Safety Heroes - the Health, Safety, and Environment Podcast

Mousa Yassin

The Health, Safety, and Enviroment space is made of everyday people who are real-life heroes, committed to creating a safe environment and engaging safety culture within their companies. Their priority is to ensure each and everyone of their employees gets to return home after a day’s work unharmed, and that both wellbeing and the planet are a core consideration: they are unsung heroes.

In fact, you never hear about them when they do their jobs right!

We want to celebrate these everyday people and inspire others in that space to look at things differently, improve their safety management plans and overall learn as a collective; making “HSE” a cornerstone of every company’s culture.

So let’s celebrate those leaders from the Health, Safety, and Environment space who stand on the frontline and the emotional/human implications of working in the safety space.

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Episodes

Dr I. David Daniels - From physical safety to addressing psychosocial hazards
Oct 1 2024
Dr I. David Daniels - From physical safety to addressing psychosocial hazards
In this week’s episode, Dr. I. David Daniels shares his journey from a young firefighter to becoming a leading expert in occupational health and safety, with a deep focus on psychological well-being. Dr. Daniels opens up about his early years in the fire rescue service, detailing the thrilling, varied, and sometimes tragic experiences he encountered over 30 years on the frontline, where he witnessed life-threatening hazards, the loss of colleagues, and the often-overlooked emotional toll on first responders.One of the central themes is the shift from focusing solely on physical safety to embracing the importance of psychosocial safety—the hidden emotional and psychological risks that workers face. He shares personal stories, including the struggles of being a Black man in a predominantly white field and the emotional weight of losing 30 colleagues, either in the line of duty or due to long-term trauma-induced suicide, noting that suicide has become the leading cause of death for first responders.Another key theme is the importance of leadership in fostering psychological safety. Dr. Daniels explains how empathy, acceptance, and understanding are vital to creating safe spaces, not just for physical well-being but also for mental health; again outlining the fact that the bottomline success of a company is more intertwined with psychological safety than people seem to believe.Dr. Daniels closes with a personal mantra that sums up his outlook: "Life is empty and meaningless—we make meaning out of it". His message is a call to action, urging individuals to take control of their own psychological health, understand what truly brings them peace and joy, and create environments where both physical and psychological safety are prioritised.Dr Daniels' LinkedinPsychological hazards are real book presale.Dr Daniel's website - ID2 SolutionsSend us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.
Melissa Mark-Joyce - Beyond compliance and diversity: building a proactive safety culture
Sep 24 2024
Melissa Mark-Joyce - Beyond compliance and diversity: building a proactive safety culture
In this episode, Melissa Mark-Joyce, Vice President of HSE at Smiths Group, shares her career journey, which spans over two decades in the oil and gas industry and more recently, in manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. She reflects on her early passion for health and safety, rooted in her time working in the North Sea, a region known for its advanced safety culture following the Piper Alpha disaster. Melissa explains how significant incidents, such as the Macondo oil spill, further highlighted the importance of safety in high-risk industries and shaped her understanding of health and safety's critical role in business success. Having recently transitioned to a global role at Smiths Group, Melissa, a big believer in standardisation, emphasises the transferable nature of safety practices across industries and the need for continuous learning and collaboration to improve workplace safety worldwide.Melissa also discusses the evolving nature of health and safety, moving beyond compliance-driven mindsets toward a more holistic, proactive approach that prioritises employee well-being and engagement, as well as leadership participation across different areas of the business.She stresses that empowering individuals and fostering a strong safety culture directly contributes to business success, as motivated, healthy employees drive performance.Melissa also touches on her own experiences with diversity and inclusion (E,D&I) as a woman and a person of colour, noting that while diversity has become more visible in recent years, inclusion remains the bigger challenge. She indeed advocates for creating psychologically safe workplaces where diverse voices are heard and valued, as this inclusivity enhances decision-making and innovation. Her insights underscore the critical role of leadership in driving safety and inclusivity within organisations, as well as the importance of learning from both successes and failures within organisations and between organisations, in creating safer, more effective workplacesSend us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.
Simone Santos - HSE leadership & managing contractor safety in construction and renewables
Sep 17 2024
Simone Santos - HSE leadership & managing contractor safety in construction and renewables
