The Safety Geek Podcast: Geeking Out About Workplace Safety

Safety Brye
  • 4.7 (39)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

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. 2d ago ·  Video

    How to Get Leadership to Actually Listen

    You walk into a management meeting with something that actually matters. A hazard, a training gap, a piece of equipment that's going to hurt somebody. And you watch their eyes glaze over. You get a nod, maybe a "we'll look at it," and then nothing happens. They do care about people getting hurt. They just don't believe it's going to happen this quarter, and the risk they can put a number on wins every time. In this episode I break down why leadership tunes safety out, and the 3 moves that get you heard in that room. Full show notes: https://thesafetygeek.com/143 LINKS MENTIONED Free SMIS GuideSafety Leadership Roadmap Session 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/

  2. Sep 7 ·  Video

    Stop Being a Department of One

    Every inspection, every policy, every training, every near-miss follow-up routes back to you, and the to-do list never ends. You're the department of one. Being overwhelmed in safety isn't a time management problem. It's a design problem. In this episode I break down how you became the department of one, and the three moves that get you out. Full show notes: https://thesafetygeek.com/142 LINKS MENTIONED Free SMIS GuideSafety Leadership Roadmap Session 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/

  3. Aug 31 ·  Video

    Why Everything You Were Taught Keeps You Stuck

    You were taught to know the regulations cold, enforce the rules, and catch what people are doing wrong — and that training is exactly what is capping your career. In this episode Brye names the safety cop trap, shows why compliance only ever buys you surface behavior instead of real buy-in, and tells the story of the wall she hit when her own team started hiding things from her. This is the belief shift the rest of the series is built on. Read the full show notes at: https://thesafetygeek.com/141 Links Mentioned: Download the free SMIS GuideBook a Safety Leadership Roadmap SessionEpisode 140: The Rockstar Safety Executive Roadmap 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/

  4. Aug 24 ·  Video

    The Safety Leadership Roadmap

    This episode lays out the complete roadmap from safety manager to safety executive, starting with why safety gets handed all the responsibility and none of the authority. It breaks down the three things every safety lead actually wants (money, status and job security), the three things standing in the way (overwhelm, being ignored and a lack of confidence), and the Safety Management Cycle and Safety Influencer System that close the gap. Listeners will learn why compliance-based safety can never reach zero, and why influence rather than enforcement is what builds a safety career.  Read the full show notes at: https://thesafetygeek.com/140    Links Mentioned: Download the free SMIS GuideSafety Leadership AcademyThe Artificial Authority Trap 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/

  5. Feb 23

    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 Matters03:06 Tito’s Global Safety Journey: Building Standards from the Ground Up04:36 Women Entering the Trades Worldwide: What Tito Sees Internationally07:32 The ‘Shrink It and Pink It’ Era—and Why It Had to End08:43 Designing PPE ‘For Her’: How Red Wing Builds Fit the Right Way10:19 Real-World Risks of Ill-Fitting PPE: Boots, Gloves, and Snag Hazards14:56 The Business Case: Cost, Comfort, Productivity, and Compliance20:46 Safety Culture Wins: Companies That Invest in the Best Gear22:47 Getting Leadership Buy-In: Red Wing as a Partner, Not Just a Vendor24:05 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, Function28:55 The Future of PPE: Everyday Wear, More Comfort, More Compliance33:11 Stop Buying Cheap PPE: Value, Risk, and Making Educated Choices36:24 Fit Matters: Get Properly Fitted & Test PPE Before the Jobsite39:31 Footwear as a Foundation: Long-Term Body Health & Injury Prevention41:34 Respect & Inclusion: Why Women’s PPE Matters for Morale and Safety42:45 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/

  6. 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/

  7. 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/

  8. 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/

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4.7
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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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