The Accidental Safety Pro

HSI

HSI's Chief Safety Officer, Jill James, chats with other safety professionals about how they came into their role as a safety professional, what they've learned along the way, as well as some of the highs and lows that come with job.

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Avg 57 min
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#143
August 26 · 1 hr 8 min
143: Safety Budgeting 101
Do you struggle getting purchases approved? Jill and Jon Liesmaki, Sr. Director of EHS at Apogee Enterprises, tackle one of the most overlooked skills in the EHS profession: budgeting. Drawing on real-world experiences and audience questions from their recent EHS Budget Playbook webinar, they discuss how safety professionals can make a stronger business case for funding, build relationships with finance and operations leaders, demonstrate ROI, navigate rejected requests, and find creative ways to secure resources for safety initiatives. Whether you're managing a large budget or trying to get your first safety project approved, this conversation offers practical strategies for turning safety needs into budget wins. The EHS Budget Playbook on-demand webinar, presentation slides, EHS Investment Justification Toolkit, Accounting 101 Terms, and more FREE resources.
#142
July 29 · 1 hr 4 min
142: "Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and Rock and Roll!" with Attorney Adele Abrams
Jill sits down with Adele Abrams—attorney, safety professional, author, and nationally recognized OSHA and MSHA expert—about her unconventional journey from rock-and-roll radio and television into a career focused on OHS and law. Adele reflects on the experiences that shaped her expertise in construction and mining, her work on complex health hazards such as asbestos and silica exposure, and the mentors who helped her build a national practice while earning respected safety credentials. Now serving as Senior Counsel at Littler Mendelson P.C. and leader of the firm’s MSHA litigation, Adele shares lessons from decades of handling workplace fatality investigations and regulatory cases. She discusses her commitment to “holistic settlements” that invest in training and safety improvements, offers insights on the growing politicization of workplace safety regulation, and provides practical advice for staying informed in a changing regulatory landscape. Adele emphasizes the importance of mentoring, teaching, and developing the next generation of safety professionals as part of her lasting legacy of protecting workers and saving lives. MSHA.gov Adele's LinkedIn
#141
June 26 · 57 min
141: Safety Unscripted Pt. 3: Your Questions, Expert Answers
For their third installment of the Safety Unscripted series, Jill and her longtime friend and former fellow OSHA investigator, Dr. Todd Loushine, answer EHS questions focused on technology and AI, Emergency Preparedness, Health & Environmental Safety, Contractor, Subcontractor and Multi-Employer Safety, and more! We believe many of our listeners have the same kinds of questions. So, again we're sharing portions of the webinar recording with you for this month's episode. Enjoy!
#140
May 27 · 1 hr
140: Safety Unscripted Pt. 2: Your Questions, Expert Answers
Back by popular demand, Jill and her longtime friend and former fellow OSHA investigator, Dr. Todd Loushine, recently hosted another live webinar to answer your burning EHS questions! Registrants submitted questions before and during the live event, and the duo were able to give answers related to: Safety culture and behavior change, accountability and difficult scenarios, career growth and professional development, OSHA updates and the future of safety, and more. We believe many of our listeners have the same kinds of questions. So, we're sharing portions of the webinar recording with you for this month's episode. If you like this episode, join Jill and Dr. Todd LIVE for Safety Unscripted: Part 3 on Wednesday, June 3rd. You can register by clicking the link in the show notes. Enjoy! >> REGISTER FOR SAFETY UNSCRIPTED PT. 3
April 29 · 1 hr 1 min
139: How a Life Rebuilt Became a Career in Safety
A story of resilience, reinvention, and an unexpected path into safety. In this episode, Jill James sits down with Chanell Alaniz, president of the Oklahoma City ASSP Chapter and former head of EHS for Oklahoma’s largest biopharmaceutical manufacturer. Chanell shares an extraordinary origin story that begins on the Mississippi Gulf Coast during Hurricane Katrina, winding through loss, rebuilding, tattoo artistry, scientific research, and ultimately a calling in occupational health and safety. Chanell opens up about evacuating with a newborn, rebuilding her life through Habitat for Humanity, becoming one of Oklahoma’s first licensed female tattoo artists, and later transitioning into laboratory science and CGMP pharmaceutical work. Her journey takes a dramatic turn when she steps into her first safety role just three days before COVID‑19 is declared a global pandemic—placing her at the center of biomanufacturing efforts to support vaccine production. Through vulnerability, humor, and deep reflection, Chanell illustrates how a “helper’s heart,” a systems-thinking mind, and the influence of strong mentors shaped her into the safety professional she is today. This episode is a testament to the winding paths that lead people into EHS—and the power of purpose discovered along the way. Chanell Alaniz's LinkedIn Chanell's Story on OptionB Katrina 10 Years Later: Mississippi Women in Safety Excellence (WISE)
