies on the wrong areas of implementation, and in this week’s show, Colin explains why. KEY TAKEAWAYS Target zero and similar systems drive people to silence. Why would we encourage an element of business that preve...

In this week’s show, Colin talks to Environmental Health Officer, Phil Clarke of Nuffield Health, a firm proponent of a more holistic approach to safety, and whose responsibilities see him daily overseeing the wellbeing of gyms, hospitals, and almost 15,000 workers across around 400 sites nationwide. KEY TAKEAWAYS Health and safety is too often categorised as simple risk assessment, when the reali...

There are a handful of areas in each business that require a constant learning process. This week, Colin offers a brief discourse upon the simple things we can all do to make sure our businesses are running to their full potential. KEY TAKEAWAYS It’s all very well to take lessons from the negatives, but we should always endeavour to focus primarily upon the areas in which we are succeeding, and le...

Has Health & Safety become a nerdy subject? When is it okay to truly “nerd out” about such an important subject? Well perhaps that day has come, as Colin meets Sam Goodman, otherwise known as “The HOP Nerd”, a specialist in Human & Organisational Performance, who joins the show to discuss the most important part of any business: people! KEY TAKEAWAYS There is a thriving community of health and saf...

The Interesting Health And Safety Podcast celebrates a true milestone this week, with the release of its 100th episode. It’s been a fascinating and insightful journey over the course of the past year; one that has taught its host, Colin, many invaluable lessons, and one that has left in its wake one hundred pieces of empowering,  perceptive content. To mark the occasion, Colin is in a reflective m...

Colin talks to Max Merritt, who has not only recently founded a window cleaning company in Lincolnshire, but a podcast series documenting the entire process.  Max joins Colin today to talk about many topics, such as the nuts and bolts of building a business from scratch, the hazards of being a window cleaner, and how the lockdown has affected the startup process. KEY TAKEAWAYS The best way to grow...

In this episode of The Interesting Health and Safety Podcast, Colin reflects on the last 99 episodes in preparation for the big 100th episode milestone! In this episode Colin discuss if we should ditch the term ‘Health and Safety’. Looking into how the word ‘safety’ has greater use and meaning than ‘health’ in the industry and distilling what our industry covers to understand how it may evolve in...

In this week’s show, Colin chats to Anna Gaughey and Philippa Breckon of Penshaw View, a family-run company delivering high quality health and safety training and consultancy nationwide. Anna has recently become the first person to become a safety, health and environmental apprentice. Along with Philippa, they discuss the ways in which this new qualification is shaking up the industry, tailoring b...

In this episode of The Interesting Health and Safety Podcast, Colin gives shares with us a better definition of ‘Risk’. Colin asks us to consider the true meaning of ‘Hazard’ and ‘Risk’, a Hazard being something that can cause you harm. A ‘Risk’ is how CLOSE you are to the hazard. Calculating risk has been seen as a linear process for too long, risk needs to be seen as dynamic and ever changing. R...

In this podcast, Colin has been reflecting on interviews and books by Sidney Dekker; more specifically his take on Incidents. “ An incident is an investment that you’ve already made” So if you’ve already made the investment, reclaim your asset and get the most out of what you’ve already done. To get the learning, it is not about ‘pointing the finger’ and finding blame; dismissing the individual wh...

In this episode of The Interesting Health and Safety Podcast, Colin talks about RULES! Through Colin’s experience with various businesses, he has come to learn that ‘golden rules’ mean NOTHING! Having too many rules, regulations and standards in place can lead to unnecessary complications and a ‘risk secrecy’ culture in the workplace.  Creating a more simplistic environment for your workers can le...

Colin is joined by Clive Lloyd, a specialist in psychological safety and how to build and maintain trust in the workplace.  Clive has joined Colin to discuss the many ways in which companies can engender trust, and by doing so increase aversion to risk in their own workplaces. KEY TAKEAWAYS There are no better predictors of workplace safety than trust and mistrust, and yet most companies do not em...

In this episode of the Interesting Health and Safety Podcast, Colin discusses the prospect of returning to work from lockdown. How to you manage and protect your workers to keep them safe as the country recovers. This is not just the physical aspects of safety such as equipment or distancing, but also the psychological aspects of safety. Most people will have been through an incredibly tough time...

Colin is joined by Karl Simons, the Health, Safety, Security and Wellbeing Director for Thames Water, who was recently named as SHP’s Most Influential Person In Health & Safety 2019. Karl and Colin discuss the importance of culture upon change, and the vital role that senior management play in determining the direction and message of health in the workplace. KEY TAKEAWAYS Health and safety is a te...

In this episode of The Health and Safety Podcast, Colin has 3 things that he wants you to consider during lockdown! The Fridge – STOP SNACKING!! It’s so easy to be tempted into eating a bit more than you usually would! Find ways of controlling what you are eating and spend less time in the fridge.   The Drinks Cabinet – A cheeky glass every once in a while isn’t a bad thing! However day drinking i...

Todd Conklin is the host of one of the world’s most popular podcasts centred around Health & Safety - The Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast - and through his tireless efforts in promoting the cause, he has been called to speak and mentor around the globe. Todd joins Colin to discuss the world of health and safety, how it’s changed now that COVID-19 has taken its toll, and what the sector will loo...

This time on the Interesting Health and Safety podcast, Colin tells us two things that we can do during lockdown to make the most of our time and to improve out health and safety business! The first is to look at the statutory things that you are required to do in your business (for example electrical systems, fire extinguishers) keeping on top of these elements and getting them tested is still pa...

In this episode of The Interesting Health and Safety Podcast, Colin explains the importance of finding opportunity out of adversity. During this corona virus pandemic, people are forced to live their lives differently. Some people still have to go to work and be exposed whilst others are locked down in their own homes. Colin reflects on how he has been making the most of lockdown and how he is don...

James McPherson has been described as the “hip young gunslinger” of Health & Safety after launching his hugely successful Rebranding Safety podcast in December of 2018. As a podcasting contemporary, Colin is in informal mode today with James, where they discuss the impact that podcasting itself is having on safety awareness, their shared love of sport and the message and purpose that connect them....

In this episode of The Interesting Health and Safety Podcast, Colin talks about his experience in mentoring a brand new starter in the health and safety industry. Colin talks about the difficulties getting experience in the field of health and safety as a new starter and how YOU could build a plan to improve your experience and employability. This unprecedented time is a perfect excuse to get out...

Colin is in conversation with James Thorne, the CEO of The Institute Of Quarrying (IOQ). James has marked himself out in the industry as a man determined to push practices forward, and coupled with his dynamic thinking and methodologies. James joins the show today to talk through some of the innovative ways in which he hopes to lead The IOQ into tomorrow’s world. KEY TAKEAWAYS Future-proofing plan...

In this special two-part conversation, Colin chats to sisters, Elaine Crewe and Sharon De Caesteker, the founders of Wellbeing4Life, who offer a range of holistic wellbeing services that encourage individuals and businesses to use creativity, courage and imagination in order to achieve happiness, health and joy. In part two of their conversation, Sharon and Elaine discuss the challenges of working...

In this special two-part conversation, Colin chats to sisters, Elaine Crewe and Sharon De Caesteker, the founders of Wellbeing4Life, who offer a range of holistic wellbeing services that encourage individuals and businesses to use creativity, courage and imagination in order to achieve happiness, health and joy. In part one of the conversation, Elaine and Sharon discuss their backgrounds and purpo...