Climbing the Ladder with the Safety Bros

Ruiz Brothers
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The Safety Bros Podcast is a specialized platform dedicated to advancing construction safety culture and empowering the next generation of leaders in the industry. Through insightful discussions, expert interviews, and real-life case studies, the podcast addresses safety not only as a protective measure but as a crucial foundation for leadership. Our goal is to build a knowledge-sharing community that helps young managers lead safer, more effective teams, reducing risk and improving overall productivity.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Safe-Off or Pay Up: The Real Risks of Unplanned Demolition

    Episode Description Most people think demolition is the fun part. Brad and Dan know a different side to the work. Before any real demo work starts, there's a sequence of steps that separates the reputable contractors from the ones who lose money and people get hurt. This episode pulls back the curtain on that sequence, built from their years running commercial demo at scale, including mass demo at San Francisco Terminal One and Three Airport. Whether you're a demo sub trying to tighten up your operation, a GC managing the process, or a safety pro who wants to get ahead of hazards before they become incidents, this episode gives you a concrete framework you can apply on your next project. Topics covered: pre-demo hazmat surveys and who's responsible for getting them done, what to do when you uncover hidden layers mid-demo, utility safe offs and what a clean one actually looks like, air gaps and why they matter, color coding systems for what stays versus what goes, occupied-building protocols and keeping the client's facilities team in the room, lockout tagout verification, debris handling efficiency and why most demo companies lose money by touching the same material too many times. Key Takeaways 1 Get the hazmat survey before anyone swings a tool. You cannot tell asbestos or lead by looking at it, and old materials get buried under new finishes all the time. When in doubt, test it. 2 If you uncover hidden layers mid-demo, stop and test them too. A second floor under the first or a wall behind a wall is not a surprise you push through. It is a stop-work moment until you know what you are dealing with. 3 A safe off is only as good as its air gaps. Physical disconnection is the only proof that something is truly dead. Flagging or color-coding without an air gap is not a safe off, it is a guess. 4 In occupied spaces, never mark overhead MEP with spray paint. Overspray hits adjacent live conduit and creates a utility strike waiting to happen. Use ribbon or flagging every ten feet instead. 5 Pull the client and their facilities team into your utility investigation before demo starts. They often do not know what powers what. Discovering that after you have killed someone's server room is too late. 6 Track how many times your crew touches each piece of debris. Every extra touch costs money and adds exposure time. The goal is a straight line: out of the building and into the dumpster. Episode Segments & Timestamps [00:00] | Welcome Back: Two Demo Guys Walk Into a Podcast [00:30] | What Brad and Dan Actually Did: Mass Demo, Airport Teardowns, and Controlled Chaos [01:27] | "Demo Sounds Fun" (It Does, For About 90 Minutes) [02:12] | Step One Before Any Demo: Get the Hazmat Survey Done [03:37] | Who's Responsible for the Survey? (It's Not Always Who You Think) [05:22] | What Happens When You Demo a Wall and Find Another Wall Behind It [06:13] | Safe Offs 101: Air Gaps, Color Coding, and Why Paint Will Get Someone Hurt [09:11] | Flagging Overhead MEP Every Ten Feet and Avoiding the Overspray Trap [10:39] | Occupied Buildings: Pulling the Client's Facilities Team Into the Investigation [13:20] | The Pre-Demo Meeting Every Foreman on Site Needs to Be In [15:23] | Why So Many Companies Lose Their Shirt Trying to Do Demo [16:00] | Efficiency Is Everything: How Many Times Are You Touching That Debris? [18:57] | Under-Trained Foremen Are Why Demo Companies Go Under

    Safe-Off or Pay Up: The Real Risks of Unplanned Demolition

  2. 1d ago

    The PPE Police Debate: Enforcing Safety or Destroying Trust?