March 25 · 49 min
138: Think Inside the Box
Perry Silvey, safety manager at BT Construction in Colorado, shares his journey from working at a driving range to becoming a leader in construction safety. He is the founder and chairman of the Trenching and Excavation Safety Task Force (TEST), a volunteer group dedicated to raising awareness about trenching and excavation safety. Perry's career in construction safety began after a layoff from his maintenance job, which led him to work in excavation. Perry's transition into safety was influenced by his first boss, who encouraged him to leverage his degree and move into office roles, eventually leading to project management and safety coordination. His involvement with industry groups, such as the Construction Safety Round Table and the National Utility Contractors Association, has been pivotal in his career, providing mentorship and collaboration opportunities. The TEST initiative was sparked by a tragic trench collapse incident in 2019, which motivated Perry to take action and form the task force to prevent similar accidents. The group promotes trench safety through campaigns like "Think Inside the Box" and collaborates with various partners to spread awareness and improve safety practices. Perry emphasizes the importance of industry groups and safety roundtables for professionals seeking to enhance safety practices in their organizations. He continues to advocate for safety in the construction industry, sharing his experiences and insights at conferences and through the task force's initiatives. Show Links: Think Inside the Box info and logos. If you'd like to use the Think Inside The Box logo to help spread the word, please download! Feel free to make hard hat stickers, use in email signatures or on your own pages. Facebook Instagram LinkedIn X
#137
February 25 · 53 min
137: Why Psychological Safety Is A Critical Leadership Skill
A surprising pivot from nutrition and diet therapy to health and safety launched Danishon "Sean" Felder into a decades-long career investigating incidents, mastering compliance, and navigating complex military and OSHA standards with the US Air Force Reserves and Department of Defense. Sean and Jill discuss why compliance alone isn't enough, the power of mentorship and continuous learning, how risk management evolved into enterprise thinking, and why psychological safety may be the most critical leadership skill today. With his upcoming retirement, Sean is preparing for his "second mountain" in executive coaching and reflects on what truly makes safety cultures thrive. Listen to get a Certified Professional Coach's insights on leadership, culture, and influence techniques!
February 11 · 1 hr
Bonus Episode! Safety Unscripted: Your Questions, Expert Answers
Do you have burning safety questions but aren’t sure who to ask—or worry about how they’ll be received? Jill and her longtime friend and former fellow OSHA investigator, Dr. Todd Loushine, recently hosted a live webinar doing just that! Registrants submitted hundreds of questions before and during the live event, and the duo were able to give answers related to: > Program building, governance, and core safety systems > Operational hazards and technical safety scenarios > Training effectiveness and learning design > Leadership buy-in, management tension, and business alignment We believe many of our listeners have the same kinds of questions. So, we're sharing portions of the webinar recording with you for this special episode of the podcast. If you like this episode, join Jill and Dr. Todd LIVE for Safety Unscripted: Part 2 on Wednesday, February 25th. You can register by clicking the link below. Enjoy! Safety Unscripted Part 2: Your Questions, Expert Answers, Live Webinar Registration Safety Unscripted Webinar Recording and Resources Page HSI.com Resources
#136
January 28 · 1 hr 2 min
136: AI and EHS Software
Do you have questions about AI and the role it’s playing in EHS? Is it a trustworthy source, and how would you know if it is? What are the benefits and implications? Jill sits down with three of HSI’s top executives who are leading the charge in AI technology development for EHS software. Join Jose Arcilla, Chief Executive Officer, John Hambelton, Chief Technology Officer, and Mike Case, Vice President of Product, as they break down what’s working with AI, precautions you need to know, and how they’re creating tools that grow with the people who rely on them. You’ll hear how they’re designing tech that learns from real work, minimizes risk, and supports better choices, all while keeping humans firmly in control. From guardrails around ethics and human oversight, and questions to ask before selecting AI-powered solutions, this episode pulls back the curtain on AI development, what’s coming next, and why it matters for EHS professionals.
