The Safety Geek Podcast: Geeking Out About Workplace Safety

Safety Brye

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.

  1. JAN 5

    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 AcademyAtomic Habits by James Clear  Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Safety Goals01:11 Reflecting on the Past Year02:55 The Problem with Traditional Safety Goals04:53 Ethical and Control Issues in Safety Goals11:31 Actionable Steps for Effective Safety Goals16:51 Setting Personal and Organizational Goals25:40 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/

    29 min
  2. 12/15/2025

    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 TrapSolving the Leadership Accountability Problem  Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Supervisor Involvement in Safety00:57 Greeting and Personal Anecdote01:23 Defining the Role of Frontline Supervisors in Safety03:06 Challenges Faced by Supervisors03:52 Tip 1: Integrate Safety into Daily Tasks06:14 Tip 2: Combine Safety with Quality and Operations08:32 Tip 3: Shadow Supervisors Regularly09:51 Tip 4: Empower Employees13:25 Tip 5: Conduct Regular Supervisor Meetings17:27 Conclusion and Call to ActionThank 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/

    19 min
  3. 12/08/2025

    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 Safety00:57 Personal Greeting and Seasonal Remarks01:23 Defining the Role of Supervisors in Safety03:06 Challenges Supervisors Face with Safety Tasks03:52 Tip 1: Integrate Safety into Daily Tasks06:14 Tip 2: Combine Safety with Quality and Operations08:32 Tip 3: Shadow Supervisors Regularly09:51 Tip 4: Empower Employees to Lead13:25 Tip 5: Conduct Regular Supervisor Meetings17:27 Conclusion and Call to ActionThank 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/

    19 min
  4. 11/24/2025

    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 Management01:35 Thanksgiving Reflections and Gratitude02:35 Mental Health in Safety Management04:30 Supporting Employees Through Mental Health Challenges21:02 Addressing Mental Health Claims and Psychological Safety25:25 The Mental Health of Safety Professionals34:31 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/

    37 min
  5. 10/13/2025

    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 Challenges00:41 Personal Update and Context02:25 The Prevalence of Business Acquisitions04:02 Lessons from Early Acquisition Experiences06:42 Effective Strategies for New Acquisitions07:17 Understanding the Acquisition Transition Period12:18 Setting the Right Tone and Expectations19:01 Prioritizing Safety Issues26:14 Ongoing Management and Review29:48 Creating a Repeatable Onboarding Process31:31 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/

    36 min
  6. 09/22/2025

    [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 Challenges00:36 Top Safety Issues Overview03:03 Blocked Exits and Eyewash Stations10:15 CDL Drivers and Dual Logs15:45 High Hazard Compliance Issues21:13 CO2 Leak Incident26:27 Ammonia Refrigeration Incident33:26 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/

    37 min
  7. 09/15/2025

    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.comTimestamps:  00:00 Introduction and Personal Update01:44 Family Loss and Lessons Learned07:10 Masterclass and Q&A Introduction10:17 Worst Case Scenario in Safety Management15:06 Top 10 Safety Issues: Part 115:40 Issue #220:16 Issue #225:51 Issue #329:10 Issue #433:24 Issue #538:27 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/

    42 min
  8. 08/11/2025

    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 ScratchSafety Management Academy  Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Contractor Safety Challenges01:33 Welcome and Podcast Introduction02:15 Understanding Contractor Safety Management03:00 Defining the Scope of Contractor Work05:00 Risks and Liabilities of Contractor Work07:18 Strategies for Ensuring Contractor Compliance09:53 Building a Collaborative Safety Culture10:32 Setting Up for Success with Contractors14:27 Creating a Contractor Advisory Committee17:49 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThank 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/

    20 min
4.7
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

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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