AIHA Healthier Workplaces Show

Acastilloi

Each episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show covers timely and informative topics about industrial hygiene, environmental health, and safety issues to help you improve your workplace safety. In each episode, we speak with professionals from various industry sectors to explore workplace challenges, professional development opportunities, and solutions to today’s most pressing industrial hygiene and occupational safety challenges.

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 95 - How OEHS Professionals Can Support Emergency Response Departments

    How OEHS Professionals Can Support Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Programs for Emergency Response Departments  Emergency responders routinely encounter complex occupational hazards that go far beyond active emergency response operations. Protecting worker health requires comprehensive programs that address everything from exposure assessment and risk management to fatigue, mental health, and emerging workplace hazards.  In this episode of AIHA’s Healthier Workplaces Show, host Alejandro Castillo welcomes Laura Weems, CIH, CSP, CHMM, Safety & Occupational Health Manager at the U.S. Department of Energy and co-author of AIHA’s white paper, How OEHS Professionals Can Support Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Programs for Emergency Response Departments.  Their discussion explores why AIHA developed this new resource, the value OEHS professionals bring to emergency response organizations, the importance of differentiating Incident Safety Plans from long-term occupational health and wellness programs, and how organizations can better prepare for evolving risks through an all-hazards approach.  Listen to this discussion that covers the importance of protecting emergency responders and strengthening occupational safety, health, and wellness programs across emergency response departments.  Read the white paper here: https://www.aiha.org/education/white-papers/how-oehs-professionals-can-support-occupational-safety-health-and-wellness-programs-for-emergency-response-departments

  2. Sep 10

    Episode 94 - From Classroom to Workplace: Jacey Johnson’s Journey into Industrial Hygiene

    In this episode of Season 5 of AIHA’s Healthier Workplaces Show, host Alejandro Castillo speaks with Jacey Johnson about her experiences as an industrial hygiene graduate student and global workplace safety intern at a General Motors manufacturing facility.  Jacey graduated from Northern Michigan University in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Environmental Science. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health in environmental health sciences and industrial hygiene at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.  During her internship, Jacey worked on industrial hygiene projects involving occupational noise, hearing conservation, and air sampling for hexavalent chromium fumes in welding areas. She later presented her work at General Motors’ Manufacturing Intern Day in Warren, Michigan.  Listen to learn how Jacey is applying her education in a real-world manufacturing environment, developing her understanding of workplace exposures, and building the knowledge and experience needed to protect worker health.  Topics include industrial hygiene education, workplace safety internships, occupational noise, hearing conservation, exposure assessment, air sampling, welding fumes, hexavalent chromium, manufacturing safety, environmental health sciences, and early-career opportunities in OEHS.

  3. Aug 27

    Episode 93 - Dust Explosion Hazards: Identification and Mitigation Strategies Online Course

    Combustible dust hazards can develop in processes and materials that may initially appear ordinary. Recognizing the conditions that contribute to a fire, flash fire, or explosion is an important part of protecting workers and facilities.  In this Season 5 episode of AIHA’s Healthier Workplaces Show, host Alejandro Castillo speaks with Dr. Vahid Ebadat, President of Stonehouse Process Safety, Inc., and co-author of AIHA’s Dust Explosion Hazards: Identification and Mitigation Strategies online course.  Dr. Ebadat has worked as a process safety consultant for the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, paper and wood, and other process industries around the world for more than 30 years. His areas of expertise include dust explosions, static electricity, gas and vapor flammability, and thermal decomposition and self-heating hazard assessment and control.  During the conversation, Dr. Ebadat explains what makes combustible dust a significant workplace hazard and what OEHS professionals should consider when evaluating a potentially hazardous process. He also discusses common misconceptions, laboratory tests including Kst, Pmax, MIE, MIT, and LIT, and the changing standards landscape surrounding NFPA 660.  The episode also examines how containment, ventilation, explosion venting, suppression, and isolation can work together as part of a broader mitigation strategy.  Listen to learn more about identifying combustible dust hazards, understanding relevant test data, and selecting strategies to reduce the risk of dust fires and explosions.  Topics include combustible dust, dust explosions, process safety, industrial hygiene, dust hazard identification, Kst, Pmax, minimum ignition energy, ignition temperature, NFPA 660, explosion venting, suppression, isolation, ventilation, and worker protection.

