The Safety Leadership Collective

Listening for a Change: How Leaders Build Trust and Influence

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:42:20 -0500

Episode 313: In this episode of the Safety Leadership Collective, Merle Heckman joins hosts Nicholas Coia and Mike Thompson to discuss the overlooked art of listening and how it shapes leadership, safety culture, and trust. Merle shares practical techniques—asking questions, pausing, and putting ego aside—to influence others and create real change.

They explore examples from sports, business, and frontline work, and end with a simple call to action: practice focused listening for one week to begin building stronger connections at work and home.

Connect with Merle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merleheckman/

For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Eyes on the Road: Confronting the Distracted Driving Crisis

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:37:58 -0500

Episode 312: This explores the alarming rise in distracted driving—over 3,200 deaths and 315,000 serious injuries in 2024—and discusses practical steps employers and drivers can take to prevent crashes.

Host Nicholas Coia and guest Tracy LeMaire from the National Safety Council share data, real-world examples, policy and training solutions, and free resources to help organizations protect employees on and off the road.

For more information about the National Safety Council, please visit their website at: https://www.nsc.org/

For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Optimizing Fleet Safety: Leveraging Technology and Leadership to Reduce Distracted Driving

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:43:53 -0500

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, targeted training, telematics, video-based cameras, and AI alerts. The discussion emphasizes the importance of coaching, leadership commitment, and building a safety-focused culture to reduce crashes and protect both drivers and the public.

Listeners will leave with actionable steps to improve driver safety. The episode also provides resources for Distracted Driving Month and practical tips for using data to coach drivers, support accountability, and reinforce safe driving habits.

Resources for Distracted Driving Awareness Month:

Distracted Driving Awareness Month - National Safety Council: https://www.nsc.org/road/distracted-driving-awareness-month
Distracted Driving Dangers and Statistics | NHTSA: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
Distracted Driving for Employers- National Safety Council: https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/distracted-driving/distracted-driving-for-employers

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-brewster-mba-arm-23233379/

For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Applying Systems Thinking to Safety

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:00:49 -0500

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 statements into measurable systems.

The conversation includes real-world examples, implementation tips (like the is/is-not list), and resources for getting started, including the SCSI Basecamp and Lori’s contact information for workshops and further guidance.

Connect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorigfisher/

To learn more about the Systems Thinking Standard Institute, check out their website at: https://www.stsi.pro/

To learn more about PLS Management Consulting, check out their website at: https://www.purposeleapsurge.com/

For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Cut the Safety Noise: Keep It Simple

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:24:37 -0500

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 activities like "find it, fix it," and using measurable actions to turn employee feedback into faster, lasting safety improvements.

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-deflumeri-ms-5271a7b8/

To learn more about Optimal Safety Inspections, check out their website at: https://www.optimalsafetyinspections.com/

For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Beyond Tired: Recognizing Burnout and Fatigue Before Safety Suffers

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:09:41 -0500

Episode 308: Fatigue and burnout aren’t just personal challenges—they’re 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 episode delivers practical steps for employees, leaders, and organizations to recognize risks early, improve communication, strengthen culture, and implement policies that safeguard both people and performance.

To learn more about Summa Health, please visit their website at: https://www.summahealth.org/

For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Servant Leadership in High-Risk Roles: Building Trust Not Orders

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:27:54 -0500

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 experience, practical steps for middle managers and frontline leaders, and a clear call to build trust as the foundation of effective safety leadership.

To learn more about Cervitas, please visit their website at: https://www.cervitas.com/

For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn: How Trauma Shapes Behavior at Work

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 20:11:35 -0500

Episode 306: Clinical therapist and Mental Wealth Consultant, Kelly Younkins, explains how trauma and stress responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—show up at work, why these reactions depend on individual capacity more than the event itself, and how they drive burnout and disengagement.

The episode offers simple, practical guidance for leaders and coworkers: be curious and compassionate, invest time in regular check-ins and mental health checkups, use EAPs proactively, and adopt language and behaviors that create psychological safety and improve performance.

To learn more about Kelly, please visit her website at: https://www.kellyyounkinsclinicalconsultant.com/

For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Mastering Impairment: Protecting Workers from Marijuana, Psychedelics, and More

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 18:36:30 -0500

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 help employees get treatment.

To learn more about Chuck, please visit his website at: https://www.chuckmarting.com/

For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Introducing The Safety Leadership Collective: Our Podcast Relaunch and Rebrand

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:54:06 -0500

Episode 304: Join the Portage County Safety Council as they relaunch the podcast under the new Safety Leadership Collective brand. After humble beginnings in 2017 and 2018, the show has grown to 303 episodes, 141 experts, over 87 hours of content, and listeners in more than 81 nations.

This episode outlines the relaunch goals for 2026, the focus on safety, leadership, and well-being, and invites safety professionals and listeners to join the collective and share expertise.

For more information, please visit our podcast webpage at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/podcasts/

For more information on the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

From Prisons to Boardrooms: Values That Transform Organizations

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 10:31:01 -0500

Episode 303: Bernie Torrance, the International Director of the La Red Business Network and Founder of Global Priority Solutions, joined us to talk about values-based leadership and the roundtable model that transformed prisons, courts, and workplaces across Latin America and the U.S., cutting violence and turnover dramatically.

Bernie explains how short, weekly roundtables build trust, create measurable behavior change with simple action steps, and deliver real business results — including a documented $1 million improvement in one year.

Check out some of the organizations that Bernie mentioned in the interview:

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

2025 NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:50:41 -0500

Episode 302: Ruth Bowdish of On Demand Occupational Medicine and Dave Constantino joined us to chat about the 2025 NE Ohio Safety Expo! This event will take place on Thursday, September 25, 2025, 9am-4pm, at the Holiday Inn in Boardman, OH.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on the 2025 NE Ohio Safety Epo, visit the website at: https://ondemandoccupationalmedicine.com/neo-ohio-safety-expo/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC25 Preview] Psychosocial Hazards – The Silent Killer

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 23:55:02 -0500

Episode 301: Martin Franchi & Shelly Meadows, Co-Founders of Navigation Consulting & Training, joined us to talk about the importance of mental health and psychological safety at work. They will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To learn more about Martin & Shelly, visit their website at: https://navct.ca/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC25 Preview] Influencing Without Direct Authority

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 12:17:17 -0500

Episode 300: Merle Heckman, a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, joined us to talk about the importance of relationships when it comes to leadership & safety. He will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To learn more about Merle, visit his LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merleheckman/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC25 Preview] Why Transportation Safety Matters in the Workplace

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 15:47:49 -0500

Episode 299: Tracy LeMaire, Mobility Safety Program Manager at the National Safety Council, joined us to talk about the importance of transportation safety at work. She will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To learn more about Tracy, visit her LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-lemaire-2625b6a/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC25 Preview] Buried Alive: A Trench Collapse Survivor’s Lessons

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 15:40:41 -0500

Episode 298: Joe Tantarelli, owner of Trinity Safety Consulting, joined us to share about what he learned from surviving a tragic trench collapse. He will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To learn more about Joe, visit his LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-tantarelli-232a812a/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC25 Preview] Lithium-Ion Battery Emergencies

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:45:14 -0500

Episode 297: Nick Zamiska, President & Senior Instructor at Bad Day Training & Consulting, joined us to chat about Lithium-ion battery emergencies. He will be presenting on this topic at the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress in April at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To learn more about Nick, visit his website at: https://baddaytraining.com/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC25 Preview] Leading the Charge: It’s more than OSHA knowledge!

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 15:29:07 -0500

Episode 296: Dianne Grote Adams, President of Safex, Inc., joined us to provide a preview of her 2025 Ohio Safety Congress presentation entitled, Leading the Charge: It’s more than OSHA knowledge!

