The Safety Meeting

Novara
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  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to The Safety Meeting, the podcast that makes you smarter about current trends and best practices in workforce safety. From employee engagement to actionable data, and everything in between, tune in to hear how you can work more safely.

  1. Encouraging Adoption of Digital Safety Tech with Utilitra’s Jason Wernex

    5D AGO

    Encouraging Adoption of Digital Safety Tech with Utilitra’s Jason Wernex

    In this episode of The Safety Meeting from Novarro, we talk with Jason Wernex, Director of Safety at Utilitra, a 350-person, woman-owned engineering, technology, and construction firm with a mix of office and field workers. Jason explains how Utilitra moved from paper-based safety processes to a digital system, achieving over 90% adoption in the first year. He shares how user experience, configurability, and flexibility helped his team encourage engagement and demonstrate quick time-to-value. His takeaways: invest time up-front, follow a clear roadmap, start with familiar processes, and launch with groups likely to become ambassadors. (01:19) Introducing Utilitra’s Jason Wernex(04:58) Utilitra’s Implementation Game Plan(06:03) Digitizing Near Misses & Audits First(07:25) Leveraging Ambassadors and Unexpected Self-Serve Adoption(09:26) Why Adoption Hit over 90%(10:58) New Use Cases, and Cross-Department Momentum(14:54) Culture Shift and Reporting Transparency(17:06) Keys to Success: Flexibility, Fast Fixes, and Designing for the End User Thanks for joining another episode of The Safety Meeting, the podcast that makes you smarter about current trends and best practices in workforce safety. From employee engagement to actionable data, and everything in between, tune in to hear how you can work more safely. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to The Safety Meeting in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show. Podcast episode production by Dante32.

    22 min

  2. JAN 14

    A Look at Federal and State Safety Regulations in 2026 with Zach Pucillo

    In this episode of The Safety Meeting, we kick off 2026 with our annual regulatory outlook with Zach Pucillo, EHS Regulatory Compliance Manager at KPA. Zach provides insights into the evolving landscape of workplace safety regulations, technology trends, and compliance priorities for 2026. We review the previous year's predictions, developments, and the regulatory shifts that occurred in 2025 and look ahead to the coming year. Key topics include federal deregulation moves, state-led safety initiatives, AI in safety management, and areas for safety professionals to focus on this year to stay compliant and keep their people safe. (00:51) 2025 Regulatory Recap and Predictions for 2026(02:13) Federal Deregulation and State-Level Actions(08:44) EPA's Greenhouse Gas Rollbacks and State Responses(15:03) Heat Illness Prevention and State Regulations(18:34) Industry-Specific Regulatory Changes for 2026(21:49) The Role of AI in Safety Management(26:03) Key Areas for Safety Managers in 2026(29:10) Final Thoughts Thanks for joining another episode of The Safety Meeting, the podcast that makes you smarter about current trends and best practices in workforce safety. From employee engagement to actionable data, and everything in between, tune in to hear how you can work more safely. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to The Safety Meeting in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show. Podcast episode production by Dante32.

    33 min

  3. 12/17/2025

    2025 OSHA Year-End Reporting with Amanda Rawls

    In this episode of The Safety Meeting, we welcome back Amanda Rawls, Director of EHS Field Services at KPA, to discuss OSHA year-end reporting requirements and recent updates for 2025. Amanda, with over 20 years of safety experience in the automotive industry, provides a high-level overview of the OSHA 301 form, 300 log, and 300A summary, and the importance of accurate record-keeping. She addresses changes in electronic reporting requirements for high-risk industries and shares common mistakes employers make, emphasizing the importance of communication and planning within safety and HR teams. Amanda also shares insights on how to turn compliance data into valuable safety improvements for 2026. (00:00) Welcoming Amanda Rawls, KPA’s Director of EHS Field Services(00:55) Overview of OSHA Year-End Reporting(02:40) Changes in Electronic Reporting Requirements(05:59) Common Challenges and Mistakes(10:30) Key Deadlines for 2026(15:44) Clarifying OSHA Forms: 300, 301, and 300A(23:15) Strategic Use of Year-End Reporting Data(28:27) Closing Advice Thanks for joining another episode of The Safety Meeting, the podcast that makes you smarter about current trends and best practices in workforce safety. From employee engagement to actionable data, and everything in between, tune in to hear how you can work more safely. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to The Safety Meeting in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show. Podcast episode production by Dante32.

