Women in Safety Podcast

Hosted by Women in Safety Podcast

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137

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Oct 2026

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About the show

A podcast designed to connect the safety profession through conversation and inspiration.

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60 recent

October 27, 2026Episode 2643 min

Safety Unpacked with Amy Morris - Influence Without Authority

Safety Influence: Is Getting Agreement Enough? Safety professionals are often expected to influence decisions without having the authority to make them. But what actually makes that influence effective? In this episode of Safety Unpacked, Alanna Ball and Amy Morris unpack research into how safety professionals try to influence managers, comparing the tactics professionals use with managers' perceptions of their effectiveness. They explore why rational persuasion, using evidence, reasoning and practical examples, may be more effective than relying on legislation, policies and formal authority alone. The conversation also challenges a common assumption: that a manager agreeing with safety advice necessarily means the message has influenced their decisions or behaviour. The discussion looks at the role of trust, organisational culture and competing business priorities, alongside the responsibility safety professionals carry to provide sound advice and the accountability managers retain for operational decisions. From production pressures to psychosocial risks, Alanna and Amy consider what it means to translate technical and legal knowledge into practical business decisions, and why understanding the outcome you want is essential before choosing how to influence it. Episode Highlights What research reveals about the influence tactics used by safety professionals and how managers perceive them Why rational persuasion, supported by evidence and reasoning, may be more effective than relying on rules and legislation alone The difference between gaining agreement and genuinely influencing decisions or behaviour How trust, organisational culture and competing priorities can affect a safety professional's ability to influence Why understanding the reasons behind resistance matters when choosing an influence strategy How to translate safety and risk information into practical business decisions The distinction between providing competent safety advice and having the authority to implement a decision How these challenges apply to psychosocial risks and organisational obligations Why the real test of influence may be what people do when the safety professional is not in the room Influence is more than getting someone to agree with you in a meeting. For safety professionals, it means understanding what needs to change, making a clear and credible case, and recognising the organisational factors that shape decisions. It also means understanding where their responsibility ends and where the accountability of decision-makers begins. Technical knowledge and an understanding of legislation are essential. But applying that knowledge in ways that help people make better decisions is another important part of safety expertise. The challenge is not simply to make the case for safety. It is to understand whether that case is changing what happens next. Stay connected with Women in Safety Website www.womeninsafety.net Visit the website for upcoming events, programs, and community updates, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed throughout the year. Instagram www.instagram.com/womeninsafety Follow along for conversations, community highlights, and insights from women across the health and safety profession. Become an Empowered Member www.womeninsafety.net/empoweredmembers Explore Empowered Membership to access deeper learning opportunities, exclusive events, and meaningful connection within the Women in Safety community.

October 13, 2026Episode 2540 min

Fatigue, Shifts and Changing Lanes with Audra Starkey

Shift Work, Fatigue and Health: Are We Preparing People Properly? Shift work asks a lot of the human body. But are workers given the knowledge and support they need to manage its impact on their health and performance? In this episode, Audra Starkey draws on more than 20 years of experience in aviation shift work to explore the often-overlooked demands of working outside conventional hours. From sleep and circadian rhythms to nutrition and recovery, the conversation examines what happens when work schedules conflict with the body's natural biological patterns. Audra also explores the gap between what people expect shift work to involve and what it actually demands. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding circadian rhythms, the role of chrononutrition in managing eating patterns around shift work, and why effective fatigue management requires more than asking workers to take responsibility for their own well-being. Organisational support, appropriate training and realistic recovery time all play a part in helping shift workers protect their health and perform safely. Episode Highlights The difference between the perceived demands of shift work and its actual impact on the body Why workers need a better understanding of the biological effects of shift work How circadian rhythms influence sleep, alertness and recovery The role of chrononutrition and meal timing in shift work health The physical and mental health considerations associated with shift work Why recovery time needs to be considered in roster and workload planning The responsibility organisations have in supporting fatigue management How better training and organisational support may help improve retention in shift-based roles Managing shift work involves more than getting through a roster and catching up on sleep when the opportunity arises. Workers need to understand how shift work affects their bodies, but organisations also need to recognise the demands involved and provide appropriate training, support and opportunities for recovery. For safety professionals and leaders, this means looking beyond individual fatigue management strategies and considering how rosters, working conditions and organisational expectations influence health and performance. Because fatigue management should not depend entirely on how well an individual copes. It should also consider how well the organisation supports them. Stay connected with Women in Safety Website www.womeninsafety.net Visit the website for upcoming events, programs, and community updates, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed throughout the year. Instagram www.instagram.com/womeninsafety Follow along for conversations, community highlights, and insights from women across the health and safety profession. Become an Empowered Member www.womeninsafety.net/empoweredmembers Explore Empowered Membership to access deeper learning opportunities, exclusive events, and meaningful connection within the Women in Safety community.