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To learn more about Dianne, visit her website at: https://www.safex.us/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC25 Preview] Emotionally Healthy Leader

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 13:39:36 -0500

Episode 295: Gary Fowler, Executive Coach at Orange Diamond Safety, joined us to provide a preview of his 2025 Ohio Safety Congress presentation entitled, Emotionally Healthy Leader.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To learn more about Gary, visit his website at: https://www.thegaryfowler.com/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC25 Preview] Self-Care Training

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:21:06 -0500

Episode 294: Steven Click, Director at the Ohio Office of First Responder Wellness, joined us to provide a preview of his 2025 Ohio Safety Congress presentation.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC25, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To learn more about Steven and his program, visit its website at: https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/what-we-do/our-programs/office-of-first-responder-wellness

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Turning Challenges Into Success: How KEP is Refocusing on Safety to Strengthen Their Programs

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 19:52:30 -0500

Episode 293: In this episode, Renee Onesti from Ken Elastomer Products joined us to discuss effective strategies for maintaining a sustainable safety program in the manufacturing industry.

Renee shares her extensive experience, spanning over 25 years, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing safety as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time achievement. She highlights the significance of updating safety documents, job descriptions, and equipment modifications to keep up with changes in the business environment.

The conversation also delves into the challenges posed by employee turnover and the need for continuous training and enthusiasm to maintain a strong safety culture. Renee offers practical advice and encourages leveraging resources like the BWC and the Safety Council for support and knowledge sharing.

Join us for an insightful discussion on how to overcome common safety challenges and ensure a safe and productive workplace. Don't miss out on Renee's valuable tips and success stories!

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

How Miller Transfer & Rigging Reduced Accidents By 40% In One Year!

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 11:56:09 -0500

Episode 292: In this episode, Nick Coia from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation is joined by Diane Conner, Safety Manager at Miller Transfer and Rigging, and the 2024 Safety Improvement Award winner.

Diane shares her journey of transforming the safety culture at Miller Transfer and Rigging over the past two years. Learn about her strategies for building a collaborative and accountable safety department, which led to significant improvements in preventable accidents and SC&RA scores.

Discover Diane's approach to effective communication with a diverse fleet, the importance of interpersonal relationships, and the use of technology to share best practices and training. This episode is packed with valuable insights for safety professionals looking to enhance their programs.

Join us as we delve into the key elements of a successful safety program and get actionable advice on building strong relationships with your team. Don't miss this inspiring conversation!

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Safety in Action: Keeping Employees Engaged in Safety Culture

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 14:52:56 -0500

Episode 291: In this episode, we dive into the concept of "Safety in Action" with Matt Mohler, the EHS Manager at Delta Systems in Streetsboro, OH. Matt shares his extensive experience as a safety manager and the journey of fostering a proactive safety culture in the workplace.

Matt discusses the importance of engaging employees, making safety a visible priority, and ensuring everyone understands their role in maintaining a safe environment. He emphasizes the significance of transparency, regular training, and promoting safety practices that extend beyond the workplace.

Tune in to learn practical strategies for improving safety culture, from effective communication and personal engagement to the implementation of comprehensive safety programs. Discover how a commitment to safety can positively impact both employees' work and personal lives.

Join us for an insightful conversation on building a safety culture that not only meets compliance standards but also prioritizes the well-being of every worker.

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

Find It, Fix It: How Pyrotek Fixed over 250 Safety Issues in 9 Months!

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 17:05:19 -0500

Episode 290: In this episode, Mike is joined by Kim and George from Pyrotech in Aurora, Ohio, to discuss their innovative safety program, "Find It, Fix It."

Kim Chmelarsky, the safety officer at Pyrotech, and George McSears, the manufacturing manager, share their journey of transforming workplace safety. Discover how they skyrocketed employee participation from 5% to 70% in just nine months and resolved over 250 safety issues.

Learn about the program's origins, the steps involved, and the incredible impact it has had on their safety culture. Find out how Pyrotech's approach empowers employees, reduces maintenance costs, and fosters a competitive yet collaborative environment.

Get inspired by their story and see how you can implement similar strategies in your own organization to enhance safety and employee engagement.

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[Community Spotlight] Solar Eclipse Safety Tips

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 17:13:10 -0500

Episode 289: Did you know that 300,000 people are expected to be in Portage County, OH, for the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th, 2024? Local emergency management professionals are expecting more traffic and potential cell phone disruptions.

McKenzie Villatoro, the EM Specialist and LEPC Information Coordinator for the Portage County EMA, joined us to chat about the solar eclipse and share some safety tips to keep in mind for this once in a lifetime event.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

Connect with Portage Prepares on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/PortagePrepares

Connect with Portage Prepares on X (Twitter) at: https://twitter.com/PortagePrep

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC24 Preview] New Drug Trends Threatening Ohio's Workplaces

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 15:38:52 -0500

Episode 288: Allison Sharer, Senior Consultant at Working Partners, and Katie Szumigala, Training Coordinator at Safex, joined us to talk about new drug trends threatening Ohio's workplaces and give us a preview of their 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC24, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To contact Allison, visit Working Partners website at: https://www.workingpartners.com/

To contact Katie, visit Safex's website at: https://www.safex.us/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC24 Preview] Public Speaking Tips and Tricks

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 15:21:31 -0500

Episode 287: Public speaking is one of the biggest fears of safety professionals. Rachel Ippolito of Rippolito Strategies joined us to give a few tips & tricks and provide a preview of her 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC24, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To learn more about Rachel, check out the Rippolito Strategies website at: https://www.rippolitostrategies.com/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC24 Preview] The First Response to Human Trafficking

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 15:15:13 -0500

Episode 286: Thomas Beers is the EMS Program Manager for the Cleveland Clinic and a Full-time Firefighter/Fire Investigator in Cleveland Heights. He joined us on our podcast to give us a preview of his 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, The First Response to Human Trafficking.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC24, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

You can connect with Thomas on Twitter (X) at: https://twitter.com/OneTallMedic

Visit the Cleveland Clinic Emergency Medical Services Education website at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/ems

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC24 Preview] Effective Written Communication in the Workplace

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 11:21:11 -0500

Episode 285: Tommie Jo Brode is the President of Venice Solutions Group LLC, a practicing lawyer and business consultant. She joined us on our podcast to give us a preview of her 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Effective Written Communication in the Workplace.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC24, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To contact Tommie Jo, please visit Venice Solutions Group's website at: https://venicesolutionsgroup.com/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC24 Preview] Confronting Difficult Underperformers

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 07:27:23 -0500

Episode 284: Randy Anderson is the co-founder of E3 Professional Trainers, LLC. He joined us on our podcast to give us a preview of his 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Confronting Difficult Underperformers.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC24, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To learn more about Randy, check out the E3 Professional Trainers website at: https://e3professionaltrainers.com/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC24 Preview] Stretching for the Industrial Athlete

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 11:13:31 -0500

Episode 283: What is the importance of stretching for workers in the industrial or construction setting? What are the types of stretching? Taylor Anderson, an HSE Consultant at Safex in Columbus, OH, joined us on the podcast to answer these questions and give us a preview of her 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Stretching for the Industrial Athlete.

Now available on your favorite podcast app!

For more info on OSC24, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To contact Taylor, visit Safex's website at: https://www.safex.us/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC24 Preview] How to Deal with Difficult People

Sat, 13 Jan 2024 18:52:28 -0500

Episode 282: In this interview, Matt Lis, President of RM Leadership Group LLC (Crestcom), gives us a preview of his 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, How to Deal with Difficult People.

For more info on OSC24, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

For more information about Matt, visit his website at: https://crestcom.com/leadership-trainer/matt-lis/

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

[OSC24 Preview] Overlooked to Influential: Dale Carnegie’s Guide

Sat, 06 Jan 2024 20:54:49 -0500

Episode 281: Merle Heckman, Ph.D., is the Chief Culture Officer and a Master Trainer at the Dale Carnegie Training of the Heartland. He joined us on our podcast to give us a preview of his 2024 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Overlooked to Influential: Dale Carnegie's Guide.

