The Safety Geek Podcast: Geeking Out About Workplace Safety

Hosted by Safety Brye

Business Education

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Episodes

139

Latest episode

Feb 2026

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About the show

The Safety Geek coaches and trains workplace safety managers, who struggle with support and commitment, effective strategies to change their company’s culture and to become safety leaders. I am dedicated to helping the industrial safety manager improve their health and safety program. Whether you are an experienced EHS professional or you are new to the safety field, I am here to guide you to implement the best workplace safety program. Every week I will answer questions that have come in through the website or dive deep into a safety topic; I will cover issues such as management commitment, safety culture, behavior-based safety, safety awareness, employee involvement, the psychology of safety and so much more.

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60 recent

February 23, 2026Episode 13946 min

Women's PPE Safety: Why Fit Matters in Trades

This episode explores the critical importance of women's PPE safety and how properly fitting gear transforms workplace safety for women in the trades. It covers the risks of ill-fitting PPE, the true costs to organizations, and practical strategies to select and implement tailored safety solutions. Listeners will learn how to foster a safety culture that supports women and the future trends shaping women's workwear safety. Read the full shownotes at: https://thesafetygeek.com/139 Links Mentioned: Red Wing Shoes Time Stamps 00:00 Why Women’s PPE Fit Is a Safety Issue (Not Style) 01:48 Meet Tito Warren & Why This Topic Matters 03:06 Tito’s Global Safety Journey: Building Standards from the Ground Up 04:36 Women Entering the Trades Worldwide: What Tito Sees Internationally 07:32 The ‘Shrink It and Pink It’ Era—and Why It Had to End 08:43 Designing PPE ‘For Her’: How Red Wing Builds Fit the Right Way 10:19 Real-World Risks of Ill-Fitting PPE: Boots, Gloves, and Snag Hazards 14:56 The Business Case: Cost, Comfort, Productivity, and Compliance 20:46 Safety Culture Wins: Companies That Invest in the Best Gear 22:47 Getting Leadership Buy-In: Red Wing as a Partner, Not Just a Vendor 24:05 Leverage Suppliers as Safety Partners (Standards, Labs & Credibility) 26:06 Building a Safety Culture in Any Industry (Oil & Gas Lessons) 27:45 Align PPE to Hazard Assessments: Fit, Form, Function 28:55 The Future of PPE: Everyday Wear, More Comfort, More Compliance 33:11 Stop Buying Cheap PPE: Value, Risk, and Making Educated Choices 36:24 Fit Matters: Get Properly Fitted & Test PPE Before the Jobsite 39:31 Footwear as a Foundation: Long-Term Body Health & Injury Prevention 41:34 Respect & Inclusion: Why Women’s PPE Matters for Morale and Safety 42:45 Final Wrap-Up: How to Connect with Red Wing & Partner Up Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode. If you liked it, be sure to share it with your best safety friend. It's a goal of The Safety Geek to elevate the role of the safety manager, and that is why I share tips and resources on how you can manage your safety program more effectively. Visit the website at https://TheSafetyGeek.com Subscribe to the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/safetygeek Sign up for the Safety Leadership Newsletter, where I share exclusive tips, content, forms, and templates at https://TheSafetyGeek.com/Newsletter Follow me @ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSafetyGeek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brye-sargent/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safety_brye/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thesafetygeek/

January 5, 2026Episode 13829 min

Safety Goal Setting Strategies That Drive Real Results

This podcast explores the challenges with traditional safety goal setting and presents ethical strategies that focus on controllable actions. Learn how reframing safety goals with a data-driven, action-oriented approach can improve safety culture and reduce workplace injuries. Gain insights into best practices for setting measurable safety goals and fostering accountability at all organizational levels. Links Mentioned: Safety Leadership Academy Atomic Habits by James Clear Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Safety Goals 01:11 Reflecting on the Past Year 02:55 The Problem with Traditional Safety Goals 04:53 Ethical and Control Issues in Safety Goals 11:31 Actionable Steps for Effective Safety Goals 16:51 Setting Personal and Organizational Goals 25:40 Conclusion and Looking Forward Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode. If you liked it, be sure to share it with your best safety friend. It's a goal of The Safety Geek to elevate the role of the safety manager, and that is why I share tips and resources on how you can manage your safety program more effectively. Visit the website at https://TheSafetyGeek.com Subscribe to the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/safetygeek Sign up for the Safety Leadership Newsletter, where I share exclusive tips, content, forms, and templates at https://TheSafetyGeek.com/Newsletter Follow me @ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSafetyGeek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brye-sargent/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safety_brye/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thesafetygeek/