    30 min

  4. 11/19/2025

    Connect Live 2025 Recap with Emily Hartman and Monica Patel

    In this episode of The Safety Meeting, we recap Connect Live, the KPA Flex User Conference which was held in Dallas in October. Hundreds of Flex users convened to learn new skills, enhance their workflows, and share best practices. We talk with Emily Hartman, Community Manager, and Monica Patel, Software Product Manager, about the event's highlights, including sessions on form-creation, admin tools, API integrations, and hidden features of the KPA Flex platform. We discuss the importance of in person problem-solving, and opportunities for users to learn from each other, and celebrate the gathering’s success. (00:00) Welcome Emily Hartman and Monica Patel(01:55) Highlights from Connect Live(07:22) The Power of In-Person Networking(11:09) Hidden Gems in KPA Flex(13:23) APIs and Integrations: Unlocking New Possibilities(16:15) From Basic to Advanced: User Growth and Learning(21:17) Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Next Year’s Event Thanks for joining another episode of The Safety Meeting, the podcast that makes you smarter about current trends and best practices in workforce safety. From employee engagement to actionable data, and everything in between, tune in to hear how you can work more safely. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to The Safety Meeting in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show. Podcast episode production by Dante32.

    25 min

  5. 10/15/2025

    Purpose-Built AI and Workplace Safety with Jade Hendrix

    In this episode of The Safety Meeting, KPA's Senior Director of Product Management, Jade Hendrix, shares her expertise on the integration of AI technology with workplace safety programs. With 17 years of experience in B2B SaaS technology, Hendrix discusses the distinction between generic chatbots and purpose-built AI, exploring how purpose-built AI can help proactively correlate safety data to predict future risks. She stresses that AI should be used as a decision support tool rather than a decision-maker, highlighting the importance of high-quality data for AI effectiveness. Hendrix also delves into the future possibilities of AI, underscoring that while AI can enhance safety program efficiency and insights, it does not replace human judgment and the need to cultivate a robust safety culture. (00:16) Welcome KPA’s Jade Hendrix(00:56) Understanding Purpose-Built AI for EHS(02:45) AI's Role in Identifying Risks and Patterns(04:57) Accountability and Decision Support with AI(06:34) Importance of Data Quality for Effective AI(08:30) Context in Photo Hazard Recognition(10:50) Automation vs. Strategic Insights(13:27) Evaluating AI Solutions for Safety Programs(15:54) The Future of AI in Safety(18:37) Final Thoughts Thanks for joining another episode of The Safety Meeting, the podcast that makes you smarter about current trends and best practices in workforce safety. From employee engagement to actionable data, and everything in between, tune in to hear how you can work more safely. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to The Safety Meeting in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show. Podcast episode production by Dante32.