October 5, 2026Episode 2436 min

First Aid in Agriculture with Joanna Bone

Making Safety Training Work for Rural and Remote Agriculture Safety training looks very different when the nearest help may be a long way away. In this episode, Alanna speaks with Joanna Bone about her journey from agriculture and nursing into safety training, and what those experiences have taught her about the realities of keeping people safe in rural and remote workplaces. Jo shares insights into the safety challenges faced by people working in agriculture, including the practical realities of remote work, emergency response and providing first aid when immediate support may not be close by. The conversation also explores safety culture, human factors and why industry-specific training matters. Jo discusses innovative approaches to first aid training in agriculture and the importance of building confidence and competence so people have the skills to respond when something goes wrong. With experience working across Queensland, the Northern Territory and New South Wales, Jo also shares her perspective on what the agricultural sector needs from safety training and where it could go next. Episode Highlights Jo's journey from agriculture and nursing into safety training Why safety training needs to reflect the realities of the industry it serves The unique safety challenges of rural and remote workplaces How distance and isolation can affect emergency response The role of safety culture and human factors in agricultural workplaces Why confidence and competence matter when providing first aid in remote environments Innovative approaches to first aid training for the agricultural sector What industry insights can tell us about the changing needs of agriculture The future of safety training and what the agricultural sector actually needs Safety training is only useful if it prepares people for the situations they may actually face. For people working in rural and remote agriculture, that can mean preparing for emergencies where help is not immediately available and where the environment, work and risks are very different from those found in more traditional workplaces. Jo's experience highlights the value of listening to industry and designing training around real needs, rather than simply delivering a standard solution. Because making agriculture safer is not just about providing training. It's about making sure people have the knowledge, confidence and capability to use it when it matters. Stay connected with Women in Safety Website www.womeninsafety.net Visit the website for upcoming events, programs, and community updates, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed throughout the year. Instagram www.instagram.com/womeninsafety Follow along for conversations, community highlights, and insights from women across the health and safety profession. Become an Empowered Member www.womeninsafety.net/empoweredmembers Explore Empowered Membership to access deeper learning opportunities, exclusive events, and meaningful connection within the Women in Safety community.

September 28, 2026Episode 2343 min

Safety Unpacked with Amy Morris

AI in Safety: Where Does Human Judgement Fit? AI is already changing the way people work, including the way safety professionals gather information, analyse problems and make decisions. But using AI effectively in safety is not simply about finding more tasks for technology to do. It also means understanding when to rely on AI, when to challenge it, and where human judgement needs to remain firmly in the loop. In this episode, the conversation explores four different ways of working with AI: delegation, collaboration, asking and exploration. It looks at how each approach can support safety management while also considering the risks that come with relying too heavily on technology. The discussion also considers AI governance, accountability, safety leadership and the future of human-computer interaction, asking what responsible AI use could look like as these tools become increasingly integrated into the workplace. Episode Highlights Four ways safety professionals can work with AI: delegation, collaboration, asking and exploration How AI can support safety management and safety innovation Why human oversight and professional judgement remain essential The risks of relying on AI without questioning its outputs The importance of governance and accountability when using AI in safety How safety leaders can think about AI as a tool rather than a replacement for judgement The changing relationship between people and technology in the workplace What increasing AI integration could mean for the future of safety practice AI can give safety professionals new ways to work, think and explore problems. But capability does not remove responsibility. As AI becomes more integrated into safety management, the challenge is not simply learning how to use the technology. It is learning how to use it well, understanding its limitations and knowing when human judgement needs to take over. The future of AI in safety will not be shaped by technology alone. It will also depend on the people, systems and governance around it. Stay connected with Women in Safety Website www.womeninsafety.net Visit the website for upcoming events, programs, and community updates, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed throughout the year. Instagram www.instagram.com/womeninsafety Follow along for conversations, community highlights, and insights from women across the health and safety profession. Become an Empowered Member www.womeninsafety.net/empoweredmembers Explore Empowered Membership to access deeper learning opportunities, exclusive events, and meaningful connection within the Women in Safety community.