#135
Dec 23, 2025 · 46 min
135: A Holistic Approach to EHS: Caring Inside and Outside of Work
What happens when the teacher becomes the student? Meet Stacy Dubin, an EHS leader whose journey began in the classroom as a middle and high school teacher, and evolved into an impressive career in industrial hygiene and safety. Stacy shares how creating hands-on lessons in toxicology and epidemiology sparked her move into EHS, the challenges of transitioning from teaching to industry, and how she leveraged project management skills to find her footing. She and Jill discuss why EHS professionals are “the ultimate influencers,” succeeding through relationships rather than authority, and how curiosity, reciprocity, and listening to employees help earn trust and drive real safety improvements. From integrating EHS into everyday operational conversations, to observing work and collaborating with supervisors to identify hazards, Stacy offers practical insights on influence and impact—along with her vision for building consistent, engaging global EHS frameworks rooted in authenticity and connection. The Culture Map Purchase The Culture Map on Amazon
#134
Nov 26, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
134: SIF Prevention and High Energy Control Assessments
SIFs, HECA, and ROI, oh my! In this episode, we welcome Dr. Elif Erkal, the Associate Director of Research and Strategy at the Construction Safety Research Alliance (CSRA) at the University of Colorado Boulder. With an extensive background in civil engineering, consulting, construction management, and academic research, Dr. Erkal specializes in safety, performance measurement, predictive analytics, and project risk management. She shares insights into CSRA's unique collaborative efforts between academia and industry to advance serious injury and fatality (SIF) prevention, and explains the development of High Energy Control Assessments (HECA). She details how HECA approaches safety performance measurement, which identifies high energy hazards and assesses direct controls, offering a more actionable safety performance assessment than traditional metrics. Dr. Erkal also touches on CSRA's other research initiatives, including decluttering safety management systems and demonstrating the ROI of safety programs, emphasizing the need for data-driven solutions in safety management. Power to Prevent SIF Communities of Practice Knowledge Center | Construction Safety Research Alliance CSRA Safety in the Boardroom EFILE_EE.pdf Matt Hallowell wrote a book on workplace safety. Industry made it a bestseller. | Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering | University of Colorado Boulder Energy wheel HECA Safety classification and Learning Model
#133
Oct 29, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
133: Female EHS Leaders: Leveraging Your Superpowers Conversation Continued from NSC 2025
At this year’s NSC Safety Congress, Jill partnered with three other women in EHS to present “Female EHS Leaders: Leveraging Your Superpowers.” The conference room was full of women and allies, and the topic was so well received, the presenters decided to continue the conversation! In this episode, Jill and Monique Parker, Chief Sustainability Officer and ASSP Board Member, further expand on communication strategies, setting boundaries, salary negotiation, and understanding your value, while also sharing personal experiences and examples from their own journey’s to leadership positions. Take charge of your career growth and salary expectations with the provided worksheets linked in the show notes, and discover how to advocate for yourself and your future in EHS. Resources for Female EHS Professionals, including the Salary and Career Map worksheets.
Sep 24, 2025 · 58 min
132: Being Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable
With over 20 years of experience at industry giants like Caterpillar, Dow Chemical, and Merck, Dana Dawsey's career has been anything but comfortable—by design! Dana is currently the Vice President of Environmental Health and Safety at Pentair, but like most guests, she didn't see safety as her future when becoming an industrial engineering student. Since then, she has implemented life-saving ergonomic improvements and spearheaded global EHS strategies. Dana's story is one of resilience, continuous learning, and a people-centric leadership style, enriched by her certification as a John Maxwell leadership coach. Whether you're an EHS professional or someone interested in leadership and organizational culture, Dana’s insights on embedding safety and well-being as core values will leave you motivated and inspired.
#131
Aug 27, 2025 · 26 min
131: Live From ASSP Safety 2025
For the third year in a row, Jill sat down with EHS professionals who were attending this year's ASSP’s Safety Conference and Expo in Orlando, FL. Jill had the pleasure of asking short form questions to EHS professionals who shared their thoughts on the future of EHS, attending conferences and making connections, how they found the profession, their favorite parts of the job, and more! Thank you to all who participated in this year's episode. We'll see you again soon at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo, September 15 - 17 in Denver, Colorado. Be sure to stop by the HSI booth, #3549, and say hi to Jill and others from HSI.
#130
Jul 30, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
130: What's My Hook?