December 15, 2025Episode 13719 min

Safety Program Structure to Boost Engagement & Influence

This episode explores how traditional safety program structures limit engagement and offers a step-by-step guide to redesign roles and processes. Discover strategies to redistribute responsibilities, strengthen supervisor safety capabilities, and create meaningful employee participation. Learn why building influence over authority leads to sustainable safety improvements and how to measure continuous progress. Read the full show notes at https://thesafetygeek.com/137 Links Mentioned: Artificial Authority Trap Solving the Leadership Accountability Problem Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Supervisor Involvement in Safety 00:57 Greeting and Personal Anecdote 01:23 Defining the Role of Frontline Supervisors in Safety 03:06 Challenges Faced by Supervisors 03:52 Tip 1: Integrate Safety into Daily Tasks 06:14 Tip 2: Combine Safety with Quality and Operations 08:32 Tip 3: Shadow Supervisors Regularly 09:51 Tip 4: Empower Employees 13:25 Tip 5: Conduct Regular Supervisor Meetings 17:27 Conclusion and Call to Action Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode. If you liked it, be sure to share it with your best safety friend. It's a goal of The Safety Geek to elevate the role of the safety manager, and that is why I share tips and resources on how you can manage your safety program more effectively. Visit the website at https://TheSafetyGeek.com Subscribe to the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/safetygeek Sign up for the Safety Leadership Newsletter, where I share exclusive tips, content, forms, and templates at https://TheSafetyGeek.com/Newsletter Follow me @ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSafetyGeek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brye-sargent/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safety_brye/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thesafetygeek/

December 8, 2025Episode 13619 min

5 Proven Ways to Boost Supervisor Accountability in Safety Management

This post shares five practical strategies to enhance supervisor accountability in safety management without overwhelming them. Learn how to integrate safety into existing workflows, engage employees in safety tasks, and use regular safety huddles to foster a culture of safety excellence. These tips help reduce incidents, improve productivity, and build sustainable safety practices from the frontline up. See the full show notes at https://thesafetygeek.com/136 Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Supervisor Involvement in Safety 00:57 Personal Greeting and Seasonal Remarks 01:23 Defining the Role of Supervisors in Safety 03:06 Challenges Supervisors Face with Safety Tasks 03:52 Tip 1: Integrate Safety into Daily Tasks 06:14 Tip 2: Combine Safety with Quality and Operations 08:32 Tip 3: Shadow Supervisors Regularly 09:51 Tip 4: Empower Employees to Lead 13:25 Tip 5: Conduct Regular Supervisor Meetings 17:27 Conclusion and Call to Action Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode. If you liked it, be sure to share it with your best safety friend. It's a goal of The Safety Geek to elevate the role of the safety manager, and that is why I share tips and resources on how you can manage your safety program more effectively. Visit the website at https://TheSafetyGeek.com Subscribe to the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/safetygeek Sign up for the Safety Leadership Newsletter, where I share exclusive tips, content, forms, and templates at https://TheSafetyGeek.com/Newsletter Follow me @ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSafetyGeek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brye-sargent/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safety_brye/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thesafetygeek/

November 24, 2025Episode 13537 min

Mental Health in Safety Management

This episode explores the crucial role of mental health in safety management, highlighting resources for employees, navigating mental health claims, and fostering psychological safety. It also addresses the challenges faced by safety professionals themselves and offers actionable steps to improve mental well-being at work. Learn how supporting mental health directly contributes to creating safer, more resilient workplaces. Read the full show notes at https://thesafetygeek.com/135 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Dark Side of Safety Management 01:35 Thanksgiving Reflections and Gratitude 02:35 Mental Health in Safety Management 04:30 Supporting Employees Through Mental Health Challenges 21:02 Addressing Mental Health Claims and Psychological Safety 25:25 The Mental Health of Safety Professionals 34:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode. If you liked it, be sure to share it with your best safety friend. It's a goal of The Safety Geek to elevate the role of the safety manager, and that is why I share tips and resources on how you can manage your safety program more effectively. Visit the website at https://TheSafetyGeek.com Subscribe to the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/safetygeek Sign up for the Safety Leadership Newsletter, where I share exclusive tips, content, forms, and templates at https://TheSafetyGeek.com/Newsletter Follow me @ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSafetyGeek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brye-sargent/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safety_brye/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thesafetygeek/

October 13, 2025Episode 13435 min

Safety in New Business Acquisitions: Best Practices

In this episode, we explore the critical importance of safety in new business acquisitions. Discover best practices for effective safety program evaluations, onboarding strategies, and hazard assessments to protect your investment and ensure compliance. Join us as we delve into practical steps for integrating safety during the acquisition process. Read the full show notes at https://thesafetygeek.com/134 Links Mentioned: Hazard Assessment Workshop Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Business Growth and Safety Challenges 00:41 Personal Update and Context 02:25 The Prevalence of Business Acquisitions 04:02 Lessons from Early Acquisition Experiences 06:42 Effective Strategies for New Acquisitions 07:17 Understanding the Acquisition Transition Period 12:18 Setting the Right Tone and Expectations 19:01 Prioritizing Safety Issues 26:14 Ongoing Management and Review 29:48 Creating a Repeatable Onboarding Process 31:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode. If you liked it, be sure to share it with your best safety friend. It's a goal of The Safety Geek to elevate the role of the safety manager, and that is why I share tips and resources on how you can manage your safety program more effectively. Visit the website at https://TheSafetyGeek.com Subscribe to the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/safetygeek Sign up for the Safety Leadership Newsletter, where I share exclusive tips, content, forms, and templates at https://TheSafetyGeek.com/Newsletter Follow me @ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSafetyGeek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brye-sargent/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safety_brye/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thesafetygeek/