    1 | In this episode of The Safety Bros, Brad and Dan tackle one of the most taboo conversations in the workplace — how to confidently advocate for yourself when pursuing a promotion. They break down why the "keep your head down and work hard" mentality isn't enough, and what managers are actually looking for when they decide who moves up. From building a paper trail of real outcomes, to walking into that conversation with clarity and confidence, they lay out a practical playbook that works at any level. 2 | You work hard. You never say no. You deliver results. So why haven't you been promoted yet? In this episode, Brad and Dan get real about one of the most unspoken career challenges in construction: how to advocate for yourself without sounding arrogant. They break down what leaders actually look for, how to bring the right "receipts," and why close mouths don't get promoted. 3 | Managers don't promote effort — they promote outcomes. In this episode, Brad and Dan unpack the art of asking for a promotion: what to say, how to say it, and how to turn a "not yet" into your roadmap. Whether you're climbing the ladder in construction or any other trade, this one's for you. 4 | This one’s for the safety professional who’s been called the PPE police — and hated it. Brad and Dan get real about how to actually get workers to wear their PPE when you can’t stand over every person all day. The answer, they argue, has nothing to do with enforcement and everything to do with personal connection, lead-by-example culture, and getting your line managers to carry the weight. Plus, Dan shares a story about a nail, a skid steer, and the day he stopped being notorious for wearing his safety glasses behind his ears. 5 | PPE — everybody’s problem, nobody’s solution. Walk any construction site in America and you’ll find the same thing: workers who know they should be wearing it, a safety pro exhausted from calling it out, and a culture that hasn’t moved the needle in years. Brad and Dan are done pretending enforcement is the answer. In this episode, they lay out a better approach — one built on shared responsibility, personal accountability, and the kind of close call that makes you never forget your glasses again. Blunt, honest, and straight from the job site. ✓ | SELECTED INTRO: PPE continues to be one of the most common challenges on construction sites. Most workers know what protective equipment they're supposed to wear, so why are safety professionals still spending so much time enforcing it? In this episode, Dan and Brad discuss the challenges of PPE enforcement, personal accountability, and shared responsibility. Drawing from their years of construction experience, they challenge the traditional approach to safety enforcement and explain why building relationships in the field can be more effective than constantly policing workers. Mark PODCAST OUTRO Outro Script | standard EPISODE SUMMARY Short Summary | Brad and Dan break down the real reason hard workers get passed over for promotions — it's not about effort, it's about impact. This episode gives construction pros a clear, honest playbook for advancing their careers. Full Summary | You've worked hard, delivered results, and never said no — so why haven't you been promoted? In this episode, Brad and Dan pull back the curtain on the unspoken rules of career advancement in construction. They explain why managers promote outcomes, not effort, and how to close the gap between doing great work and actually getting recognized for it.Topics covered: effort vs. impact, building a receipts file of real outcomes, advocating across the organization, handling a 'not yet' with professionalism, setting clear follow-up timelines, asking without sounding arrogant, and why training your replacement is the fastest path to your own promotion.Whether you're a foreman, a safety pro, or a field leader looking to climb, this episode gives you practical tools you can use in your next career conversation. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1 | Don't become the PPE police. Hard work is expected. What gets you promoted is the lasting impact you've made — on the project, the team, the culture. 2 | It has to be personal. Document real outcomes: what you did, what it saved, what it improved. Don't rely on memory. Show up prepared with facts. 3 | Line managers are your multiplier. If only your direct boss knows what you're doing, you're exposed. Build visibility with multiple leaders. 4 | "Not yet" is your roadmap, not a rejection. Ask what it takes, define the gaps, and lock in a follow-up timeline. Don't walk out without a date. 5 | PPE is evolving — use that. You can't get promoted if no one can do what you do. Developing people around you signals leadership, not risk. 6 | Close mouths don't get promoted. Advocating for yourself isn't about ego — it's about making your value unmistakable.

    The PPE Police Debate: Enforcing Safety or Destroying Trust?