Initially aspiring to be a hip-hop music producer, PJ Gillam instead found his career in EHS through early experiences working in chemical and laboratory safety roles. With the encouragement of mentors, PJ continued down the path of EHS and transitioned to a leadership position in manufacturing, adapting as a one-person safety team and creating the "Safety After Dark" program for night shift workers. He advocates for using AI and data analytics to enhance safety and encourages EHS professionals to “find their hook,” have conviction, and adopt new technologies. PJ stresses the importance of relationships, empathy, and prioritizing the well-being of others while sharing insights on overcoming challenges and making a meaningful impact in the safety field.
#129
Jun 25, 2025 · 55 min
129: 16 Broken Bones, Finding Your Why, and Human and Organizational Performance
Ryan Word's journey began as a firefighter in Georgia, where a fire truck accident prompted his shift to working for his family’s construction company. He eventually moved to a major construction corporation in Orlando, climbed the ladder to superintendent, and started taking notice of safety more while working on theme park jobsites. He played a crucial role in developing a safety plan for a BROWZ certification, and decided that would be his next career move. Ryan is now a Safety Manager at FTI and is active in the local ASSP chapter, currently serving as chapter president. He is passionate about discovering individuals' motivations for safety and advocates for human and organizational performance principles. Ryan also contributes to the ASSP Professional Safety Journal, sharing insights on various safety topics.
#128
May 28, 2025 · 58 min
128: Resilience, Repair, and Finding Balance
In today's ever-changing landscape, health and safety professionals need to practice resilience more than ever. For this special 7th anniversary episode, previous guest, Chip Hughes, discusses significant challenges in the industry, focusing on the evolving recognition of mental health's impact on workplaces, and the changes to critical government agencies like NIOSH. Jill and Chip share resilience practices, discuss the importance of resilience for safety professionals, and hit on the need to improve communication of complex health and safety information effectively.
Apr 29, 2025 · 50 min
127: The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
Tune in to hear how the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) is shaping the future of occupational health and safety. CEO, Larry Sloan, shares with us AIHA's innovative initiatives, such as their heat stress monitoring app, collaboration with NIOSH on the Total Worker Health program, and AIHA's commitment to research, resource development, and training to elevate industrial hygiene practices. Larry and Jill discuss how AIHA is dedicated to advancing the health and safety of workers everywhere, making a difference through its membership of over 7,000 professionals. Find out how you can get involved in this mission to eliminate workplace injury and illness. AIHA Larry Sloan's LinkedIn AIHA Heat Stress App AIHA Total Worker Health Advisory Group
#126
Mar 26, 2025 · 54 min
126: Transforming EHS Professionals into Strategic Business Partners
Does your EHS program have a negative reputation within your organization? Are you tired of always just being associated with regulations, instead of being seen as an integral business driver? Welcome back Subena Colligan, a seasoned industrial hygienist and safety professional, who leads EHS professionals towards becoming strategic business partners. Her approach focuses on developing elite EHS programs by aligning them with business outcomes and risk tolerance. She advises on how to engage with C-suite executives by understanding company priorities and building trust. Subena employs an audit-strategize-resolve model to gather data, create strategic plans, and implement quick wins, facilitating transformation over an 18-month period. She also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and concentrating on controllable factors during periods of change and uncertainty. Subena Colligan's LinkedIn Ernst & Young EHS Maturity Model McKinsey & Company The Changing World Order by Ray Dalio Wall Street Journal Article: It’s Called a Premortem—and It’s the Most Productive Thing You’ll Do All Year The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace
#125
Feb 26, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
125: OSHA Isn't Driving the Safety Pro's Future
Dr. Fran Scott-Diehl, who embarked on her journey in the safety profession in the mid-1990s, initially intended to study architecture but was steered towards occupational safety and health by encouraging female professors. Her career began in claims processing, a role she found emotionally taxing, prompting her to transition to the utility industry and private sector positions, including at Sysco Foods and PODS. Dr. Fran underscores the necessity of establishing a robust safety framework, particularly when integrating new safety professionals lacking traditional backgrounds, emphasizing that effective safety leaders require strong interpersonal skills, curiosity, and a commitment to hard work. As an educator, she encourages upcoming safety professionals to be independent thinkers who challenge authority and innovate, while also highlighting the importance of self-reflection and self-care to prevent burnout. She advises safety professionals to prioritize nurturing themselves to enhance their leadership in the new year. Dr. Francene Scott-Diehl, PhD, MPH,CSP, CIT, CDS Franny the Safety Nanny Books

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