In this episode, Mousa Yassin interviews Simone Santos, the Global Head of HSE for Enercon, a leading company in renewable energy solutions. Simone elaborates on her career journey, starting from her background in environmental engineering and the pivotal moment when she transitioned into HSE. She discusses the challenges and complexities she faced while managing safety in construction projects, especially when working with a wide range of subcontractors from different cultures and backgrounds. Throughout the conversation, Simone emphasises her approach of treating all personnel on site as part of her own team, striving for high safety standards and effective communication to mitigate risks.The discussion delves deeply into the intricacies of contractor safety competence, with Simone highlighting the need for rigorous training and supervision to ensure safe operations on construction sites. She also shifts focus to her current role in the renewables sector, explaining how the dynamics of installing wind turbines and managing production facilities pose unique challenges. Simone also shares a poignant personal story about a severe accident involving one of her team members that underscores the significance of safety in the workplace. Send us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.
Marieta Yordanova - Collaboration, leadership, and technology to transform the HSE space
Sep 3 2024
Marieta Yordanova - Collaboration, leadership, and technology to transform the HSE space
In this week’s episode, Marieta Yordanova, Asahi's International Group Health and Safety Director, shares her invaluable insights gained over 24 years in the industry.Marieta underscores the fundamental human right to safety at work and emphasises the importance of transparency and collaboration between organisations to enhance safety standards.Her journey from food engineering to a leadership role in health and safety reveals her passion for systematic processes and people-centred approaches. Through heartfelt storytelling and a deep understanding of the human elements involved in safety, Marieta advocates for engaging people genuinely to foster a culture of safety that extends beyond compliance to touch hearts and minds.Marieta discusses the critical role of leadership in embedding safety within organisational culture, emphasising that safety cannot be isolated but must be intertwined with productivity, quality, and overall operational efficiency. She elaborates on the importance of modernising safety practices through technology and digitalisation to attract younger generations and streamline safety processes. Moreover, Marieta's reflections on involving and listening to employees highlight a collaborative effort to identify and address safety concerns, making safety a shared responsibility. Her vision for the future focuses on celebrating successes and fostering an environment where safety measures are not imposed but embraced by all, making a conscious effort to involve the shop floor in creative solutions and initiatives in relation to Safety, creating a safer and more cohesive workplace.Send us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.
Myriam Perrier - Human-centred safety: shifting paradigms in the HSE space
Jul 30 2024
Myriam Perrier - Human-centred safety: shifting paradigms in the HSE space
In this podcast episode, Mousa Yassin welcomes Myriam Perrier, Vice President of Research and Development at Perrier Consulting, to discuss her journey and contributions to health, safety, and environment (HSE) and the integration of human-centred paradigms in safety practices.The conversation spans across three key concepts:1. A Passion for Human Rights and HSE: Myriam shares her background and how her passion for human rights transitioned into a deep commitment to HSE. Growing up around her father's business, she initially found health and safety regulations boring but later discovered their profound impact on improving human conditions. This realisation shifted her career focus from international law to safety and project management.2. Transforming organisational safety culture: The discussion goes into how Myriam and her team at Perrier Consulting help organisations transform their safety culture. Through detailed diagnostics, leadership training, and fostering meaningful field interactions, they enable companies to better understand and manage safety practices. Myriam also emphasises the importance of viewing workers' behaviours within the context created by the organisation and highlights the need for leaders at all levels to take active roles in safety improvements.3. Creating systems with empathy and partnership: Myriam explains the significance of co-creating safety systems with contractors to ensure more effective and empathetic policies. Instead of imposing rigid rules, she advocates for a partnership approach that aligns objectives and addresses challenges collaboratively. This philosophy extends beyond safety, proposing a holistic integration of quality, delivery, and financial considerations.Follow Myriam's journey over on Linkedin.Send us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.
Sukhy Hogwood - Safety by Design and the intertwined nature of Health, Safety, Environment, and Wellbeing and workplace efficiency
Jun 13 2024
Sukhy Hogwood - Safety by Design and the intertwined nature of Health, Safety, Environment, and Wellbeing and workplace efficiency
In this week’s episode, Mousa Yassin has a fascinating conversation with Sukhy Hogwood, fhrmer Head of HSEW Europe - People & Places Solutions at Jacobs and recently appointed SHEQ Director at Network Rail. Sukhy recounts her unexpected journey into the health and safety sector, motivated by a tragic accident early on. Over the past 20 years, she has dramatically broadened safety practices to include mental wellbeing, sustainability, and environmental considerations; and highlights two innovative programs she spearheaded at Jacobs: 'Five in Design,' which integrates safety into design processes, and a comprehensive mental health and wellbeing initiative. The conversation delves into the evolving safety landscape, the impact of leadership engagement on safety culture, and the critical role of happiness and mental wellbeing in the workplace. Sukhy’s passion and commitment to creating safer, happier work environments shine throughout the discussion, making this episode a valuable listen for anyone interested in holistic safety and wellbeing strategies that translate into workplace efficiency and is good for the bottom line.Follow Sukhy's journey on Linkedin.Send us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.