  3. May 15 ·  Bonus

    Construction Workers are Occupational Athletes Who (mostly) Treat Their Bodies Like Rental Equipment

    Episode Summary Construction workers are called occupational athletes, so why aren't they treating their bodies like it? Brad, Dan, and guest Kevin get real about the health habits that are quietly shortening careers in the trades. Sleep, diet, hydration, and movement. It all adds up, and nobody's talking about it enough. Episode Details Brad, Dan, and guest Kevin are done recording a fall protection episode, but nobody wants to leave yet. So they get real about something most safety talks skip entirely: the health of the people actually doing the work. No agenda, no slides, just three guys who've lived the construction lifestyle talking honestly about what it does to your body over time. The conversation covers the four pillars quietly wrecking construction workers from the inside out: sleep, diet, hydration, and exercise. Long commutes and longer hours mean most workers are running on fumes before the first tool gets picked up. The roach coach isn't helping. Neither is the pattern of beer at night, coffee at dawn, an energy drink to push through the afternoon, and maybe two water bottles somewhere in between. Brad makes the point bluntly: that cycle produces a chronically dehydrated person doing manual labor, and dehydration is exactly when soft tissue injuries happen.  These aren't guys theorizing from an office. They've felt this personally. The crew also makes a point that doesn't get said enough: construction work is physically demanding, but it's not the same as training your body. Repetitive motion on the job doesn't replace real exercise. Weight training, cardiovascular work, and stretching, especially for your ligaments, can add years to a career. The guys who manage all of this, the ones treating their body like the tool it is, are the ones who hit their pension healthy enough to actually enjoy it. This one is for any tradesperson or foreman who's ever looked up and realized the job has quietly been winning the war against their body. You don't need to be in crisis to get something out of this conversation. If you're tired all the time, running on caffeine and willpower, or watching older guys limp toward early retirement, this episode is worth your commute. You'll walk away with a clearer picture of what's actually draining you, and a few honest reminders that taking care of yourself isn't soft, it's what keeps you on the job and present at home. Key Takeaways 1. Think of your body as your primary tool. Maintain it the same way you would maintain equipment you depend on to do the job. 2. Sleep is the first thing to go and the first thing that hurts you. If a long commute is cutting into your rest, treat sleep recovery as seriously as you treat showing up on time. 3. The roach coach is convenient, not good for you. Packing your own food, or having someone at home help you prep it, is one of the highest-return health habits you can build. 4. Hydration on a job site is not two water bottles and an energy drink. If you are doing manual labor in the heat, chronic dehydration is a direct path to soft tissue injuries. 5. Beer at night plus coffee in the morning plus minimal water through the day adds up to a dehydrated worker doing a physically demanding job. That math does not work in your favor. 6. Exercise outside of work needs to be different from work. Repetitive job movements do not count as training. Add weight training and cardio on your own time to balance what the job demands from your body. 7. Stretching and flexibility work protect your ligaments. Your job already stresses them daily, so add a deliberate stretch routine before or after your shift.

    Construction Workers are Occupational Athletes Who (mostly) Treat Their Bodies Like Rental Equipment

  4. May 13

    Stop Piecing It Together: How to Build a Managed Fall Protection Program

    In this podcast episode, safety professionals Dan, Brad, and Kevin Goodwin advocate for a systematic and proactive approach to fall protection in the construction industry. They contrast high-level ANSI Z359.2 standards, which provide a comprehensive framework for managed systems, against basic regulatory requirements that often lead to reactive safety measures. The discussion clarifies the distinct roles within a program, specifically differentiating between qualified persons who engineer systems and authorized persons who use the equipment. The participants emphasize the hierarchy of protection, urging companies to prioritize hazard elimination and restraint over fall arrest whenever possible. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of managerial commitment, consistent training, and the transition toward digital data collection to ensure long-term program effectiveness. Ultimately, the source serves as a guide for implementing a structured safety culture that balances technical assurance with practical field application. Topics covered: the ANSI Z359.2 Managed Fall Protection System standard, the four key roles (Program Manager, Qualified Person, Competent Person, Authorized Person), training cadence for each role, the hierarchy of controls (elimination through fall arrest), SRL classes and common equipment misuse, paper vs. digital tracking, using data to maintain management buy-in, and why prevention through design is the first question you should be asking. Whether you're a foreman, a safety pro, or a field leader looking to climb, this episode gives you practical tools you can use in your next career conversation. Key takeaways: 1. Build a program, not a pile of gear. A managed fall protection system is auditable, data-generating, and technically assured. Piecing it together after an incident is too late. 2. Know the difference between Qualified, Competent, and Authorized. These roles mean specific things in fall protection. The Qualified Person designs systems, not the one putting the harness on. 3. Fall arrest is the last resort, not the first answer. The hierarchy: eliminate the hazard, prevent with barriers, restrain, then arrest. Most crews skip straight to arrest and many of those systems would not stop a fall in time. 4. Training needs to be robust and recurring. A half-hour online competent person course is not adequate. The medicine wears off. Cadence should match the complexity of systems workers use. 5. Data is your best tool for management buy-in. Permit volume trends, inspection dates, and incident correlation give management a reason to stay invested, not just a promise. 6. Standardize your equipment list. Build an approved equipment list tied to your job site exposures. Workers order from it; anything outside requires safety sign-off. Consistency prevents misuse.