September 22, 2025Episode 13336 min

[Part 2] Top Real-World Safety Issues

In this episode of the Safety Geek Podcast, we dive into the top safety issues faced in the workplace, sharing five real-world challenges from firsthand experience. Gain insights into blocked exits, CDL driver regulations, high-hazard controls, chemical exposure management, and the importance of effective supervisory training. Learn practical steps to mitigate risks and foster a safety-first culture in your organization. Read the full show notes at https://thesafetygeek.com/133 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Safety Challenges 00:36 Top Safety Issues Overview 03:03 Blocked Exits and Eyewash Stations 10:15 CDL Drivers and Dual Logs 15:45 High Hazard Compliance Issues 21:13 CO2 Leak Incident 26:27 Ammonia Refrigeration Incident 33:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode. If you liked it, be sure to share it with your best safety friend. It's a goal of The Safety Geek to elevate the role of the safety manager, and that is why I share tips and resources on how you can manage your safety program more effectively. Visit the website at https://TheSafetyGeek.com Subscribe to the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/safetygeek Sign up for the Safety Leadership Newsletter, where I share exclusive tips, content, forms, and templates at https://TheSafetyGeek.com/Newsletter Follow me @ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSafetyGeek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brye-sargent/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safety_brye/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thesafetygeek/

September 15, 2025Episode 13242 min

Top Safety Issues in Workplace: Lessons Learned from the Worst Safety Incidents [Part 1]

In this episode, I answer the question, "What were the worst safety issues I've experienced?" Learn valuable lessons from real-world incidents and discover practical strategies to improve safety management while addressing employee concerns. Join us as we explore how to transform safety challenges into actionable solutions. Links Mentioned: Weekly masterclass: https://thesafetygeek.com/smis Email your podcast topics to support@thesafetygeek.com Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update 01:44 Family Loss and Lessons Learned 07:10 Masterclass and Q&A Introduction 10:17 Worst Case Scenario in Safety Management 15:06 Top 10 Safety Issues: Part 1 15:40 Issue #2 20:16 Issue #2 25:51 Issue #3 29:10 Issue #4 33:24 Issue #5 38:27 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode. If you liked it, be sure to share it with your best safety friend. It's a goal of The Safety Geek to elevate the role of the safety manager, and that is why I share tips and resources on how you can manage your safety program more effectively. Visit the website at https://TheSafetyGeek.com Subscribe to the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/safetygeek Sign up for the Safety Leadership Newsletter, where I share exclusive tips, content, forms, and templates at https://TheSafetyGeek.com/Newsletter Follow me @ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSafetyGeek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brye-sargent/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safety_brye/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thesafetygeek/

August 11, 2025Episode 13119 min

Strategies for Influencing Contractor Safety Practices

This podcast discusses effective strategies for influencing contractor safety practices on long-term projects. Learn how to foster a safety culture, implement effective training, and maintain communication with contractors. Explore the importance of oversight and collaborative structures to ensure safety compliance without assuming supervisory liabilities. Read the full show notes at https://thesafetygeek.com/131 Links Mentioned: How to Create a Contractor Safety Program from Scratch Safety Management Academy Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Contractor Safety Challenges 01:33 Welcome and Podcast Introduction 02:15 Understanding Contractor Safety Management 03:00 Defining the Scope of Contractor Work 05:00 Risks and Liabilities of Contractor Work 07:18 Strategies for Ensuring Contractor Compliance 09:53 Building a Collaborative Safety Culture 10:32 Setting Up for Success with Contractors 14:27 Creating a Contractor Advisory Committee 17:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode. If you liked it, be sure to share it with your best safety friend. It's a goal of The Safety Geek to elevate the role of the safety manager, and that is why I share tips and resources on how you can manage your safety program more effectively. Visit the website at https://TheSafetyGeek.com Subscribe to the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/safetygeek Sign up for the Safety Leadership Newsletter, where I share exclusive tips, content, forms, and templates at https://TheSafetyGeek.com/Newsletter Follow me @ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSafetyGeek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brye-sargent/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safety_brye/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thesafetygeek/

August 4, 2025Episode 13022 min

Influencing Safety in the Public Sector

In this podcast episode, we explore safety management in the public sector and discuss the unique challenges faced by government organizations. We'll reveal strategies to build high-impact safety practices, engage employees, and effectively implement safety systems within budget constraints. Learn how to align safety objectives with the mission of public entities to drive meaningful change. Read the full show notes at https://thesafetygeek.com/130 Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode. If you liked it, be sure to share it with your best safety friend. It's a goal of The Safety Geek to elevate the role of the safety manager, and that is why I share tips and resources on how you can manage your safety program more effectively. Visit the website at https://TheSafetyGeek.com Subscribe to the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/safetygeek Sign up for the Safety Leadership Newsletter, where I share exclusive tips, content, forms, and templates at https://TheSafetyGeek.com/Newsletter Follow me @ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSafetyGeek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brye-sargent/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safety_brye/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thesafetygeek/