  4. Aug 13

    Rebroadcast - Donna M. Doganiero's Career in OEHS and The 9/11 Attack

    This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired on Nov. 13, 2025. In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Industrial Hygienist Donna M. Doganiero, CIH. Donna is a distinguished occupational and environmental health professional with a career spanning more than five decades in industrial hygiene. In 1981, she began a long, impactful career with the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, formerly the U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency, advancing from field project officer to director of occupational health sciences. With the Army, she managed large, multidisciplinary programs in industrial hygiene, ergonomics, radiation safety, vector-borne diseases, and medical safety assessments during weapon system development. Donna served as the industrial hygiene consultant to the Army Office of the Surgeon General on technical and policy issues. Among her many honors, Donna received the Commander’s Award for Civil Service Excellence for her participation in the response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Pentagon. We’re going to talk about Donna’s more than 50 years in OEHS and learn how the OEHS field has changed over her career.

  5. Jul 23

    Episode 92 - Presenting at AIHA Connect 2026: Insights, Takeaways, and Reflections

    In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Reginald J. Richards, DrPH, CIH.  Reg is a semi-retired occupational health behavioral scientist. He was previously the global EHS manager for occupational health at Meta Platform and a safety and wellness leader at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT theme parks. He has also worked at OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration and served as an environmental sciences officer in the U.S. Army.   At AIHA Connect 2026, Reg presented an educational session “Imposter Syndrome in Science and Safety: Confronting the Inner Critic.” This educational session explored imposter syndrome, its causes and contributing factors, and how professionals can recognize triggers and develop strategies to move forward with confidence.   Today, we're talking to Reg about his experience presenting at the conference, his insights and takeaways, and the professional benefits of speaking at AIHA Connect.  Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.

  6. Jul 6

    Episode 91 - The 2026 Alice Hamilton Award for Social Responsibility Recipient

    In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Lester Claravall.  In his nearly three decades with the Oklahoma Department of Labor, Lester has been a driving force for protecting children in the workplace. He has pioneered partnerships, programs, and publications to educate employers, educators, parents, and teenagers about workplace rights and safety.   Lester played a key role in developing the award-winning game "Paying Attention Pays," which is now used to teach workplace rights and safety in schools throughout Oklahoma and North Carolina., He also launched the nationally-recognized video contest "Speak Out for Workplace Safety," which empowers students in Oklahoma High Schools to create public service announcements promoting job safety.   Lester is the 2026 recipient of the Alice Hamilton Award for Social Responsibility. This award distinguishes individuals who have recognized and addressed the diverse needs of the workforce by developing and advancing the practice of social welfare and responsibility through public service, community service, and non-traditional social reform, thereby making a major impact on and improvement of public welfare.  Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.

  7. Jun 25

    Episode 90 - Luminary Series: Yves Alarie's Career in OEHS

    In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Toxicologist Yves Alarie, PhD, DABT, ATS. Yves is the founder of the invention RD50, also known as the Alarie Test. The RD50 test is an experimental method used to assess the concentration of a substance that induces a 50% reduction in breathing frequency in male Swiss-Webster mice. It is primarily used to evaluate sensory irritation of the upper respiratory tract and is considered for risk assessment in occupational health. Today’s episode is part of our Luminary series. We’re going to talk about Yves Alarie’s 40-plus years in OEHS and learn about how the OEHS industry has changed since he started his career. Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.

  8. Jun 11

    Episode 89 - Luminary Series: Dr. Morton Corn's Career in OEHS

    In this episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show Podcast, we interview Industrial Hygienist Dr. Morton Corn, PhD, CSP. Dr. Corn is a distinguished leader in industrial hygiene whose career spans academia, research, and national policy. In 1975, he made history by becoming the first industrial hygienist to be appointed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, marking a significant moment for the profession and its role in shaping workplace safety standards.   As a Fellow of AIHA, he has been an active voice in shaping the profession and supporting its continued growth. Throughout his career, Dr. Corn has been especially valued as a mentor and educator, helping guide the next generation of professionals while reinforcing the critical role of industrial hygiene in protecting public health.  Today’s episode is part of our Luminary series. We’re going to talk about Dr. Morton Corn’s 45-plus years in OEHS and learn about how the OEHS industry has changed since he started his career.   Watch the full episode and join the conversation with industry leaders in the Catalyst and Healthy Workplaces Show communities.

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About

Each episode of the Healthier Workplaces Show covers timely and informative topics about industrial hygiene, environmental health, and safety issues to help you improve your workplace safety. In each episode, we speak with professionals from various industry sectors to explore workplace challenges, professional development opportunities, and solutions to today’s most pressing industrial hygiene and occupational safety challenges.

Information

  • Creator
    Acastilloi
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    AIHA Healthier Workplaces Show