    Stop Piecing It Together: How to Build a Managed Fall Protection Program

  5. Apr 8

    Effort vs. Impact: Why Working Hard Isn't Enough to Get Promoted

    You've worked hard, delivered results, and never said no, so why haven't you been promoted? In this episode, Brad and Dan pull back the curtain on the unspoken rules of career advancement in construction. They explain why managers promote outcomes, not effort, and how to close the gap between doing great work and actually getting recognized for it. Topics covered: effort vs. impact, building a receipts file of real outcomes, advocating across the organization, handling a 'not yet' with professionalism, setting clear follow-up timelines, asking without sounding arrogant, and why training your replacement is the fastest path to your own promotion. Whether you're a foreman, a safety pro, or a field leader looking to climb, this episode gives you practical tools you can use in your next career conversation. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1 | Managers promote outcomes, not effort. Hard work is expected. What gets you promoted is the lasting impact you've made — on the project, the team, the culture. 2 | Bring receipts, not feelings. Document real outcomes: what you did, what it saved, what it improved. Don't rely on memory. Show up prepared with facts. 3 | Advocate across the organization. If only your direct boss knows what you're doing, you're exposed. Build visibility with multiple leaders. 4 | "Not yet" is your roadmap, not a rejection. Ask what it takes, define the gaps, and lock in a follow-up timeline. Don't walk out without a date. 5 | Train your replacement. You can't get promoted if no one can do what you do. Developing people around you signals leadership, not risk. 6 | Close mouths don't get promoted. Advocating for yourself isn't about ego — it's about making your value unmistakable. Thanks for tuning in!

    Effort vs. Impact: Why Working Hard Isn't Enough to Get Promoted

  6. 12/20/2025

    Solving the Hard Problems: Consulting and Leadership with Jon Ruiz

    In this episode of Climbing the Ladder, the Safety Bros sit down with Jon Ruiz, a seasoned consultant with over 20 years of experience building businesses, advising executives, and solving complex problems across a wide range of industries.  Jon shares his real-world journey into consulting, breaking down what it actually takes to succeed beyond theory, covering leadership under pressure, relationship management, problem-solving, and why being “comfortable being uncomfortable” is a requirement, not a slogan. This conversation dives deep into consulting as a viable career path and highlights lessons learned from working with startups, small businesses, and large corporations. Here are key takeaways for anyone considering the leap into consulting or looking to level up their game: . Consulting is about relationships, not reports. Trust, clarity, and follow-through matter more than frameworks. . If you’re not comfortable being uncomfortable, consulting for innovation isn’t for you. The ambiguity never goes away. . Great consultants solve problems, they don’t just point them out. Execution beats theory every time. . Safety and construction consulting mirror executive consulting: risk management, leadership, and decision-making under pressure. . Compensation models matter. Hourly, project-based, retainers, each fits different clients and stages. . New consultants should prioritize experience over rates. Early projects are investments in long-term credibility. . Executives value clarity. Summarize decisions, define next steps, and never leave meetings misaligned. . Listening is a leadership skill. Effective consultants meet people where they are, not where they think they should be. . Long-term clients are built, not sold. Trust compounds over years, not invoices. Segments: 00:00 Started 1st business in college, started a furniture and cabinetry business, managed projects and teams. 04:40 People can achieve amazing things when they trust and support each other. 08:40 Solutions emerge from combining unconventional ideas. 10:01 Corporate dynamics often overshadow individual efforts, leading to projects being abandoned despite significant personal investment. 15:25 I advise founders and executives on strategic decisions like launching, pivoting, or rebuilding brands. 16:04 Effective project collaboration requires understanding leaders' urgency, pressures, and clear communication, especially summarizing action points concisely. 20:49 Focus on the goal, clarify the endpoint vision, then work backward to create a strategy. 25:28 Set a minimum workload, manage outsourcing efficiently, and account for additional costs. 27:40 Small businesses often lack the capital to fund consistent, full-time consulting efforts, leading to slower, part-time progress. 31:38 Experience is invaluable; invest to gain it. 34:42 Winning bids is tough; early lessons come from losing, and transparent client relationships help navigate rates effectively. 36:59 Shoutout to BuildBetter Earth and Aquatic Futures—innovative efforts in sustainable materials and dive training inspire my consulting work. 40:10 Embrace challenges and mistakes; excitement fuels success. 42:44 Safety Bros focuses on innovation, AI, and collaboration, valuing experts and newcomers to improve together. DM me or reach out at info@thesafetybros.com or @safety.bros, we love sharing ideas that move the industry forward!