September 14, 2026Episode 2212 min

Safety Culture or Business Culture

Is Safety Culture Really Separate From Organisational Culture? We talk about safety culture a lot in health and safety. But what exactly do we mean when we use the term? In this episode, the conversation explores the relationship between safety culture and organisational culture, and questions whether safety can really be separated from the wider systems, behaviours and expectations that shape how an organisation operates. The discussion looks at how leadership, communication and trust influence safety, while also considering the less visible factors that shape risk and safety behaviour. It explores psychological safety, systemic influences and why measuring safety culture through surveys and metrics alone may not tell us the full story. For safety professionals, the conversation offers a different way to think about their role. Rather than treating safety culture as something that sits alongside the organisation, there is an opportunity to understand how safety fits within the broader organisational system and where safety professionals can genuinely influence risk. Episode Highlights What we actually mean when we talk about safety culture The relationship between safety culture and organisational culture How leadership, communication and trust shape safety behaviour Why organisational systems influence the way people approach risk The role of psychological safety in safety performance Why safety culture surveys and metrics have limitations How safety professionals can look beyond individual behaviours to understand systemic influences The idea of safety as a subset of organisational culture Where safety professionals can influence organisational risk Safety does not exist in a separate box. The way people respond to risk, communicate concerns and make decisions is influenced by the wider organisation they work within, including its leadership, systems, priorities and relationships. That means improving safety may require more than measuring safety culture or introducing another safety initiative. It may mean understanding the organisation itself. For safety professionals, that creates an important opportunity: to look beyond safety-specific processes and become better at understanding the systems that shape risk. Stay connected with Women in Safety Website www.womeninsafety.net Visit the website for upcoming events, programs, and community updates, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed throughout the year. Instagram www.instagram.com/womeninsafety Follow along for conversations, community highlights, and insights from women across the health and safety profession. Become an Empowered Member www.womeninsafety.net/empoweredmembers Explore Empowered Membership to access deeper learning opportunities, exclusive events, and meaningful connection within the Women in Safety community.

August 25, 2026Episode 2133 min

Safety Unpacked - Wear and Tear with Amy Morris

What if the way we talk about wear and tear is actually influencing how people think about their bodies, their work and their risk of injury? In this Safety Unpacked conversation, Alanna Ball and Amy Morris unpack some of the assumptions around physical work, injury and the idea that our bodies inevitably deteriorate through use. They discuss how medical scans can sometimes reveal changes that are not necessarily connected to pain or injury, and why focusing on symptoms and the individual experience can be more useful than treating an image as the whole story. The conversation also explores fear, stress, genetics, physical activity and work design, and how workplaces can focus on building physical and mental capacity rather than creating a culture where people are afraid of getting hurt. Episode Highlights Why the idea of “wear and tear” can influence how we perceive physical work and injury How medical scans can identify changes that do not always correspond with pain Why symptoms and individual circumstances matter when assessing pain and injury The role of genetics, physical activity and capacity in injury risk How fear and stress can influence the experience of pain Why building resilience can be more useful than trying to eliminate every physical risk How work design can support capability, capacity and safer participation Why injury prevention needs a more individual and nuanced approach Our bodies are not machines with a fixed expiry date. Understanding pain and injury requires more than looking at a scan or assuming that physical work will inevitably cause damage. It requires us to consider the individual, their symptoms, their capacity, their environment and the way work is designed. For safety professionals, that raises an important question: are we designing work to protect people from every possible risk, or are we also helping people build the capacity and resilience to participate safely? Stay connected with Women in Safety Website www.womeninsafety.net Visit the website for upcoming events, programs, and community updates, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed throughout the year. Instagram www.instagram.com/womeninsafety Follow along for conversations, community highlights, and insights from women across the health and safety profession. Become an Empowered Member www.womeninsafety.net/empoweredmembers Explore Empowered Membership to access deeper learning opportunities, exclusive events, and meaningful connection within the Women in Safety community.