For more info on OSC24, visit the website at: https://www.ohiosafetycongress.com/

To contact Merle, you can email him at: merle.heckman@dalecarnegie.com

For more information about the PCSC, visit their website at: https://portagecountysafetycouncil.com/

3 Keys to Diffusing Angry Employees

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 21:36:46 -0500

Episode 280: In this interview, Mike Thompson and Nicholas Coia discuss how to diffuse angry or contentious employees through power, choice and future orientation.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

How to Evaluate Your Training Programs

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 15:22:32 -0500

Episode 279: Dr. Drew Hinton, President & CEO of Arrow Safety, LLC, joined us to talk about how to evaluate and improve your safety training programs.

https://arrowsafetyus.com/

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Program Information

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:41:31 -0500

Episode 278: In this episode, we provide new, current & prospective members an overview of the Portage County Safety Council, the corresponding Ohio BWC workers’ compensation premium rebate, and other related program information.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC23 Preview] Positive Psychology: The Science of Being Happy

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 14:51:20 -0500

Episode 277: Ruth Bowdish, Managing Director at On Demand Occupational Medicine, says that "employees are becoming more prone to experiencing symptoms related to disengagement, fatigue, burnout, and an overall mental distress" which costs us when it comes to safety. She joined us on Zoom to share her insight and give us a preview of her 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Positive Psychology: The Science of Being Happy.

For more info on OSC23, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC23 Preview] Thrive in the Age of Disruption – Cultivate Peak Performance

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:55:08 -0500

Episode 276: Author & speaker, Mike Evans, says that "change is constant as business, technology, and society itself continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace." He joined us on Zoom to talk about how we can shape our safety culture and give us a preview of his 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Thrive in the Age of Disruption – Cultivate Peak Performance.

For more info on OSC23, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com.

For more information about Mike, visit his website at realmikeevans.com.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC23 Preview] The Buried Truth Uncovered

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 13:48:09 -0500

Episode 275: Eric Giguere was working on a sewer line project when the 6ft trench collapsed on top of him, nearly costing him his life and so much more! He joined us on Zoom to share his story and give us a preview of his 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, The Buried Truth Uncovered.

For more info on OSC23, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com.

For more information about Eric, visit his website at www.safetyawarenesssolutions.com.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC23 Preview] Safety in a Production Driven World

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 17:54:07 -0500

Episode 274: Having years of experience on both sides, Renee Onesti, Director of Operations at Kent Elastomer Products, understands how to bridge the gap between safety & production! She joined us on Zoom to share her insight and give us a preview of her 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Safety in a Production Driven World.

For more info on OSC23, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC23 Preview] Stress and Healing the Human Brain

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:32:42 -0500

Episode 273: A speaker, lawyer & HR consultant by trade, Scott Warrick overcame PTSD and OCD by learning how to heal his brain through neuroscience. He joined us on Zoom to share his story and give us a preview of his 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Stress and Healing the Human Brain.

For more info on OSC23, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com.

For more information about Scott, visit his website at www.scottwarrick.com.

Check out his book, Healing the Human Brain, on Amazon.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Disclaimer: this episode is for informational purposes only, please consult with the appropriate health professionals before implementing any suggested strategy. Listener discretion is advised.

[OSC23 Preview] Believe in Safety

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 13:26:19 -0500

Episode 272: Brandon Schroeder survived a nearly fatal ARC flash accident that changed his life forever. He joined us on Zoom to share his story and give us a preview of his 2023 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Believe in Safety.

For more info on OSC23, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com.

For more information about Brandon, visit his website at www.believeinsafety.com.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

OSHA Recordkeeping Tips

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 12:18:00 -0500

Episode 271: We caught up with Cari Gary, Safety Consultant Specialist at the Ohio BWC, for a post-presentation interview after this month's workplace safety luncheon. Cari did a great job as always, presenting on OSHA Recordkeeping.

Click here to view a printable copy of her slides.

Click here to view the handout form the luncheon.

Click here to view a Zoom recording of a training she completed with another safety council.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Risk Assessment or Hazard Assessment?

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 270: We caught up with Mark Eitzman, Safety and Project Manager at Integrated Mill Systems, for a post-presentation interview after this month's workplace safety luncheon. Mark did a great job as always, presenting on Staying Safe Around Automation.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Community Spotlight] US Safety Gear Opens in Streetsboro

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 13:45:13 -0500

Episode 269: One of our sponsors, US Safety Gear, hosted a grand opening for their new retail store in Streetsboro, OH. We were honored to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony with two other safety council members! Afterwards, we caught up with Niki Leeworthy, their Territory Sales Rep, to learn more about what they do.

www.ussafetygear.com

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Creating Space for Employees to Share Their Insight

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Episode 268: Laurin Mooney, Founder & Innovator of Speaking IN, joined us to talk about how to create space for employees to share their wealth of insight and why leaders should embrace it.

https://speakingin.podia.com/

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

The Need for Leadership in Safety & Beyond!

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 14:08:28 -0500

Episode 267: Kevin Mowers, President of Crestcom-Extended Management, Inc., joined us to talk about the need for leadership in safety and beyond!

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Episode 266: David Costantino, co-founder of the annual NE Ohio Safety Expo, joined us to talk about the event which will take place on Thursday, October 2022, at the Eastwood Event Centre in Niles, OH.

Click here for more info on the NE Ohio Safety Expo.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] Are Transitional Work Programs Really Worth the Effort?

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 265: Shanna Dunbar, President at Workplace Health Inc., joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, Are Transitional Work Programs Really Worth the Effort?

Click here for more info on the NE Ohio Safety Expo.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] How to Reduce Complacency & Inspire Safety Excellence

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 264: Cari Gray, Industrial Safety Consultant at the Ohio BWC, joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, How to Reduce Complacency & Inspire Safety Excellence.

Click here for more info on the NE Ohio Safety Expo.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] Confined Space Identification and Hazards

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 263: Jennifer Wasilk, owner of Sandstone EHS Services, LLC joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, Confined Space Identification and Hazards.

Click here for more info on the NE Ohio Safety Expo.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] Lockout Tagout

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 14:13:22 -0500

Episode 262: Brian Zachetti, Industrial Safety Consultant Specialist at the Ohio BWC, joined us to talk about his 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation on Lockout/Tagout.

Click here for more info on the NE Ohio Safety Expo.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] Workers’ Compensation 101 – Basics from a MCO Perspective

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 09:48:17 -0500

Episode 261: Cheryl Altizer, Account Executive at Promedica Medical Management, joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, Workers’ Compensation 101 – Basics from a MCO prospective.

Click here for more info on the NE Ohio Safety Expo.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Construction Life 365: Bringing Connection & Camaraderie Back to Construction

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 15:38:15 -0500

Episode 260: Jarrod Tomassi, President & Founder of Construction Life 365, joined us to talk about how he's helping to restore meaning, connection & camaraderie back to the construction industry!

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Community Spotlight] Portage County Becomes StormReady

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 259: Brett Lee, Deputy Director of the Portage County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, joined us to talk about the county's recent StormReady designation, tornadoes & more!

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Safety Blast] Diminished Hearing Protection Standard

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 258: Nicholas Coia, Industrial Safety Consultant from the Ohio BWC, answers the question of the month regarding whether or not workers with diminished hearing still need to wear hearing protection.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

2022-23 Rebate Program Information

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:52:01 -0500

Episode 257: In this live information session, we covered the details of the FY23 rebate qualifications, outlined the upcoming safety education programming and shared how to become a Portage County Safety Council member. Click here to join today!

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Driving Safety Forward with Kindness (Live)

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 256: Bryan McWhorter, Lead Safety Advisor for Safeopedia, presented to our safety council on how valuing people can improve your safety performance. Bryan is also a noted speaker and the author of several books on various topics including Lean, workplace safety and more. Check out his author's page on Amazon for more info.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Community Spotlight] Portage Development Board

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 255: Brad Ehrhart, President of the Portage Development Board, shares about the economic development work they're doing and how they can help companies locate, stay & grow in Portage County!

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Making Safety Personal

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Episode 254: Safety compliance can often fall short because the messaging is too broad or the communications from management are not relevant or relatable to employees. In this excerpt from episode 253, Nicholas Coia, Industrial Safety Consultant from the Ohio BWC, talks about how employers can improve compliance by making safety personal.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

How to Talk to Employees About Stress

Tue, 31 May 2022 15:08:59 -0500

Episode 253: Since the beginning of the pandemic, stress has been at an all time high. In this interview from November 2020, Luci Payne and Barb Furst of IMPACT Solutions EAP joined us to discuss how we can talk to employees about stress. Click here to watch the video.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

How to Prevent Compassion Fatigue & Employee Burnout

Mon, 23 May 2022 06:46:00 -0500

Episode 252: From compassion fatigue to burnout, Barbare Rubel, keynote speaker and Executive Director at the Griefwork Center, shares with us how employers can use her FABULOUS model to prevent these and more.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Leading vs. Lagging Indicators

Mon, 16 May 2022 05:00:00 -0500

Episode 251: Justin Deflumeri, MS, GSP, Owner of Optimal Safety Inspections, joined us to chat about leading vs.lagging indicators. Justin also shares fun stories on how he often makes safety fun and more engaging.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Let’s Talk About Suicide

Mon, 09 May 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 250: Katie Cretella, Director of Clinical Services, Trumbull County Mental Health & Recovery Board, joined us to talk about suicide for Mental Health Awareness Month.