    Solving the Hard Problems: Consulting and Leadership with Jon Ruiz

  7. 09/29/2025

    From Chaos to Coordination: Steps to Boost Crew Engagement and Safety with Daily Planning

    If you want to run a safer, more efficient business, daily planning is key, especially in construction. In this episode of Safety Bros, we break down how simple pre-task plans don’t just keep your crews safe, but drive productivity, cut down on costly mistakes, and build future leaders on your team.  On the latest episode of the Safety Bros podcast, we dove deep into one of the most overlooked but impactful tools for construction crews: daily planning. Whether you’re leading a field crew or running operations from the office, integrating daily planning with safety isn’t just a paperwork exercise, it’s a game changer for productivity, culture, and incident reduction. Key takeaways you can implement today: Bridge the Gap Between Safety and Operations: Don’t let safety planning and operations work in silos. Making pre-task planning part of your daily workflow drives both safety and productivity—no extra “busywork,” just smart, proactive coordination.Simple > Complicated: Forget the endless checkboxes and intimidating forms. A five-minute crew huddle, an email, or even a phone note can set clear expectations, identify hazards, and get everyone on the same page without the paperwork burden.People Development and Engagement: Daily planning conversations expose emerging leaders, improve communication, and create team ownership. When you engage your crew, you’re not just reducing incidents—you’re building future foremen and supervisors.Start small: Pick the format that fits your company, commit to consistency, and focus on the conversation—not just the documentation. Your team (and your bottom line) will thank you. Want to learn how to tailor daily planning for your operation? DM me or reach out at info@thesafetybros.com or @safety.bros, we love sharing ideas that move the industry forward! Segments: 00:00 Daily Task and Hazard Plan 04:07 Pre Task Plan Challenges 08:50 "Boosting Professionalism through Engagement" 10:11 Daily Session Planning Builds Leaders 14:46 "Fostering Future Leaders in Trades" 20:27 Streamlined Communication Strategy 22:04 Ownership Through Personal Initiative 25:42 "Start Implementing Standard Procedures" 29:09 Evaluate Your Project Processes Thanks for tuning in!

    From Chaos to Coordination: Steps to Boost Crew Engagement and Safety with Daily Planning