August 11, 2026Episode 2011 min

Wellbeing Leadership

When Leaders Model Well-being, It Changes the Workplace. Well-being is easy to talk about. Modelling it as a leader is a different story. In this episode, Alanna explores what it really means to lead by example when it comes to well-being. From setting boundaries and asking for help to stepping away from hustle culture, she reflects on the behaviours leaders demonstrate every day and the message those behaviours can send to their teams. The conversation also looks at psychological safety and Simon Sinek’s concept of the Circle of Safety, and why people are more likely to speak openly when they feel safe to do so. For safety professionals, this raises an important question: are we creating the kind of work environment we are asking others to be part of? Episode Highlights Why leadership is demonstrated through actions, not just words How leaders can unintentionally reinforce hustle culture through their own behaviour The connection between psychological safety, trust and open communication Why vulnerability and admitting mistakes can strengthen leadership How setting boundaries can support healthier and more sustainable ways of working The role safety professionals can play in modelling resilience and well-being Personal experiences of burnout, recovery and recognising when to ask for help How consistent leadership behaviours shape organisational culture Well-being is not something leaders can simply encourage through a policy, a wellbeing initiative or a reminder to take a break. People watch what leaders do. When leaders set boundaries, admit when they are struggling, ask for help and make space for honest conversations, they show their teams that these behaviours are not weaknesses. They are part of creating a healthier and safer workplace. Leadership starts with what we model, especially when no one is asking us to. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Stay connected with Women in Safety Website www.womeninsafety.net Visit the website for upcoming events, programs, and community updates, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed throughout the year. Instagram www.instagram.com/womeninsafety Follow along for conversations, community highlights, and insights from women across the health and safety profession. Become an Empowered Member www.womeninsafety.net/empoweredmembers Explore Empowered Membership to access deeper learning opportunities, exclusive events, and meaningful connection within the Women in Safety community.

July 27, 2026Episode 1932 min

Safety Unpacked with Amy Morris

In this episode of the Women in Safety Podcast, Alanna Ball and Amy Morris explore one of the most important parts of safety that often gets overlooked: how people make decisions when it matters most. They discuss why effective safety training goes beyond meeting compliance requirements and instead focuses on building the confidence and capability people need to respond in real situations. The conversation looks at how organisations can strengthen learning by combining practical training with meaningful reflection. From emergency decision-making to incident debriefs, Alanna and Amy explain why creating opportunities to learn, adapt, and improve is essential for building a stronger safety culture. Episode Highlights Why good decision-making is a critical part of effective safety management How practical training builds confidence for real-world situations, not just compliance The value of incident debriefs and structured reflection after events The difference between declarative learning and procedural learning, and why both matter How organisations can move from simply delivering training to developing capability Why learning from incidents should focus on improvement, not blame The role of organisational systems in supporting better decisions and safer outcomes How continuous learning strengthens both safety culture and operational performance This episode is a reminder that safety is built through learning, not just instruction. Alanna and Amy encourage safety professionals and leaders to look beyond attendance records and completed training modules and instead ask whether people are truly prepared to make good decisions when they need to. By investing in practical learning, encouraging reflection, and creating systems that support continuous improvement, organisations can build capability that lasts well beyond the classroom. Stay connected with Women in Safety Website www.womeninsafety.net Visit the website for upcoming events, programs, and community updates, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed throughout the year. Instagram www.instagram.com/womeninsafety Follow along for conversations, community highlights, and insights from women across the health and safety profession. Become an Empowered Member www.womeninsafety.net/empoweredmembers Explore Empowered Membership to access deeper learning opportunities, exclusive events, and meaningful connection within the Women in Safety community.