Free Mental Health Awareness Campaign resources are now available! Click here to download the free campaign poster (11x17).

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Let’s Talk About PTSD

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 14:06:00 -0500

Episode 249: Kelly Younkins, a Clinical Consultant and a Clinical Supervisor for Family & Community Services, Inc., joined us to talk about PTSD for Mental Health Awareness Month.

Free Mental Health Awareness Campaign resources are now available! Click here to download the free campaign poster (11x17).

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Please note: this interview was recorded on March 10, 2022.

Let’s Talk About Anxiety

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 14:07:01 -0500

Episode 248: Kelly Younkins, a Clinical Consultant and a Clinical Supervisor for Family & Community Services, Inc., joined us to talk about anxiety for Mental Health Awareness Month.

Free Mental Health Awareness Campaign resources are now available! Click here to download the free campaign poster (11x17).

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Please note: this interview was recorded on March 3, 2022.

Let’s Talk About Depression

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 11:09:26 -0500

Episode 247: Kelly Younkins, a Clinical Consultant and a Clinical Supervisor for Family & Community Services, Inc., joined us to talk about depression for Mental Health Awareness Month.

Free Mental Health Awareness Campaign resources are now available! Click here to download the free campaign poster (11x17).

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Please note: this interview was recorded on February 24, 2022.

Mental Health Checkups

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 11:05:09 -0500

Episode 246: Most of us complete an annual checkup with our family doctor as a preventative measure for our physical health but how many of us do the same for our mental health? Clinical Consultant, Kelly Younkins, shares her idea of annual "mental health checkups" that could revolutionize the mental health industry!

Free Mental Health Awareness Campaign resources are now available! Click here to download the free campaign poster (11x17).

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Please note: this interview was recorded on March 17, 2022.

[Powered Industrial Trucks] Aftermarket Safety Enhancements (Live)

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 245: Have you looked into aftermarket enhancements to help improve safety at your facility but aren't sure where to start? Matt Mohler, Director of Facilities & EHS Manager at Delta Systems, Inc., in Streetsboro, OH, highlights a few products that you may want to consider. This is an excerpt from episode 242, click here to listen to his full presentation. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

What OSHA Considers a Powered Industrial Truck (Live)

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 244: Is a motorized pallet jack considered a powered industrial truck? How about a tractor? Matt Mohler, Director of Facilities & EHS Manager at Delta Systems, Inc., in Streetsboro, OH, presents on how OSHA defines a P.I.T. This is an excerpt from episode 242, click here to listen to his full presentation. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Powered Industrial Trucks] OSHA Training Requirements (Live)

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 243: Matt Mohler, Director of Facilities & EHS Manager at Delta Systems, Inc., in Streetsboro, OH, presents on OSHA training requirements for powered industrial trucks. This is an excerpt from episode 242, click here to listen to his full presentation. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Powered Industrial Trucks: OSHA Basics & Aftermarket Safety Enhancements (Live)

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 242: In his presentation to our safety council, Matt Mohler, Director of Facilities & EHS Manager at Delta Systems, Inc., in Streetsboro, OH, defined what OSHA considers a "powered industrial truck," covered training requirements and highlighted aftermarket safety enhancements. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Ohio Safety Congress 2022

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 241: Nicholas Coia, Industrial Safety Consultant at the Ohio BWC, gives us a brief overview of the largest free workplace safety event in the country! For more info on OSC22, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC22 Preview] Ohio EPA’s Regulations – What You Need to Know to Stay Out of Trouble

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 10:31:28 -0500

Episode 240: Dan Sowry, Assistant Environmental Administrator at the Ohio EPA, joined us on Zoom to give us a preview of his 2022 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Ohio EPA’s Regulations – What You Need to Know to Stay Out of Trouble. For more info on OSC22, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC22 Preview] Managers and Supervisors as EHS Leaders - Safety is Everyone’s Job

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 13:52:49 -0500

Episode 239: Dianne Grote Adams, President & Owner of Safex, Inc, an Ohio-based occupational safety & industrial hygiene consulting firm, joined us on Zoom to give us a preview of her 2022 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Managers and Supervisors as EHS Leaders - Safety is Everyone's Job! For more info on OSC22, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC22 Preview] The Pending Labor Shortage of 2010 is Here. Now What?

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 12:34:59 -0500

Episode 238: Tom Mobley, Assistant Professor of Organization Leadership & Human Resources at the University of Cincinnati and the owner of Mobley HR Consulting, stopped by to give us a preview of his 2022 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, The Pending Labor Shortage of 2010 is Here. Now What? For more info on OSC22, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC22 Preview] Master the Art of Conflict - for Safety’s Sake!

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 18:13:52 -0500

Episode 237: Leadership & team development consultant, Karen Valencic, Founder of Spiral Impact and author of The Black Belt Edition of Spiral Impact: The Power to Get It Done with Grace, stopped by to give us a preview of her 2022 Ohio Safety Congress presentation titled, Master the Art of Conflict - for Safety's Sake! For more info on OSC22, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC22 Preview] Driving Safety Forward with Kindness

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:18:40 -0500

Episode 236: Bryan McWhorter & Scott Cuthbert of Safeopedia stopped by to give us a preview of their 2022 Ohio Safety Congress presentation on Driving Safety Forward with Kindness! For more info on OSC22, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC22 Preview] Are You Ready to Lead Safety Differently?

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 17:40:14 -0500

Episode 235: Pamela Walaski, Senior Program Director at Specialty Technical Consultants Inc., stopped by to give us a preview of her 2022 Ohio Safety Congress presentation on safety leadership titled, Are You Ready to Lead Safety Differently? For more info on OSC22, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC22 Preview] Work Fatigue and Burnout: Why Exhaustion in the Workplace is Different

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 20:08:26 -0500

Episode 234: Emil Kresl, Director of Learning and Development at The University of Texas at Austin, joined us to give us a preview of his 2022 Ohio Safety Congress presentation on burnout & fatigue in the workplace! For more info on OSC22, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

How to Reduce the Effects of Sedentary Work

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:45:57 -0500

Episode 233: Physical Therapist, Dr. Stefan Zavalin, Founder of Love to Move and author of Sit Less: Evolve Your Work and Life Without Compromising Your Health, joined us to talk about how to reduce the effects of sedentary work. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[OSC22 Preview] Maximizing Employee Engagement

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 08:00:00 -0500

Episode 232: Bob Bethel, VP of HR & Learning Services at The Employers' Association, joined us to give us a preview of his 2022 Ohio Safety Congress presentation on maximizing employee engagement! For more info on OSC22, visit www.ohiosafetycongress.com. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Keys to Staying Fit (Live)

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 13:17:00 -0500

Episode 231: Leslee Keegan of I'm Power Fitness Center in Ravenna, OH, presented to our safety council on how to incorporate exercise into our daily lives at work & home. She also answered several questions from our members. Check out her Facebook page for more info today! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Workplace Wellness] Fitting in Fitness

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 17:37:21 -0500

Episode 230: Chase Leonelli, Wellness Manager for Sequoia Wellness at NEOMED in Rootstown, OH, joined us to talk about how to fit fitness in our every day lives. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Workplace Wellness] Keep Moving!