    20 min

  6. 09/10/2025

    Workplace Mental Health with My Steady Mind's Dr. Seth Hickerson

    In this episode of The Safety Meeting, Dr. Seth Hickerson, founder of My Steady Mind, discusses the critical link between psychological safety, mental fitness, and workplace safety. Dr. Hickerson shares his expertise from high-risk industries, explaining how environments characterized by volatility, uncertainty, change, and ambiguity (VUCA) need both physical safety measures, and proactive mental health strategies. He explains how distraction, stress, and burnout can lead to safety incidents, and why organizations must move beyond reactive solutions to integrate mental fitness training into their jobsite culture. (00:00) Welcome Dr. Seth Hickerson(00:58) Defining psychological safety and its impact on workplace performance(02:07) The VUCA environment: what it means and why it matters(05:47) How mental health challenges contribute to workplace incidents(07:40) The difference between proactive training and reactive treatment(10:00) Why leadership buy-in is essential for culture change(11:04) Making mental health training engaging: “hide the medicine in the cheese”(13:10) Supporting employees facing mental health challenges(16:12) Using assessments to identify soft skills gaps in organizations(19:10) Creating a shared language for stress management(22:22) The four steps of emotional intelligence(27:55) Final thoughts and practical takeaways for listeners Thanks for joining another episode of The Safety Meeting, the podcast that makes you smarter about current trends and best practices in workforce safety. From employee engagement to actionable data, and everything in between, tune in to hear how you can work more safely. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to The Safety Meeting in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show. Podcast episode production by Dante32.

    29 min
  7. Safety Lab: Reframing Serious Injury and Fatality Prevention

    08/20/2025

    Safety Lab: Reframing Serious Injury and Fatality Prevention

    In this episode of The Safety Meeting’s Safety Lab, we explore why overall workplace safety  metrics are improving but Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) rates remain flat or are increasing. We discuss the traditional Hendrick Safety Triangle and introduce a SIF prevention model which focuses on identifying and addressing high-risk precursors. Additionally, we talk proactive strategies that are being employed by safety professionals: How leveraging data smartly and earning leadership support helps create a proactive safety culture. Through real-world examples and a structured Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) approach, we provide a framework for improving SIF prevention. (00:35) Understanding Safety Statistics Trends(01:55) The Hendrick Safety Triangle(02:57) New SIF Prevention Model(04:31) Defining Serious Injury and SIF Potential(06:27) Identifying Precursors and Indicators(08:41) Practical Steps for Safety Managers(14:54) Tools and Technologies for SIF Prevention(16:52) Measuring Success and Overcoming Barriers(18:48) Implementing PDCA for SIF Prevention(20:34) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Thanks for joining another episode of The Safety Meeting, the podcast that makes you smarter about current trends and best practices in workforce safety. From employee engagement to actionable data, and everything in between, tune in to hear how you can work more safely. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to The Safety Meeting in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show. Podcast episode production by Dante32.

    23 min

  8. 07/16/2025

    The ROI of Safety Technology with Monica Patel

    In this episode of The Safety Meeting, we’re joined by Monica Patel, Senior Product Manager at KPA, to talk about the business case for safety technology. We discuss leveraging technology to tackle safety and compliance challenges, ways to make a strong business case for safety tech to the C-Suite, and look at metrics for calculating return on investment (ROI). We uncover the hidden costs of workplace injuries and common roadblocks in technology implementation, and unpack strategies for demonstrating business value while stressing the importance of investing in employee well-being. (00:00) Welcome to the Safety Meeting(01:20) The Business Case for Safety Technology(02:51) Calculating ROI for Safety Tech(04:07) Hidden Costs and Benefits of Safety Tech(05:59) Effective Safety Technologies(07:19) Overcoming Implementation Challenges(08:33) Handling Pushback and Building Buy-In(12:20) Future Trends in Safety Technology(14:29) Final Thoughts Please see the episode of the The Safety Lab, we talked about today. Thanks for joining another episode of The Safety Meeting, the podcast that makes you smarter about current trends and best practices in workforce safety. From employee engagement to actionable data, and everything in between, tune in to hear how you can work more safely. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to The Safety Meeting in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really helps others find the show. Podcast episode production by Dante32.

    16 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Safety Meeting, the podcast that makes you smarter about current trends and best practices in workforce safety. From employee engagement to actionable data, and everything in between, tune in to hear how you can work more safely.

Information

  • Creator
    Novara
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Novara
  • Show Website
    The Safety Meeting