July 20, 2026Episode 189 min

Safety or Business

In this episode of the Women in Safety Podcast, Alanna Ball reflects on how the safety profession has changed over the years and why the next step forward may not come from doing more of the same. Instead, she encourages safety professionals to question long-held assumptions, challenge familiar ways of thinking, and consider how their work can create greater value for both people and organisations. The conversation explores how the stories we tell, the measures we focus on, and the language we use all shape the way safety is understood. Rather than seeing safety as a function centred on compliance or injury statistics, Alanna shares why leadership, culture, innovation, and business performance are becoming increasingly important in the future of the profession. Episode Highlights Why questioning traditional safety practices creates opportunities for improvement How long-held beliefs and workplace stories can influence safety culture The changing role of safety professionals from technical experts to strategic leaders Why innovation starts by asking different questions rather than accepting familiar answers The importance of designing work that supports both safety and performance How leadership and organisational culture shape better safety outcomes Why measuring success involves more than counting injuries or completed procedures How safety professionals can strengthen their influence by contributing to broader business goals This episode is an invitation to pause and reflect on the future of safety. Alanna reminds listeners that meaningful progress often begins by challenging what has always been done and staying open to new ways of thinking. As the profession continues to evolve, the opportunity is not simply to improve compliance, but to help build organisations where good work, strong leadership, and safety all support one another. For safety professionals looking to make a greater impact, this conversation offers both encouragement and a fresh perspective. Stay connected with Women in Safety Website www.womeninsafety.net Visit the website for upcoming events, programs, and community updates, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed throughout the year. Instagram www.instagram.com/womeninsafety Follow along for conversations, community highlights, and insights from women across the health and safety profession. Become an Empowered Member www.womeninsafety.net/empoweredmembers Explore Empowered Membership to access deeper learning opportunities, exclusive events, and meaningful connection within the Women in Safety community.

June 22, 2026Episode 1710 min

The Future of Safety Isn't More Safety

In this episode of the Women in Safety Podcast, Alanna Ball reflects on where the profession is heading and what that means for the people working in it. Rather than calling for more paperwork, more programs, or more layers of safety activity, she makes the case for something much more useful. Safety needs to be woven into how organisations operate, how decisions are made, and how work is designed from the start. Alanna speaks about the shift from technical safety work to business leadership, and why strong safety professionals need more than compliance knowledge alone. She explores the value of learning not only from incidents and failures, but also from the moments where work went well, controls held up, and people adapted successfully. It is a thoughtful reminder that real progress in safety comes from understanding organisations, building confidence through experience, and staying connected to a community that helps you keep growing. Episode Highlights Why the future of safety is tied to understanding how organisations really work The need to integrate safety into business operations, not treat it as a separate program How critical controls support more focused and effective safety management Why learning from incidents matters, and why learning from success matters too The shift from technical safety roles to trusted business leadership How curiosity, collaboration, and commercial awareness strengthen safety practice Why confidence in safety grows through preparation, experience, and reflection The importance of community support, especially for professionals working in isolation How the profession is moving towards more strategic and influential leadership This episode is a grounded look at what modern safety leadership really requires. Alanna makes it clear that the future of the profession is not about doing more for the sake of it. It is about doing what matters, understanding the business, focusing on what truly helps prevent harm, and growing the leadership capability to influence decisions at the right level. For safety professionals who want to stay relevant, effective, and connected, this conversation offers both reassurance and a clear challenge to keep building the skills that matter most. Stay connected with Women in Safety Website www.womeninsafety.net Visit the website for upcoming events, programs, and community updates, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed throughout the year. Instagram www.instagram.com/womeninsafety Follow along for conversations, community highlights, and insights from women across the health and safety profession. Become an Empowered Member www.womeninsafety.net/empoweredmembers Explore Empowered Membership to access deeper learning opportunities, exclusive events, and meaningful connection within the Women in Safety community.