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 13:46:29 -0500

Episode 229: Leslee Keegan of I'm Power Fitness Center in Ravenna, OH, joined us to talk about how to improve your health & longevity for both your personal & professional life. Check out her Facebook page for more info today! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Top 10 OSHA Violations in 2021

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 14:45:43 -0500

Episode 228: Nicholas Coia, Industrial Safety Consultant at the Ohio BWC, joins us to talk about the top 10 "serious" and "willful" OSHA violations in 2021. Click here to watch the video. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

When to Know You Need Help

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 19:11:08 -0500

Episode 227: Jennifer Parmenter, Clinical Counseling Supervisor at Family & Community Services, Inc., in Kent, OH, joined us to talk about how stress is affecting us since the pandemic. She also gives us advice on when to know we need help beyond self-care and our personal support systems. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Community Spotlight] Streetsboro is on the Rise

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 16:19:53 -0500

Episode 226: Mayor Glenn Broska and Coach Jim Lovejoy joined us to chat about the revitalization of the City of Streetsboro and the community coming together for the sake of legacy. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Community Spotlight] Main Street Mile in Ravenna

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0500

Episode 225: Chelsea Gregor of Main Street Ravenna joined us to talk about the new Main Street Mile project in Ravenna, OH. We discuss how she came up with the idea, future use and how other communities can do something similar. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today

Finding Facts, Not Faults: How to Improve Safety After an Injury (Live)

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0500

Episode 224: Nicholas Coia, Industrial Safety Consultant for the Ohio BWC, presents on Finding Facts, Not Faults: How to Improve Safety After an Injury. Click here to watch the video. Click here to view the slides or here for the handout mentioned. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today

[Workplace Wellness] Prediabetes Prevention

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0500

Episode 223: According to the Cleveland Clinic, "more than 84% of those with prediabetes don’t even know they have it since prediabetes often has no symptoms." In this episode, we're joined by Nicole Smith, Diabetes Program Consultant, & Liz Curry, Diabetes Coordinator at the Ohio Department of Health, to talk about prediabetes and why employers should be concerned about it.. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today

[Health Talk] Stroke Awareness

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 14:10:43 -0500

Episode 222: University Hospitals Portage Medical Center briefly shared about strokes at one of our virtual meetings for Stroke Awareness Month. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today

Overcoming Stress at Work & Beyond!

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 22:50:58 -0500

Episode 221: Clinical Consultant Kelly Bako Younkins, joined us to talk stress at work and beyond! Click here to view the video recording. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today

How to Build a Winning Culture (Live)

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 11:27:57 -0500

Episode 220: Matt Campbell, Head Football Coach at Iowa State University, presents live to our safety council on how to create a winning culture! Click here to view the video recording. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today

Fleet Safety Q & A

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 13:55:01 -0500

Episode 219: Timothy Brewster, Director of the Loss Prevention & Recovery Unit at National Interstate Insurance Company, answers questions after his presentation on Reducing the Risk of Accidents Through Effective Fleet Safety Controls. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Noise Hazards

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 17:54:55 -0500

Episode 218: In this follow up interview, Marissa Scott, Industrial Hygiene Consultant at Safex, chats with us about noise hazards, ototoxins, sound level apps and more! Click here to watch a video of the Zoom call. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Top 10 Most Costly Workplace Injuries 2021

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Episode 217: Did you know that the top 10 disabling workplace injuries cost employers over $58 billion every year? In this episode, we cover those top 10 injuries according to Liberty Mutual Insurance’s 2021 Workplace Safety Index report and chat about what you can do to prevent them. Click here to watch the video. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Safety Culture] Inconsistency Kills Progress

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 15:35:06 -0500

Episode 216: Ami Gignac & Katie Woodhall, Managing Partners at Sparrow Tale management consulting, chat with us on how consistency can make or break the development of your safety culture! This is an excerpt from e175, click here to listen to the full interview. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Suicide Prevention Stand Down

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 11:04:24 -0500

Episode 215: In accordance with OSHA's Suicide Prevention Stand Down Week – September 6-10, 2021, we made this episode to increase awareness & prevention of suicide at work. Click here to view the video. Click here for more info on how to prevent suicides in construction. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Safety Considerations for Robots in Manufacturing (Live)

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 214: Mark Eitzman, Safety and Project Manager at Integrated Mill Systems, presents live on robot safety at one of our recent virtual meetings. Click here for the Power Point. Click here to view the video recording. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Reducing the Risk of Accidents Through Effective Fleet Safety Controls (Live)

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 10:39:03 -0500

Episode 213: Timothy Brewster, Director of Loss Prevention & Recovery Unit at National Interstate Insurance Company presents on fleet safety at our May 27, 2021, virtual meeting. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Q & A] Robot Safety

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 13:19:07 -0500

Episode 212: Mark Eitzman, Safety and Project Manager at Integrated Mill Systems, answers questions after his presentation on Safety Considerations for Robots in Manufacturing. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Safety Culture] Include Soft Skills in Your Training

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 12:36:21 -0500

Episode 211: Ami Gignac & Katie Woodhall, Managing Partners at Sparrow Tale, chat with us about how training your staff in soft skills can improve your safety culture in the long-run! This is an excerpt from e175, click here to listen to the full interview. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Safety Culture] Better Communication Connects

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 09:47:25 -0500

Episode 210: Ami Gignac & Katie Woodhall, Managing Partners at Sparrow Tale, chat with us about how better communication improves the connection between your employees and your safety message! This is an excerpt from e175, click here to listen to the full interview. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Shine a Light on Domestic Violence

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 14:50:18 -0500

Episode 209: Domestic violence happens everywhere and victims come in all ages & genders! Donya Buchanan & Amy Kelly of Safer Futures joined us to chat about domestic violence and give us a snapshot of how often it happens in the Portage County area. Click here to watch the video. Click here for more info on their 2021 Community Awareness Walk. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Safety Culture] Employee Engagement Creates Buy-in

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 10:37:21 -0500

Episode 208: Ami Gignac & Katie Woodhall, Managing Partners at Sparrow Tale, chat with us about how employee engagement creates buy-in and can help shift your safety culture! This is an excerpt from e175, click here to listen to the full interview. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Safety Culture] The Importance of Management Commitment

Wed, 26 May 2021 09:59:29 -0500

Episode 207: Ami Gignac & Katie Woodhall, Managing Partners at Sparrow Tale, chat with us about the importance of management commitment in regards to shifting safety culture! This is an excerpt from e175, click here to listen to the full interview. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Get Outside with Portage Parks!

Fri, 21 May 2021 11:47:20 -0500

Episode 206: Andrea Metzler and Jennifer White of the Portage Park District, joined us on Zoom to chat about their parks and the benefits of spending time outdoors! Click here to watch the video. Click here to get a free poster today. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Recharge Your Workers’ Compensation Program (Live)

Tue, 11 May 2021 15:09:47 -0500

Episode 205: This is a live recording of our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, February 25, 2021. The topic was Recharge Your Workers’ Compensation Program and it was presented by Debbie O’Connell & Wendy Sergent, Regional Managers, 1-888-OhioComp. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

How Stress Affects Anxiety & Rest

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 11:43:24 -0500

Episode 204: Joshua Hill, Therapist at Preferred Care Counseling, joined us to chat about how stress affects anxiety, rest, health, performance and more! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Rig it Right (Live)

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 10:04:11 -0500

Episode 203: This is a live recording of our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, February 11, 2021. The topic was Rig it Right or it Will be Wrong and it was presented by Al Abel, Lifting Specialist, Mazzella Lifting Technologies. Click here for a copy of the slideshow used or the handout mentioned. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Health Talk] Heart Disease Prevention (Live)

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 10:59:15 -0500

Episode 202: This is a live recording of a public service announcement presented by UH Portage Medical Center at our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, February 11, 2021, on Zoom. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Combating Fatigue in the Workplace (Live)

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 14:44:10 -0500

Episode 201: This is a live recording of our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, January 14, 2021. The topic was Combating Fatigue in the Workplace and it was presented by Dr. Bruce Hensley, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Celebrating 200 Episodes!!!

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 12:58:29 -0500

Episode 200: Mike & Nic celebrate 200 episodes and over 50 hours of original workplace safety & wellness content! Join them as they discuss this, the top 10 downloaded episodes and more! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Inspiring Safety] Creating Space for Employees to Grow

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 13:59:15 -0500

Episode 199: Safety specialist Katie Woodhall, Organizational Development & Leadership Advisor at Sparrow Tale, joined us to chat about how she inspires safety by creating space for employees to grow! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

What is Human Trafficking?

