Author: Nicholas
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Complacency: The Silent Risk in Your Workplace
Complacency is one of the most persistent and least recognized risks in the modern workplace. Unlike a missing guard or an unprotected edge, it does not present itself as an obvious hazard. It develops gradually embedded in routine, reinforced by repetition, and often masked by experience. At its core, complacency is not a failure of Read more
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Optimizing Fleet Safety: Leveraging Technology and Leadership to Reduce Distracted Driving
Episode 311: In this episode, Nicholas Coia and Tim Brewster examine the growing crisis of distracted driving. They break down the visual, cognitive, and manual causes and share striking statistics and real-world examples that highlight how dangerous even brief distractions can be. They also explore practical solutions for fleets. These include hiring standards, clear policies, Read more
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Applying Systems Thinking to Safety
Episode 310: In this episode, host Nichloas Coia talks with Lori Fisher of the Systems Thinking Standard Institute about applying systems thinking (DSRP) to safety and health management. They explain the four core elements of systems thinking and the six practical moves organizations can use to uncover hidden structures, align perspectives, and turn broad safety Read more
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Cut the Safety Noise: Keep It Simple
Episode 309: When leaders prioritize safety over production and speed, employees follow procedures and report hazards. This episode emphasizes the “tone from the top” and the importance of clear, consistent leadership to drive real safety culture. Justin DeFlumeri, CEO of Optimal Safety Inspections, joined us to discuss keeping safety simple, engaging frontline workers with practical Read more
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๐ง ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ = ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก: ๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฒ
I recently spent time reading an article in Professional Safety Journal published by the American Society of Safety Professionals titled โRebuilding Safety Culture Through Contextual Leadership and Engagement.โ It reinforced something that many of us in the safety profession understand intellectually but sometimes struggle to operationalize: policies and programs, no matter how robust, cannot compensate Read more
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Servant Leadership in High-Risk Roles: Building Trust Not Orders
Episode 307: In this episode of the Safety Leadership Collective Podcast, Nic Coia, Mike Thompson, and Ralph Suppa from Cervitas Solutions explore servant leadership in safety roles. They discuss how trust, vulnerability, and leading by example strengthens teams, prevent incidents, and create value within organizations. Listeners will hear real stories from fire and special operations Read more
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Beyond Tired: Recognizing Burnout and Fatigue Before Safety Suffers
Episode 308: Fatigue and burnout arenโt just personal challengesโtheyโre workplace safety risks. Dr. Michael Atta and Dr. Xuan-Lan Griffith of Summa Health break down the key differences between the two and explain how each can quietly undermine safety, decision-making, and productivity. Through real workplace examples, they highlight what happens when warning signs are missed. This Read more
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๐ง STOP CHECKING THE BOX. START CHANGING THE CULTURE. ๐ง
Most safety training follows a script.Ours starts with a blank sheet of paper.Recently, we delivered a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training that looked very different from the typical slideshow-and-lecture format. We paired employees into small groups and asked them to draw what they believe workers should wear in their facility. Not what policy says.Not what Read more
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๐จ BIG NEWS in the Safety Podcast World ๐๏ธ๐ฅ
Iโm incredibly excited (and proud) to continue being part of this podcast journey as we officially rebrand the Portage County Safety Council podcast intoโฆโจ The Safety Leadership Collective Podcast โจ This evolution was earned.๐ 141 guests๐ข 107 organizations๐ง 303 episodesโฑ๏ธ 87 hours of content๐ Downloaded in 81+ countries What started as a local safety conversation Read more
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Mastering Impairment: Protecting Workers from Marijuana, Psychedelics, and More
Episode 305: In this episode, Chuck Marting, author of Mastering the Impairment Code, discusses how legalization of marijuana and psychedelics, increasing medical treatments like ketamine, and evolving workplace policies affect safety and impairment. He shares real examples from law enforcement and employers to show why testing, supervisor training, and compassionate intervention can prevent accidents and Read more