Rosie Russell - Thriving under pressure: leadership techniques for balancing stress, supporting mental wellbeing to create organisational success
May 30 2024
Rosie Russell - Thriving under pressure: leadership techniques for balancing stress, supporting mental wellbeing to create organisational success
In this powerful episode, Mousa Yassin welcomes Rosie Russell, Director of Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability at MeiraGTx and co-president of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management. Rosie shares her unique journey from being a research chemist to a prominent figure in health and safety, emphasising the importance of building up others, understanding behaviours, and fostering a collaborative work environment.Rosie discusses her mission to ensure health and safety are seen as facilitators within organisations, not blockers. She provides profound insights into the psychological aspects of workplace culture, highlighting how stress, mental health, and neurodiversity affect decision-making and overall workplace safety. Her compelling narrative underlines the necessity of creating a supportive and empathetic management style to cultivate a positive occupational environment.The conversation delves deep into various critical topics, including suicide prevention, the impact of managerial practices on employee stress, and the economic benefits of well-implemented mental health programs. Rosie sheds light on practical steps and strategies for leaders to improve organisational culture and employee well-being, making this episode a must-listen for anyone invested in creating a healthier, more effective workplace, where state-of-mind and bottomline are deeply intertwined.Follow Rosie over on Linkedin.Send us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.
Remy D.J. Wierenga - From embracing the 5 Human Performance Principles to the AI revolution - A conversation on the past, present, and future of the HSE field
May 23 2024
Remy D.J. Wierenga - From embracing the 5 Human Performance Principles to the AI revolution - A conversation on the past, present, and future of the HSE field
Today we have Remy Wierenga, Group Safety Director at Refresco as our guest and we dive deep into Human Performance Principles and how AI will become an increasingly powerful support tool in keeping people safe. And both for these make for a fascinating episode.Remy shares his insights on the evolution of safety practices, emphasising the significance of focusing on human and organisational performance, and the transition from a blame-focused culture where we set ourselves for failure if we frame the worker as the main control system, to one that seeks to understand and mitigate error through well-designed systems and controls.His experience demonstrates the critical role of leadership in fostering a safety culture that prioritises learning and improvement over blaming; recognising that human make mistakes and once we understand and accept that, things can change in the right direction.Remy specifically delves into the intricacies of incident investigation and the importance of separating error from event, advocating for a shift towards understanding the human element within organisational safety.He discusses the challenges of addressing safety with traditional methods that fail to accommodate human error, and the potential of technological advancements, such as AI and robotics, to significantly reduce incident rates by improving control systems.And these insights underscore a broader shift towards more adaptive, resilient safety measures that account for human variability, which is both our failing and our strength and uniqueness.The conversation also explores the future of safety in the workplace, considering the rapid advancements in technology and AI and how powerful this will be.Remy highlights the need for safety professionals to evolve their skill sets and embrace new methodologies that align with these changes; emphasising again learning and continuous improvement as key elements of safety management.He advocates for a more holistic, principled approach to safety that integrates human performance principles; wrapping the conversation up with thoughts on the importance of controls in managing risks effectively, pointing towards a future where safety management is deeply intertwined with technological innovation and human-centric design.Follow his journey on Linkedin.Send us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.
Graeme Lannigan - Continuously redefining and improving education “format” and “design” to achieve impactful safety training
May 16 2024
Graeme Lannigan - Continuously redefining and improving education “format” and “design” to achieve impactful safety training
In this engaging episode of the podcast, our host Mousa Yassin sits down with Graeme Lannigan, passionate about the field of safety learning and the Global HSSE Learning Manager at bp.The conversation this week focuses on a specific topic surrounding safety training and learning and is full of personal experiences, giving some great insights into the essential role of training as part of the general HSE space within an organisation. With a career spanning 20 years, starting as an apprentice seafarer at 16, Graeme shares his journey to becoming a pivotal figure in safety training. He discusses the evolution from traditional classroom settings to dynamic, technology-driven learning experiences that cater to the modern learner's demands for efficiency and engagement. The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities in e-learning, the power of immersive learning technologies, and the role of big data in shaping the future of safety training. Graeme shares his insightful perspectives on leadership, the importance of a people-first approach in safety, and offers valuable advice to aspiring HSE professionals. This episode not only highlights the transformative power of innovative learning technologies but also underscores the critical role of empathy, active listening, and genuine care in effective leadership and safety culture.Send us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.