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 17:59:15 -0500

Episode 198: Mary Kate Waggoner, Education and Outreach Committee Co-Chair of the Summit County Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (SCCAHT), joined us to answer common questions and expose myths in regards to human trafficking. Check out EndSlaverySummitCounty.org or their FB page for update into. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Building Trust to Improve Retention

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 197: Dawn Yoder, CEO at Anderson Management, shares how she flipped one company's retention rate from 25% to 75% in just one year! Dawn is also a Global Priority Solutions consultant, check out their podcast, Living Like a Leader, available on your favorite podcast apps. Please note: this is an excerpt from e193. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

How to Build a Culture of Success & Legacy (Live)

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 10:58:43 -0500

Episode 196: This is a live recording of our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2020. The topic was The Power of Words: How to Build a Culture of Success & Legacy, and it was presented by Coach James Lovejoy, Streetsboro High School Assistant Football Coach & 2019 Streetsboro Citizen of the Year. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Avoiding Burnout During COVID-19 & Beyond

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:40:49 -0500

Episode 195: Dr. Kristen Dickerson, Statewide Health, Wellness, & Special Program Manager at the Ohio Center for Occupational Safety & Health (Ohio BWC), joined us to talk about how to avoid emotional burnout caused by social pressure during the pandemic and more! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Dealing with Others During the Holidays

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 09:41:31 -0500

Episode 194: Dawn Yoder of Global Priority Solutions & Tanya Miller of Anti-Virus Youth Education, joined us on Zoom and gave us some tips on how to handle people different than us during the holidays! Check out their podcast, Living Like a Leader, available on your favorite podcast apps. Please note: this is an excerpt from e193. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

How to Engage Gen Z at Home & Work

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 12:45:50 -0500

Episode 193: Tanya Miller of Anti-Virus Youth Education and Dawn Yoder of Global Priority Solutions, joined us on Zoom to talk about how to engage with Gen Z workers & family members. As a CEO, Dawn flipped a company's annual retention rate from 25% to 75% in one year by engaging employees better! She describes her experience starting at around 20:00. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

How Stressed are Your Employees?

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 12:08:33 -0500

Episode 192: How stressed are your employees since COVID-19? Does stress cause them to work unsafely? Should you talk to your employees about stress? In this episode, Mike & Nic answer these questions and more while discussing the results of a recent, eye-opening PCSC survey. Click here to watch the video or view the power point. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Ladder Safety for Work and the Holidays (Live)

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 15:19:24 -0500

Episode 191: This is a live recording of our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2020. The topic was Ladder Safety for Work and the Holidays, and it was presented by Dave Dennison, Safety Specialist at Flaherty Sales (Werner Co). For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Diabetes Awreness Month

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 13:15:27 -0500

Episode 190: Jodi Neu, Community Outreach Nurse at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, joined our Zoom meeting to talk about Diabetes Awareness Month and services they provide for the community. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Portage County COVID-19 Update (October 2020)

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 09:37:55 -0500

Episode 189: This is a live recording of our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, October 8, 2020. The topic was Portage County COVID-19 Update, and it was presented by Becky Lehman, Director of Health Education and Promotion, Portage County Health District. PLEASE NOTE: COVID-19 information is updated frequently, please visit their website for the latest update. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Safety Break] That Won't Happen to Me

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 16:29:02 -0500

Episode 188: In this episode, George Nelson, CSP encourages us to discover and lead people through "bulletproof attitudes." For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Get Outside] Enjoying Fall in Portage Parks

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 10:31:44 -0500

Episode 187: Jennifer White of the Portage Park District joined us to chat about the best places to enjoy the beautiful fall colors in Portage County, OH! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center. Photo of Morgan Park courtesy of Jennifer Robinson.

COVID-19: Unmasking A Novel Pathogen (Live)

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 13:42:40 -0500

Episode 186: This is a live recording of our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2020. The topic was COVID-19: Unmasking A Novel Pathogen and it was presented by Kristen Dickerson, PhD, Statewide Health, Wellness, & Special Program Manager, OCOSH-Ohio BWC. Click here to watch a full video recording of the her presentation. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Inspiring Safety] Celebrate Success and Leverage Autonomy & Innovation

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 185: In this episode of Inspiring Safety, we're joined by safety pro, Drew Garverick! We met Drew at OSC19 in Columbus where he participated on a featured panel discussing safety trends. He is currently an EHS/DOT Representative at PepsiCo and serves as the Vice Chair of the Education & Training Committee for the OSC & Expo. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Safety Break] I Am Because We Are!

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 13:24:41 -0500

Episode 184: "You are only as good as the people and the community around you!" George Nelson, CSP, allowed us to share his highly motivational safety talk. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Inspiring Safety] Morale is a Leading Indicator

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 14:15:57 -0500

Episode 183: Jarrod Tomassi, Safety Director at Mortenson, joined us to chat about inspiring safety and what he calls "the human interface!" In this interview he gives us a key piece. He said, "Morale is the #1 key performance indicator... in a safety culture." We couldn't agree more! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

Stay Cool! How to Reduce Heat Stress During COVID-19 (Live)

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 14:01:42 -0500

Episode 182: This is a live recording of our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2020. The topic was Stay Cool! How to Reduce Heat Stress During COVID-19 and it was presented by Shelly McCullough, Certified First Aid, CPR, AED Trainer, Swift First Aid. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Inspiring Safety] Consistency is Key

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 181: Matt Mohler, Facilities Director & Safety Manager at Delta Systems, Inc. in Streetsboro, OH, joined us to chat about how he inspires safety while reminding us that consistency is key for every safety initiative! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Inspiring Safety] Partnering to Solve Problems

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 180: Linda F. Martin, PhD, joined us to chat about inspiring safety and partnering to solve problems! Dr. Martin is the founder of The Soteria Society and currently serves as the Department Chair for Safety Programs (BS, MS, and PhD) at Capitol Technology University. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

A Closer Look: 4 Keys to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 at Home or Work

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 179: Dr. Kristen Dickerson, Statewide Health, Wellness, & Special Program Manager at the Ohio Center for Occupational Safety & Health (Ohio BWC), joined us for a post-presentation interview to take a closer look at COVID-19 and answer some of the tougher questions. Click here to watch a video recording of her full presentation from August 13th, 2020, titled, COVID-19: Unmasking A Novel Pathogen. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Inspiring Safety] Making Safety Fun

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 178: Justin Deflumeri is the Health & Safety Manager at Monogram Foods in the greater Boston area overseeing the safety of over 600 employees. He also serves as a member of ASSP's Executive Board. He joined us to chat about inspiring safety and how to make it fun for employees! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

[Inspiring Safety] Becoming an Industrial Athlete

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 177: George Nelson's LinkedIn videos inspired us to do an entire podcast series on #inspiring #safety! He joined us on Zoom to chat about having real conversations and how to start seeing yourself as an "industrial athlete" to ensure longevity. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today! Sponsored by UH Portage Medical Center.

2020 Program Updates & Annual Safety Awards (Live)

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 176: This is a live recording of our Annual Safety Awards Zoom Meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2020. In addition to the awards ceremony, we received updates from the Ohio BWC & the PCSC. Nic & Mike were joined by Steering Committee members Debbie O'Connell of 1-888-OhioComp and Renee Onesti of Kent Elastomer Products. Click here to view the video on You Tube. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

5 Ways to Shift Your Safety Culture

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 175: Ami Gignac & Katie Woodhall, Managing Partners at Sparrow Tale, joined us to chat about how to shift safety culture through management commitment, employee engagement, communication, training and consistency! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

5 Causal Factors of Workplace Injuries

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 174: When investigating the root cause of a workplace injury, many variables are typically involved and often overlooked. Join Mike & Nic as they discuss the 5 causal factors of workplace injuries. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

When OSHA Knocks

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 173: Pat McCon, Sr. Risk Engineering Consultant at Zurich North America, stayed over with us to recap his presentation and to give us some tips on what to do during an unexpected OSHA visit! Click here to listen to a live recording of his full presentation titled, Someone's at the Door - They're from OSHA! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Get Outside] Disc Golf

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 172: Scott Campbell designed "The Grassman" disc golf course at West Branch State Park! He called in to share about disc golf and courses throughout Portage County and NE Ohio. He's a member of the NEO Disc Golf Alliance, check out their Facebook Group for more info. Also check out the UDISC app which has a directory of over 10,000 disc golf courses! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Safety Crash Course] Machine Guarding Basics (Live)

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 06:00:14 -0500

Episode 171: This is a live recording of the 3rd of 3 Safety Crash Course - Part 2 presentations at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on March 5, 2020. The topic was Machine Guarding Basics and it was presented by Renee Onesti, Director of Engineering & Maintenance, Kent Elastomer Products, Inc. Click here to view the power point. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Get Outside] People are Friendlier at the Park!