  8. 04/11/2025

    The Road to Safety: Conversations on Leadership and Ethics with Kevin Goodwin

    Excited to share some insights from the latest episode of the Safety Bros podcast!  We had the pleasure of speaking with Kevin Goodwin, an EHS manager, about the journey and challenges in the world of construction safety. Here are 3 key takeaways: Leadership Through Action: Kevin emphasizes that true leadership comes from actions, not words. Leading by example sets the tone for others to follow in maintaining safety standards.Adaptability and Learning: The construction safety landscape is dynamic. Being open to learning from both successes and failures helps professionals anticipate risks and innovate safer practices.Building Relationships: In the safety profession, fostering relationships is crucial. It's not just about issuing orders; it's about engaging with the team to build trust and advocate for a safer work environment.Want more info? Here are other key highlights from Kevin: The Reality of Planning: "When I applied at Berkeley, one of the questions they asked me, you know, in the interview, they said, you know, do you, you know, do you have a crystal ball, you know, like, can you just see every scenario and know what's going on? I say, you know, that's. Anybody who tells you that's lying to you." — Kevin Goodwin [00:11:27 → 00:11:42] "Fostering Open Communication: Let's have a talk about, is there a better way to do that? Technically, what you're doing doesn't follow our requirements. But let's talk about it." — Kevin Goodwin [00:20:29 → 00:20:37] "The Importance of Ethics in Life-Saving Work": "The only way to do this job is to be unmercifully attached to your ethics and your Morals, Right. To know that I am responsible for that person going home safe just as much as they are." — Kevin Goodwin [00:23:17 → 00:23:29] "Your Best Ability is Availability": "I tell my people that all the time. Like I, you make mistakes, I don't care. You know, you, you make poor decisions, I don't care. But if you're not available, if you're not engaged, if you're not ready to put in the work for the job, then I just, I got no use for you because you're gonna get calls in the moment in time when you could help somebody." — Kevin Goodwin [00:25:19 → 00:25:40] "Embracing the Next Wave in Industry": "Well, this next wave is a whole different animal. And it has to be because the industry's changing, right? Everything these days is about real time data, upstream, understanding, kind of task by task level, kind of risk and hazards and controls." — Kevin Goodwin [00:27:06 → 00:27:25] The Power of Active Listening: "A lot of times I may have been listening to someone tell me something and I'm already kind of crafting why it's wrong or what I would do instead. And oftentimes it's better to listen." — Kevin Goodwin [00:32:43 → 00:32:56] "The Coming Knowledge Vacuum in the Safety Profession": "Yeah, rely on the young people, right? Pass your knowledge on, first of all, right? Because you know there's going to be a vacuum here real soon because the safety profession kind of started, so all those people who filled all those jobs are all retiring, like we talked about earlier. There is going to be a vacuum there and if you don't transfer that knowledge, it's like starting over." — Kevin Goodwin [00:36:15 → 00:36:43] Spotting Leadership Potential: "Everybody on my team's a potential leader. But you see certain things in people that you realize, okay, that was a hard spot, and this person really navigated it. That's a leader, right?" — Kevin Goodwin [00:37:54 → 00:38:04] Thanks for tuning in! info@thesafetybros.com

    The Road to Safety: Conversations on Leadership and Ethics with Kevin Goodwin

  9. 03/02/2025

    Master Building Effective Construction Safety Relationships: Priority #1 for New Safety Pros

    Brad and Dan discussed keys to success for new safety professionals in the construction industry. Here are some takeaways: 🔹 Build Relationships: Establish connections with everyone on the team. Respect and understanding across roles foster a collaborative and effective safety culture. 🔹 Master the Day-to-Day: Be accountable and dependable. Consistently hit your deadlines and follow through with commitments to build trust among colleagues. 🔹 Communication is Key: Be comfortable having difficult conversations and public speaking. Cultivate the ability to address safety concerns respectfully and confidently. Tune in to the full episode for more on climbing the ladder as a safety professional in the construction world. Stay safe and keep learning!  DM me or reach out at info@thesafetybros.com or @safety.bros, we love sharing ideas that move the industry forward!

    Master Building Effective Construction Safety Relationships: Priority #1 for New Safety Pros

  10. 01/27/2025

    Empowering New Leaders in Construction: Starting with Safety

    The construction industry is one of the most challenging and dangerous sectors in America, responsible for a significant portion of work-related injuries and fatalities. Given the inherent risks, there's an unparalleled priority on safety, making it an ideal starting point for developing new leaders. The Safety Bros, Daniel and Brad share their insights into why nurturing leadership through safety can be transformative not just for individuals but also for the industry as a whole.

    Empowering New Leaders in Construction: Starting with Safety
  • 10 Episodes

About

The Safety Bros Podcast is a specialized platform dedicated to advancing construction safety culture and empowering the next generation of leaders in the industry. Through insightful discussions, expert interviews, and real-life case studies, the podcast addresses safety not only as a protective measure but as a crucial foundation for leadership. Our goal is to build a knowledge-sharing community that helps young managers lead safer, more effective teams, reducing risk and improving overall productivity.

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