Esil Mertoglu - Empowerment through safety initiatives: the intersection of Purpose, Inclusion, and Leadership in HSE
May 8 2024
Esil Mertoglu - Empowerment through safety initiatives: the intersection of Purpose, Inclusion, and Leadership in HSE
This week, Mousa Yassin talks with Esil Mertoglu, Senior EHS Manager at Adient, and explores her journey as an environmental health and safety leader. Esil's extensive experience spanning over 18 years in multinational manufacturing companies reflects her profound passion for advocating safety as well as championing diversity and inclusive initiatives, especially around women's rights. As a dedicated leader, Esil shares her insights on shaping strong leadership within the HSE community, emphasising the importance of leading with purpose and empowering individuals.We get to dive into Esil's career trajectory, uncovering pivotal moments that shaped her commitment to safety and the transformative changes she witnessed in the HSE domain over the years.Esil discusses the evolving landscape of health and safety, highlighting the shift towards a zero harm culture and the emphasis on proactive risk prevention and employee engagement.It also goes into the challenges faced by safety leaders in fostering a culture of care and effective communication to ensure employees' well-being and safety remain at the forefront of organisational priorities.Esil talks about the crucial role of leadership in integrating digital tools and technologies to enhance safety processes and drive continuous improvement, as well as underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion in safety practices, emphasising the need for inclusive approaches that engage all stakeholders and promote equity within the workplace.This episode encapsulates Esil's aspiration to influence organisational change, empower individuals, and foster a culture of safety and inclusivity in the pursuit of a safer and more sustainable future.Follow Esil's journey on Linkedin.Send us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.
Claus Rose - Diversity in thought and background, incident learning, and Industry collaboration to build better ehs practices
May 2 2024
Claus Rose - Diversity in thought and background, incident learning, and Industry collaboration to build better ehs practices
In this episode, we dive into the multifaceted world of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) with guest, Claus Rose, Senior Executive, EHS Separation Management Officer at GE Vernova.With over three decades of groundbreaking work, from his early days in the armed forces to leading initiatives in renewable energy, Claus shares his journey into becoming a visionary in the EHS realm. His work in spearheading the Global Wind Organisation and transforming safety practices showcases his deep commitment to advancing the field.\Claus underscores the vital importance of diversity of experience in EHS, the transformative power of learning from incidents, and the pivotal role of empathy in leadership. He also emphasises how hands-on experience and understanding front-line challenges not only build trust between leadership and operational staff but also drive more effective safety cultures.Claus advocates for simplifying safety procedures to prevent mistakes too, highlighting that complexity can be an adversary to safety and articulates the significance of collaboration within the industry on safety standards, as demonstrated through his involvement in the Global Wind Organisation. This collective approach to safety, leveraging shared knowledge and practices, underpins the advancement of safer working environments across sectors. The conversation illuminates the essence of continuous improvement, innovation in EHS, and the empowerment of front-line decision-making as key levers for enhancing safety and sustainability in organisations.Connect with Claus on Linkedin.Send us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.
Davide Scotti - Creating engaging health and safety leadership programs for mature hse cultures, and influence behaviour change, at work and at home.
Apr 25 2024
Davide Scotti - Creating engaging health and safety leadership programs for mature hse cultures, and influence behaviour change, at work and at home.
In this episode, host Mousa Yassin engages in an insightful conversation with Davide Scotti, Corporate Head of HSE Culture, Communication & Training at Saipem.Davide shares his journey from his early career beginnings in the oil and gas industry to becoming a pivotal figure in health and safety culture, within his organisation but also across Italy. Working for Saipem for over 18 years, he has been instrumental in evolving their safety culture through innovative programs that blend emotional engagement with effective leadership training, making Saipem a model for safety performance in the industry. Davide delves into the intricacies of the Leadership and Safety Program he helped develop, which is recognized for its unique approach to cultivating a mature safety culture within organisations. This program, marked by its strategic workshops and training sessions, emphasises emotional intelligence and behavioural change, aiming to transform organisational leaders into safety champions. Davide's passion extends beyond corporate borders as he discusses the influence of safety practices on broader societal well-being, underscoring the universal applicability of emotional and behavioural cues in safety leadership across different cultures. The episode wraps up with Davide reflecting on the global impact of safety leadership and offering valuable insights for leaders aspiring to integrate health and safety values into their management approach. He encourages embracing intrinsic values alongside extrinsic motivations, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration that transcends workplace boundaries to influence societal safety norms. Send us a message! If you like this podcast episode make sure to give it a follow to not miss upcoming episodes.-For more resources and updates, find us on LinkedInAnd connect with our host Mousa Yassin.