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 12:32:57 -0500

Episode 170: Are people friendlier at the park? We think so! In this short excerpt from e156, Andrea Metzler & Jennifer White of the Portage Park District laugh with Mike about people being friendlier at the park than other places. Do you agree? Click here to listen to the full episode. Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, please adhere to social distancing guidelines as suggested.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help You Return to Work

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 169: Dr. Tyler Munn of Munn Chiropractic in Aurora, OH, stayed over with us after a recent workplace safety luncheon to chat about how chiropractic care can help you to both prevent workplace injuries and return to work much faster! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Get Outside] Hiking Sticks are Cool!

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 14:18:52 -0500

Episode 168: In this short & fun excerpt from e156, Andrea Metzler & Jennifer White of the Portage Park District talk with Mike about the benefits of using a hiking stick! Click here to listen to the full episode. Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, please adhere to social distancing guidelines as suggested.

[Safety Crash Course] HazCom & GHS Basics (Live)

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 167: This is a live recording of the 2nd of 3 Safety Crash Course - Part 2 presentations at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on March 5, 2020. The topic was HazCom & GHS Basics and it was presented by Matt Mohler, Facilities Director, Delta Systems, Inc. Click here to view the power point. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Get Outside] Ohio Mountain Biking Trails

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 12:37:53 -0500

Episode 166: Did you know that you don't have to go to Colorado to mountain bike?!?! Jim Olander, the Trail Director at the Cleveland Area Mountain Biking Association (CAMBA), joined us to demystify mountain biking and chat about trails in Portage County & throughout NE Ohio! Check out their Facebook page and/or Facebook community group! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Leading Through Changes at Work

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 165: Change is never easy but it is inevitable, especially in times of crisis! As non-essential businesses start to reopen, workers will be returning to some big changes. Join Mike & Nic as they discuss how to plan, lead, communicate & navigate through change. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Why Employers Should Promote Spending Time Outdoors

Thu, 28 May 2020 12:07:28 -0500

Episode 164: Research shows spending more time outdoors not only improves health but also focus, creativity & productivity! Should employers implement a #GetOutside campaign for their employees? We think so! Join Mike & Nic as they discuss this and more! For free employer related Get Outside articles, resources & campaign ideas, check out our For Employers campaign page. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Get Outside] Park Rx

Tue, 26 May 2020 10:06:38 -0500

Episode 163: Andrea Metzler & Jennifer White share about the Portage Park District's Park Rx program! Also, check out their new Remote Education Programs that were launched as a result of COVID-19. This is an excerpt from e156, click here to listen to the full episode. Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, please adhere to social distancing guidelines as suggested.

[Get Outside] West Branch State Park

Thu, 21 May 2020 15:46:09 -0500

Episode 162: From camping, hiking & boating, to disc golf and more, West Branch State Park has something for everyone! Park Manager, John Trevelline, joined us to talk about one of Portage County's most popular getaways! Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, please adhere to social distancing guidelines as suggested. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Get Outside] Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park

Mon, 18 May 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 161: John Trevelline, Park Manager of Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, joined us to chat about the wonder of Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park! Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, please adhere to social distancing guidelines as suggested. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Get Outside] Why You Should Spend More Time Outdoors

Thu, 14 May 2020 12:35:18 -0500

Episode 160: Andrea Metzler & Jennifer White of the Portage Park District, joined us to chat about the health benefits of spending time outdoors at least 120 minutes a week! Check out our new Get Outside campaign! Follow the links to get a free Portage Parks Get Outside poster or flyer today! This is an excerpt from e156, click here to listen to the full episode. Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, please adhere to social distancing guidelines as suggested.

Overcoming Loneliness During COVID-19

Mon, 11 May 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 159: According to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, "loneliness and social isolation can be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day!" As the COVID-19 crisis continues, we asked Jennifer Parmenter, Clinical Counseling Supervisor at Family & Community Services, Inc., in Kent, OH, to call in to give us some tips on how to overcome loneliness & avoid its deadly consequences! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Safety Crash Course] Bloodborne Pathogens (Live)

Mon, 04 May 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 158: This is a live recording of the 1st of 3 Safety Crash Course - Part 2 presentations at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on March 5, 2020. The topic was Bloodborne Pathogens Basics and it was presented by Brenda Allen, Certified Trainer, Swift First Aid. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Get Outside] Wild Hikes Challenge

Fri, 01 May 2020 09:10:09 -0500

Episode 157: Jennifer White shares about Portage Park District's Wild Hikes Challenge! Hike 8 parks or trails by the end of year and earn a hiking staff (1st year) and/or Wild Hikes medallion. What a fun way to explore all the great parks & trails in Portage County! This is an excerpt from e156, click here to listen to the full episode. Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, please adhere to social distancing guidelines as suggested.

[Get Outside] Portage Parks

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 156: Andrea Metzler and Jennifer White of the Portage Park District, joined us to chat about their parks, the benefits of spending time outdoors and the new Get Outside campaign with the Portage County Safety Council! Follow the links to get a free campaign poster or flyer today! Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, please adhere to social distancing guidelines as suggested.

[Safety Talk] Thunderstorms & Lightening

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 155: Here's some safety tips from Ready.gov on what to do during thunderstorms & lightening! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Safety Talk] Floods

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 154: Here's some safety tips from Ready.gov on how to prepare for and what to do during a flood! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Safety Talk] Power Outages

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 09:22:55 -0500

Episode 153: Here's some safety tips from Ready.gov on how to prepare for and what to do during a power outage! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Get Outside] 2020 Campaign Launch!

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 152: Are there advantages of spending more time outdoors? Should employers implement a #GetOutside campaign to their employees? Join Mike & Nic as they answer these two questions and chat about the Portage County Safety Council's new Get Outside Campaign with Portage Parks! Follow the campaign link to download a free campaign poster or flyer today! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Safety Talk] Tornado Safety Tips

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 09:48:58 -0500

Episode 151: Here's some safety tips from Ready.gov on how to prepare for and survive a tornado! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Celebrating 150 Episodes & More!

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 15:26:51 -0500

Episode 150: Mike & Nic celebrate 150 episodes and 33 hours of original workplace safety & wellness content! Join them as they discuss this and more! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

How Stress Affects Workplace Safety

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 149: Is stress really a safety concern? In this episode, Mike & Nic chat about stress before & during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it significantly impacts your workforce, even in regards to safety! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

How to Take Care of Your Mental Health During COVID-19

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 148: Jennifer Parmenter, Clinical Counseling Supervisor at Family & Community Services, Inc., in Kent, OH, called in to give us some tips on how to take care of ourselves and our mental health during the COVID-19 crisis! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Get Outside] Dix Park in Ravenna

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 147: Jennifer White, Education Program Coordinator at the Portage Park District, takes us on a hike at Dix Park in Ravenna, OH, for her very first Walk with Jen! Click here to watch the video on You Tube. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

Staying Active at Home During the Lockdown

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 11:16:49 -0500

Episode 146: Leslee Keegan of I'm Power Fitness Center in Ravenna, OH, called in to give us tips on how to stay active at home during the COVID-19 lockdown! Check out her Facebook page for more info today! For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Safety Crash Course] JSA & JHA Basics (Live)

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 145: This is a live recording of the 4th of 4 Safety Crash Course - Part 1 presentations at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on February 13, 2020. The topic was JSA & JHA Basics and it was presented by Debbie O’Connell, Regional Account Manager, 1-888-OhioComp. Click here to view the power point. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Health Talk] COVID-19

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 14:29:45 -0500

Episode 144: Becky Lehman and Ali Mitchel of the Portage County Combined Health District, joined us to talk about COVID-19 and what we can do to prevent it! Please Note: this episode was recorded on 3/18/20 and at the time of this publishing, state & federal agencies are providing updates multiple times a day. Please visit the CDC or coronavirus.ohio.gov for more up to date information. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Safety Crash Course] Forklift Safety Basics (Live)

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 143: This is a live recording of the 3rd of 4 Safety Crash Course - Part 1 presentations at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on February 13, 2020. The topic was Forklift Safety Basics and it was presented by Robert Campbell, Safety Coordinator, Viking Forge Corporation. Click here to view the power point. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

[Safety Crash Course] PPE Basics (Live)

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 142: This is a live recording of the 2nd of 4 Safety Crash Course - Part 1 presentations at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on February 13, 2020. The topic was PPE Basics and it was presented by Twilla Watson, Human Resources Manager, Hess Print Solutions. Click here to view the power point. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Safety Blast] Proper Handwashing Tips

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 11:36:44 -0500

Episode 141: Justin Rechichar, Program Supervisor from the Portage County Health District gives us some tips on how to wash our hands properly to prevent the spread of illnesses! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Safety Crash Course] Lockout Tagout Basics (Live)

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 140: This is a live recording of the first of four Safety Crash Course - Part 1 presentations at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on February 13, 2020. The topic was Lockout Tagout Basics and it was presented by Renee Onesti, Director of Engineering & Maintenance, Kent Elastomer Products, Inc. Click here to view the power point. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

School Bus Traffic Safety

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 139: Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO, called in to chat about how to stay safe driving in school bus traffic! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Practical Application of Electrical Safety (Live)

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 138: This is a live recording of our monthly workplace safety luncheon on December 12, 2019. The topic was Practical Application of Electrical Safety and it was presented by Karl Cunningham, Global Electrical Safety, Maintenance and Project Specialist, ES Squared, Inc. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Embracing the Long View for Safety

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 137: Do you abandon your new safety strategy too soon? In this episode, Mike & Nic chat about the diffusion of innovation model and what it means for safety! Here's a link to the Ted Talk mentioned in this episode. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Reboot Your Health (Live)

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 136: This is a live recording of our monthly workplace safety luncheon on January 9, 2020. The topic was Reboot Your Health and it was presented by Dr. Aubree Jones of Peak Family Chiropractic. Our members overwhelmingly rated this presentation "Excellent!" For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

The 6 P's of Workplace Wellness

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 135: We caught up with Katy Tombaugh of Wellness Collective, at the 2019 SCSC Wellness Conference in Akron, to talk about how employers can improve & develop their workplace wellness programs! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Stress Management 101

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 134: We caught up with Dr. Aubree Jones of Peak Family Chiropractic, at the 2019 SCSC Wellness Conference in Akron, to talk about stress! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Workplace Wellness] Mindfulness in the Workplace

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 133: We caught up with Jennifer Stefanak, Market Well-Being Partner at Mercy Health, to chat about mindfulness at work after her presentation at the Northeast Ohio Safety Expo! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Healthy Workers are Safer Workers (Live Campaign Launch)

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 19:32:47 -0500

Episode 132 is a live recording of our Healthy Workers are Safer Workers campaign launch at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on January 9, 2020. PCSC Manager, Mike Thompson, shares the insight from a recent survey that led to the development & launch of the campaign as well as the free resources that are available online aimed at helping employers promote & improve workplace wellness. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Bonus] Mirror Neurons: Hardwired for Empathy (Live)

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 10:44:32 -0500

Episode 131: Here's an excerpt of a recent live training on mirror neurons from trainer Mike Thompson. Although the training is addressed to workers in social services, it's relevant to all staff, especially those who provide one-on-one care, coaching or case management. We hope you enjoy this free bonus training! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Workplace Wellness] Small Changes Can Make Big Improvements

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 130: We caught up with personal trainer, Lisa Kelleman-McClain, owner of Build A Body Personal Training LLC, at the 2019 SCSC Wellness Conference in Akron, to talk about workplace wellness! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

January is Workplace Wellness Month!

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 10:02:14 -0500

Episode 129: January is Workplace Wellness Month at the Portage Council & Summit County Safety Councils! In this episode, Mike & Nic chat about the proven connection between health & safety as they outline the Healthy Workers are Safer Workers Campaign! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Safety Blast] Driving Safe on New Years!

Mon, 30 Dec 2019 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 128: Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO, reminds us to drive safe when celebrating New Years! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Celebrating 2019!

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 09:05:52 -0500

Episode 127: 2019 was another great year for the Portage Council Safety Council! In this episode, Mike & Nic take a look back and celebrate the impact & successes of the PCSC throughout the year! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Safety Blast] Christmas Driving Safety Tips

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 126: Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO gives us some tips on how to stay safe driving for Christmas! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Community Spotlight] Kent Social Services

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 18:39:18 -0500

Episode 125: Marquice Seward, Program Manager at Family & Community Services, Inc., joins us to chat about how Kent Social Services helps those in need this holiday season and how you can get involved! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

The Effects of Drugs at Work (Live)

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 11:41:26 -0500

Episode 124: This is a live recording of our monthly workplace safety luncheon on March 14, 2019. The topic was The Effects of Drugs at Work: Warning Signs & Prevention and it was presented by Dr. Amanda Burke, Prevention Specialist at Townhall II. Click here to view the power point used in the presentation. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Talking Wellness with Kay Frances

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 123: We caught up with Motivational Humorist, Kay Frances, after her keynote presentation at the 2019 SCSC Wellness Conference in Akron, to talk about workplace wellness! Michelle Francisco, Safety Council Program Manager for the Ohio BWC, also joined in on the conversation. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Improving Safety By Understanding People (Live)

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:26:30 -0500

Episode 122: This is a live recording of our monthly workplace safety luncheon on November 14, 2019. The topic was Improving Safety By Understanding People and it was presented by Mike Thompson, PCSC Manager. Click here to view the power point used in the presentation. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Safety Blast] Winter Driving Safety Tips

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 10:22:11 -0500

Episode 121: Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO gives us 9 tips on how to stay safe driving in the winter! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Health Talk] Diabetes 101

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 120: Mindy Gusz, Community Outreach Coordinator at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, gives us a crash course on diabetes and how to overcome it! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Behavior-Based Safety 101 (Live)

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 119 is a live recording of the "BBS 101...It's Not BS!" breakout session at the NE Ohio Safety Expo on Oct. 11, 2019. The topic was presented by Sarah Ghezzi, CSP, Industrial Safety Consultant, for Ohio BWC! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

[Safety Blast] Halloween Traffic Safety Tips

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 14:02:36 -0500

Episode 118: Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO, called in to share a few tips on how to stay safe in Halloween Traffic! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Ohio Fire Codes in the Workplace (Live)

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 117: This is a live recording of our monthly workplace safety luncheon on August 8, 2019. The topic was Ohio Fire Codes in the Workplace and it was presented by Lt. Jeff Coffee of the Kent Fire Dept. Click here to view the power point used in the presentation. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Why I Stay Safe Campaign Launch (Live)

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 06:00:00 -0500

Episode 116 is a live recording of our Why I Stay Safe Campaign launch at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on October 10, 2019. PCSC Manager, Mike Thompson, shares the insight from a recent survey that led to the development & launch of the campaign as well as the free resources that are available online aimed at helping employers integrate the campaign into their current safety program. For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Why I Stay Safe

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 17:08:31 -0500

Episode 115: What's your employees' primary motivation for working safe? It may not be what you think it is! Join Nic & Mike as they chat about the results of a recent survey that led to the launch of the Portage County Safety Council's new Why I Stay Safe Campaign! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!

Community Spotlight: Anti-Virus Youth Education

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 13:51:32 -0500

Episode 114: Anti-Virus Youth Education has positively impacted over 75 school districts and over 20,000 students! Based out of Ohio, they have completed leadership & character development workshops in 6 states, have been designated as a Best Practice by the Ohio Department of Education and their curriculum can be found in 16 nations! Director, Tanya Miller called in to chat about this exciting program making a difference around the world! Please share this episode with colleagues and friends who work in education today! For more information about the Portage County Safety Council, please visit our website today!